Weekend with Becca

Last weekend, I was so lucky and happy to have my good friend and surro-sister Becca here in Denver for a weekend visit.  We had an absolutely amazing time together!  We managed to do a few things around Colorado while she was here, but more than anything else, we talked.  Non stop.  You can read all about it here:

Becca and Jeni's Weekend

Becca is an amazing woman.  She's smart and funny, she's an incredible mother and wife and I'm so glad to have met her and created a life-long friendship with her.

Becca is preparing for their transfer next month and has written about their journey from the very beginning.  If you've not yet read her blog, you should.

It's informative.  It's funny.  It's just awesome - go read it. 

Their Pea In My Pod

Who is a Surrogate? The Woman Behind the Baby Bump

Who is a Surrogate?  The Woman Behind the Baby Bump
by Kayla Mossien

She's strong.  She's courageous.  She's powerful.  She is a surrogate.

Incredible women are out there, willing to make miracles happen through gestational surrogacy.  They
come from all walks of life - the stay-at-home-mom raising toddlers, the executive who loves being pregnant, the fertile woman who simply feels compelled to help a couple in need.  Their motivations and personal interests all vary, but they share a common thread.  Surrogates are human beings who are willing and able to do something incredible for someone else.  We thought we'd take some time to educate you on - and clear up some common misconceptions about - what it takes for a woman to be a successful surrogate.

She ought to be...

click here to continue reading

The Week - Thankful for...

After posting this post, I decided I would make a point to document as often as possible all of the things I've GOTTEN to do.  All of the opportunities I've had and the things I'm so thankful for.  In short, focusing on the positive.

So here you have it.  This week:

1.  I learned that I am lucky enough to be welcoming a new nephew to this world sometime this summer.  I'm so in love with him already.

2.  I've slept really well.

3.  I heard birds chirping first thing in the morning.  Signs of SPRING!

4.  I was invited to be a travel companion/support person for a good friend's upcoming transfer.  *SuPeR eXcItEd!* Blog post to follow.

5.  I slipped on ice and fell flat on my arse in the Target parking lot. Once on the way into Target and once on the way out.  Awesome.  Thankful for the fact that I wasn't badly injured.  And also for the fact that I am able to laugh at myself (after dropping an F bomb or two.)

6.  Dyed/decorated 60 (yes, sixty) Easter eggs with my girls.

7.  Bought a new pair of running shoes that made ALL the difference in my workout.  So much of a difference that I managed a brief jog in my very next workout - only for one minute, and not at a very fast pace, but RUNNING!    Did you hear me?!?! Running!  Who woulda thunk I'd ever be able to say that?  Not me.

8.  Aaaannnndddd......drumroll please.....one of those movies I thought I'd never have time for? Watched it.  Les Mis - totally worth the wait.

Happy week everyone.  What are you grateful to have experienced this week?

Talking With Others About Surrogacy

I receive many emails asking for help with talking to others about surrogacy. Women seeking advice on how to talk about surrogacy with family, friends and their community. I recently ran across a poll/advice post on Facebook regarding surrogates who choose to talk with others about their surrogacy journey and was saddened to see that many, MANY women choose not to share information about their surrogacy because of the fear that others will not understand or be supportive.  

There are misconceptions about what surrogacy is all about.  Society is often misinformed and even more often uninformed.  We, as a surrogacy community are a tight group.  We're extremely supportive of one another simply because we understand.  We get it.  It is a personal goal of mine to do my part to help others "get it." Won't you join me?

Some people are always up for an argument.  They have strong beliefs and would like nothing more than for you to feel badly about the fact that you don't share their beliefs.  Other people (usually close friends and family) are truly concerned for your physical or mental well being.  I have composed a list of tips - things that I've found helpful when speaking with others about becoming a surrogate or about surrogacy in general.  

Enter the conversation with strength and pride
It's difficult for others to find fault or want to argue with you if they can see how passionate you are about surrogacy.

Reassure them
Some people will likely be concerned for you, both physically and emotionally. This is understandable and acceptable.  Share with them that you've considered and researched both the physical and emotional pieces and that you are confident in your decision.  Provide them with plenty of information so that you can reassure them of your physical and emotional health.

Be open and knowledgeable
Not many people know about or understand how surrogacy really works.  Share with them EVERYTHING you know.  Show them what a beautiful thing surrogacy is. Address ALL of their questions and concerns calmly.  They will likely have a lot of pre-conceived notions and assumptions.  Let them know that you'll answer all of their questions - whenever they have them.  If you don't know the answers to their questions, tell them you'll find out.  You can refer them to places online where they can learn more about surrogacy.  Show them what surrogacy truly looks like.

Never become defensive or engage in an argument

This may be the most important piece of all.  If you stay calm, the other person is more likely to be willing to hear you speak.  That being said, it's ok for you to leave the discussion if the other person remains unsupportive.  If you leave with your grace and dignity intact, trust me when I say that you have made a HUGE statement to that person.  Most importantly, leave the conversation with the same confidence as when you entered it.  At the very least, you've educated, and education is half the battle.  

In order to have an impact on the current misconceptions, assumptions and lack of knowledge, we must be willing to talk about what it is we do.  Talking is a hugely important piece of society.  It's how we communicate and express ourselves, and talking plays a crucial role in educating others.  Don't believe me?  Just ask these two:

Question #1 What Exactly Do You Do For Circle Surrogacy?

In order to best explain to you what my job entails, we are going to play a little game of make believe. So if you'll please join me in putting on your imagination hats.  Mine looks like this:


Got your hat on?  Good.

Now let's pretend you're a potential surrogate. You've thought about it, done some research, you've even Googled it. (Good choice.  Google rocks.)  Your search will hopefully lead you here: Surrogacy Guide: An Introduction To Surrogacy  Once you've downloaded the guide, you have my contact information and are encouraged to contact me with any questions you may have. You'll also receive an email from me thanking you for downloading the guide, and introducing myself.  If you've got questions, I'm your girl.  You and I communicate back and forth, sometimes for an afternoon, sometimes for months.  If I do my job well, you'll feel excited about taking the next step - applying.

This pre-application communication is something I very much enjoy.  However, it may surprise you to know that this role is just a very small part of my job.  Each and every application that is submitted to Circle Surrogacy is reviewed and processed by yours truly.  Some applications cannot be accepted due to the requirements and guidelines set in place by the agency and the IVF clinics with which we work.  One thing I am extremely proud of is the fact that we send a response to each and every application we receive.  You're not left wondering if we received your application, if you've been approved or not.  You'll receive an email from me either way.  And you'll hear from me in a timely fashion.  Almost always within 24 hours.  

Since we're imagining, and I call the shots in my imagination, your application has just been accepted!  Yay!  I'm so excited for you!  You will receive an email from me welcoming you to our program.  I will have attached all the paperwork we will need from you.  It's a lot of paperwork, and I completely understand that you may be feeling overwhelmed.  Don't worry.  I'm here to help you through all of it.  I will be available to answer all of your questions and help to ease any concerns you may have about the process.  TOGETHER, we'll get all of your paperwork and medical records collected so that we can submit your file to our IVF physicians and insurance company for approval.  I do not work alone. There are several awesome women I work with who do an amazing job making this process run quickly and smoothly.  Once you are approved by our physician and insurance company, you have officially "graduated" from pre-screening and you and I tearfully say our goodbyes.  Ok, so maybe you're not tearful, you're usually pretty darn excited. You are now on to screening with one of our amazing social workers.  Screening is the last step before....MATCHING with intended parents!  

So there you have it.  My job in a nutshell.  Now repeat the above scenario a few times.  Well, maybe more than a few times.  As we speak, I am at one of the aforementioned stages with 156 surrogates.  No, that was not a typo.  One hundred fifty six.  I work a lot.  Some people can't believe the number of hours I work in a week.  They can't understand why I would be ok working a 10 hour workday, only to work some more at night.  They think it's crazy that I usually work 7 days a week.  They have the most puzzled look on their faces as they ask me, "WHY?"

Why?  Well that's simple.  Because I love it.

www.circlesurrogacy.com

J & J

This last weekend was one of the greatest weekends ever.  Simply because I got to spend it with Jesse.  I'm pretty sure she and I could have fun no matter WHAT we were doing.  We had a fantastic weekend and Jesse has posted about it.  Check it out.  (Especially if you're a Dog the Bounty Hunter fan.)  :-)

J & J's Weekend in Denver

A Day In The Life

~How I Am Adjusting to Life as a Working Mom ~

I wake between 6:45 and 7:15 every day.  Most days, no alarm is necessary. The first order of business is to check my phone for any work that needs my immediate attention.  You see, although it's still early here in Denver, the work day has already begun and is in full swing in Boston.  Boston.  Where you will find most of my co-workers working in the office.  

I get myself ready for the day while responding to emails here and there, and making sure Skyler and Savannah are all set and ready for their school day. Once they are school bound, I plop down at my desk and I get busy.  For the next 6-7 hours you'll find me:

Answering phone calls

Screening applicants

Chatting with potential surrogates about the journey and how rewarding it is

Realizing I haven't blogged in nearly a week

Gathering medical records

Sending welcome emails

Contacting former carriers

Making welcome calls

Realizing I MUST make the time to blog...I have readers for goodness sake

Attending meetings via phone

Making to-do lists

Following up with Physicians and Hospitals regarding medical records

Sending and responding to emails 

Forwarding paperwork to the office

Realizing I only have 10 minutes until I need to pick up the girls from school and I still haven't composed a new blog post.

On the way to pick up the girls from school, I'm making a mental list of all the things I didn't get a chance to do during the day.

Pick up my happy girls from school who always greet me with a smile. Love.

We tackle homework and get snacks, water bottles and lunches ready for the next day.  We attend our after school activities like dance, drama and tutoring for the elementary school's homework club.  Once we're home for the evening, we have some dinner and I spend a little more time working on the things I didn't get done during the day.  We usually try to catch up on some of our TV shows together.  

Around 10 PM, the house is relatively quiet and at least one of the kids is in bed. Skyler's a night owl, just like her mama, so sometimes she keeps me company. Late night is a good time for me to finish up work for the day.  Usually by 1 AM, the eyelids are getting pretty droopy and sleep is beckoning.  As I lay down and attempt to relax my mind, the thoughts that are swirling around in my head are:

I love my job.

I love that I get to work in this field.

I love that I communicate with surrogates every day of the week.

I love that I'm busy.

I love that I'm successful.

I love being a working mom.

September 1, 2012

It is September and this makes me very, very happy.  Why you ask?  Well.......

This super cool chick

The one and only...Jesse

is coming to Denver to visit me!

I'm just a teensy, tiny bit excited.  I have SO many fun things planned for us - I just wish she was going to be here longer. Sadly, I pretty much have to wait the whole month for her arrival, but still, it's within the month!  The countdown has begun.  27 days until Jesse and Jeni reunite for a crazy fun girls weekend!  Eek!

My Wife Was A Surrogate

The husband of a surrogate is a very special person.  He plays a very important supportive role in a surrogacy journey.  He is undoubtedly a kind, compassionate human being who loves and respects his wife enough to support her desire to help another family have children.

"My Wife Was a Surrogate"

Any guy who supports his wife through a pregnancy can expect a major reward: a baby. His baby. But what happens when that child actually belongs to someone else? One man shares his family's journey to help another couple have a baby and his wife's brave choice to become a surrogate mother.

Read more: My Wife Was A Surrogate Mother - Choosing To Be A Surrogate Mom - Redbook 

I'm always thrilled to run across any type of press that includes surrogacy, so as you can imagine, to see that there was a surrogacy article featured in this month's edition of Redbook Magazine made me a very happy girl.  I was, however, disappointed to see the cover of the magazine's promotion of the article.

"LET my wife".  Those words never sit well with me.  A marriage is a partnership, not a dictatorship.  Important decisions should be made together, as a family.  To state that you "let" your wife, who should be your equal, do something that is a dream of hers, does not indicate a partnership in any way. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that there are not many men who approach their wife with a dream or goal that they have, in the hopes that their wife will "let" them attempt to achieve that dream.  

It is quite possible that I was already feeling annoyed at the choice of words on the cover, but the first few things this husband said regarding his initial thoughts about his wife being a surrogate certainly didn't improve my mood.

"I would have to care for her and do all the stuff for her as if this baby were mine, and it's not,"


"I would be the one dealing with the hormonal aspect of it: the cravings, the moods, her getting really--excuse the word--bitchy. I thought about that too."

Yes, this husband is just being honest, and I can appreciate his honesty. However, it saddens me a bit to hear a husband place such an emphasis on how a surrogate pregnancy will effect HIM.  You see, above all, surrogacy is a selfless act. Pregnancy itself is a beautiful, meaningful, miraculous part of life. It can also be one of the more stressful, uncomfortable, intense moments of a woman's life.  A surrogate recognizes this, and assumes ALL of the risks that accompany pregnancy...for the sake of someone else. It's about doing something for SOMEONE ELSE.  Enduring your wife's--excuse the word--bitchy moments shouldn't be so big of a price to pay for being able to provide another family with the gift of children.


Now, lest you think I am just an angry, scorned woman, the article is actually a very positive one, telling the touching story of a wonderful family, Jeremy and Dawn Wallace and their 3 children, who help  a gay couple from Israel expand their family.  Jeremy IS a good man, who supports his wife and the surrogacy process throughout their sometimes rocky journey.  Upon meeting the men they had been matched with for the first time, Jeremy's eyes are opened to the beauty of surrogacy.

"I got to see how [Avishay and Avinoam] were as a family, to get a better look at their values and thoughts on raising a child," he says. "I got to see how badly they wanted another kid." Jeremy remembers watching the couple's son play with his daughters in their three-bedroom home and thinking how the two families really weren't any different. "At that point I said to Dawn, 'We have two people here who really want a baby, and we can give it to them. Let's do it.'"


When Dawn develops pre-eclampsia and has an emergency cesarean at 31 weeks, Jeremy helps to support Dawn and the babies until the parents arrive in Texas.

Jeremy and Dawn were the twins' legal guardians while they waited for Avishay and Avinoam to arrive. During that time, Jeremy took a central role in caring for the babies. "It was a lot of checking in on them, signing papers, and transporting breast milk back and forth," he says.

The Israeli fathers finally made it to San Antonio 48 hours after Dawn gave birth. "Jeremy was the first person we saw," recalls Avishay. "He ran up to us and welcomed us, and then led us in to see the babies."


Babies spent a month in the NICU but the story of course has a happy ending with 2 men who are finally able to take their babies home to Israel.


The Wallaces, who had never needed passports before, found themselves in Israel speaking about their surrogacy experience to a room full of gay couples. "It was the neatest thing ever," Jeremy says. They also got to spend time with the kids. "The last time we had seen them, they were so small," says Jeremy. "Going from that to these chunky little babies, rolls all over, it was awesome. I felt like they were my niece and nephew."

In the end, Jeremy proceeds to melt my heart when he reveals how he views his wife...post journey.

He discovered "a new level of selflessness in Dawn after watching her go through a pregnancy for someone else. It speaks a different volume." In the end, Jeremy was right about never being able to think of his wife in the same way after surrogacy: He now sees her as stronger, more generous, and braver than ever before.


I'd love to wrap up this post by encouraging all of you, many of whom have been a part of surrogacy in one way or another, to leave a comment sharing positive words or stories about the person who played or is currently playing the supportive role in your journey.  Let's celebrate our support systems.  They play an incredibly important role in a surrogacy journey.

Post #200! The Jeni Tour Itinerary!

Let the Jeni Tour Commence!

This trip is going to be fantastic in every way!  I will be visiting many places I've never been and having a TON of fun while finally getting the opportunity to meet some of my lovely blog friends in person! Thank you all for "inviting" me
   to your hometowns!

To begin, I will be leaving Colorado and heading Northeast!  

Illinois is a state I have not been to before, so I am excited about coming here!  My inaugural stop in the state of Illinois is bound to be memorable!  I'm going to get a taste for living the simple life. Carla lives on 10 acres of land in rural east central Illinois.  I plan to help out with the chores in and around their little farm house!  I would also like to try my hand at quilting!  I'm super excited to learn more about life on the farm, including the egg laying animals, and hopefully, she'll have her sheep and llamas by then, because them are cute!  :-)  Wait! Do llamas spit?  Maybe them aren't so cute.  Carla, I need to let you know one thing.  I am NOT, I repeat, NOT up for slaughtering chickens. Not now...not ever.  But thanks for the offer, love!  :-)  Before I leave, I think Carla deserves a little quiet time.  I'm sure taking care of 3 kiddos between the ages of 3 and 6 gets a little chaotic at times!  The kids and I will spend a long afternoon outside.  They will show me around the place...maybe teach me how to fish?  We WILL NOT slaughter any chickens, but we will have fun, while Carla takes a nap (a what?) or maybe fixes the quilt I surely jacked up.

Let's head North just a bit!  Chicago, here I come!  Chicago!  How could it possibly BE that I have not been here?   It sounds like Michael and I might be able to hit up lots of outdoor fun!  We'll catch some concerts and street festivals... and for sure we're going to go to the Taste of Chicago. Because
Food + Festival = Happy Jeni!  Michael's twins will have been born by then, so I plan to get my baby fix and send him and Derek out for a quiet evening while I watch the kids.  It's a win-win for sure!  They will undoubtedly bring me back something sweet (I don't know...maybe CAKE???) to thank me for watching the babies, and I will undoubtedly thank them for allowing me to change a few diapers and feed a couple cutie-patootie babies.  Chicago will be a hoot!  Yes, I just said hoot.

Now, apparently Jesse  doesn't think it's necessary for me to make a stop on the Jeni Tour to see her.  Jesse~  Just because I have a Real Life trip booked to come and visit you, doesn't mean we can't also play together in the land of make believe! Sheesh!  :-)   Plus, I'll be in Chicago for goodness sake!  That's just too close to you to NOT make a stopover! Since I know you don't want to share all of your juicy Real Life plans, we'll just plan on hangin' out in the beloved "Land of Cheese" for the Jeni Tour visit.  I know for a fact that this trip will involve a lot-a-bit of laughing.!  I mean, things are ALWAYS fun in the state of WIS-CAN-SIN, right?  You and Jesse will get the boot at least one night for a little break from the kids!  I'll play Mario Bros. with Elliot while the girls bake me a butt crack cake (Readers: Ask Jesse).  You don't think boy Jesse will  mind if the kids and I take a limo out for a little spin while you're gone, do ya? 

I'm now headed to Etters.  That's right. Etters.  Michelle has invited me to Pennsylvania!  I am proud to say that I have been to Pennsylvania before. However, I have NOT been to Hershey's Chocolate World...and I think that sounds DE-lightful! Think they offer free samples?  Michelle also says we can go to the Baltimore Aquarium and the Maryland Zoo which means I'll get 2 states for the price of 1! Michelle, can we also explore Amish country?  I think that would be fascinating to see.  Seeing as how Michelle is busy growing a giant baby for her IF's, I'm thinking maybe a little pampering might be nice for her as well.  Hmmm...I actually don't know if she'd rather have a night out with her husband, or a manicure/pedicure!  Michelle, let me know what you'd prefer.  And if you can get me free samples at Hershey, you can have both a night out AND a mani/pedi! Deal?  Deal. :-)

Now since I'm so darn close, I'll have to make a quick stopover in New York to see George, Farid, Milena and Gustavo.  I'm always excited to see the 4 of them and the awesome state that they live in!  I will for sure be kicking the guys out at some point so they can have some time for themselves while I take care of the babies!  I will gladly babysit...in exchange for an empanada. Ok...so maybe I'll gladly babysit without  reimbursement, but hey...those empanadas sure do make a girl happy! ;-)  Although I won't want to leave, (I'm never ready to leave this family) the Jeni Tour must continue and I know I'll be back to visit them soon.

Rebekah, I'm comin' for you, my dear! Next stop: Georgia.  Although I've never been to Georgia, this stop is all about Rebekah.  Poor thing has been on bed rest the last few weeks while she makes sure the twin girls she's carrying are nice and healthy before making their appearance. She never complains and deserves to be pampered...big time.  I'm thinkin' a mani/pedi is in order to begin with.  I'll also spring for someone to come to the house so she can get a prenatal massage.  All those hours on the couch have GOT to add up to a sore back and butt.  :-)  We'll play some games, talk (a LOT) and Rebekah will attempt to teach me how to cook, from the comfort of the couch.  I am really good at following directions, Rebekah, so hopefully I will be able to produce something delicious for us with your careful instruction.  I will leave Rebekah and the state of Georgia, knowing that I will be back after she's delivered so we can go explore the state together!

I am now headed to West Palm Beach, Florida to visit Ryan and Ruben.  This trip sounds like it's going to be delightfully relaxing.  We plan to ride bikes to Palm beach at sunset and walk the beach.  We'll top off our evening with some wine and baby talk.  Seriously, does it get any better than this?  I have warned them though, that it may require 2 glasses of wine, because I love talkin' about babies!  I am going to want to hear ALL about their journey, which is just beginning!  I'm really looking forward to the beautiful scenery, and wonderful company.  It'll be nice to have a great big dose of R&R before hopping on a plane for the L-O-N-G flight to....

Italy!  Danielle, you're a genius!  Although Danielle lives in Southern California, she figured since I am already lucky enough to get to go there quite often, she and I could travel to Italy to visit her IF's and surro-twins!  Um...twist my arm, Danielle!  :-) This is going to be great!  I plan to bring my "big jeans" for this portion of the tour.  Danielle and I will not only explore Italy, but we'll spend lots of time with her IF's and their babies.  She also suggests we let the guys have some alone time while we watch the cuties!  Sounds perfect to me! But Danielle, you've got to go along with the plan here....I'm pretending that all babysitting duties need to be reimbursed with deliciousness. What shall we have the guys bring us as a thank you for babysitting (yes, I know...the job was absolute torture for us, right?)  Pizza? Pasta?  Pastries?  Oh Lord. I'm salivating just thinking about it.  Get me out of this country before I have to trade in my big jeans for my "even bigger" jeans!  :-)

It's just a hop, skip and a jump to Australia! That's right!  I'm off to the land down
un-dah!  Saskia and I will be traveling, via their 1968  Mustang, through the rolling hills of South Australia. Barossa Valley to be more precise, which is covered in vineyards. I'm promised that we'll stop at each winery to enjoy all the tastes that the valley has to offer!  It sounds like the locals might be just as entertaining as the wildlife! Lol! Saskia, will we REALLY see kangaroos?  That would be pretty darn amazing!  Kangaroos are cute AND they don't spit!  :-)  Any chance you could hook me up with a koala while I'm there?  And by "hook up", I mean....well, hopefully you know what I DON'T mean....

I'm so excited to get to visit Australia and as I leave there, I plan to refer to every flight attendant on the plane as "mate".  I have to get as many "mates" in as I can, because in a few (many) hours, I'll need to be saying....

A-lo-ha!  Doug and Bill have graciously invited me to visit them in Hawaii.  Now, Doug didn't go into ANY detail about what we might do while I am there and I know exactly why.  It doesn't matter.  It's Hawaii. As Doug so accurately pointed out, "Hawaii. Enough said".  I have been fortunate enough to visit Hawaii before, although it's been far too long, and I'm itchin' to go back! The smell of Hawaii alone is enough to win you over but what I think I liked the most is that time slows down while you're there.  The weather is always, yes ALWAYS perfect and it's beautiful.  Stunningly beautiful, actually.  Although I am sure we will see plenty of the island, I also look forward to spending some time on the hammock Bill so enjoys!  If Baby Girl has not arrived, I'm happy to help get that nursery put together, and if Baby Girl HAS arrived, well then Jeni is more than happy to do diapering/feeding/night duties while Daddies catch up on their zzzz's!  Hawaii....ahhhhh.........Just THINKING about being there lowers the good 'ol blood pressure.

It seems I'm going to need to plan on spending AT LEAST a few days in British Columbia! Darshan has LOTS planned for us! I've been to Vancouver and Victoria before, but to experience it with a local...priceless! Sounds like we would have some terrific meals!  I'm excited to get to go back to Stanley Park!  We only drove through it back in the day, so it would be fun to explore more of it on foot!  I  L-O-V-E fireworks, so I plan to be there for the Celebration of Lights! We are then going to head over to Vancouver Island where I will get to re-visit Victoria.  I will force Darshan to endure a driving trip around the neighborhoods in Victoria, as they have some of the prettiest floral displays I have EVER seen.  We'll have fun visiting museums before we travel to the other side of the island.  In Tofino, we're going to have fresh crab and go whale watching!  Whale watching was one of the coolest things I have ever experienced so I'm thrilled to be going again with Darshan!  She's also talked me into massages at a luxurious spa...Now you're talkin', Darshan!  I'll have to come back during winter for snowshoeing, but I do enjoy myself some fondue...any chance we could still enjoy that before I leave? :-)  Only one more request, Darshan.  Could we PLEASE listen to Celine Dion the entire time I'm there?  I know you're a huge fan!  Lol!

Time to cross back over the border and visit Seattle.  Another place I've been to and loved!  Now Mike and Tony don't know I'm coming so Shhhh....don't tell.  :-)  I MUST see that beautiful little girl of theirs! Mike and Tony definitely deserve at least a day out together, and if I could talk them into it, maybe a whole weekend!  I know it would be excruciatingly hard for them to be away from Zoey for so long, but sometimes, as a parent, you have to take some much needed time for yourself, so that you can be everything you need to be for your children. Zoey and I would play and laugh and tell girl secrets to each other while her Daddies enjoyed some alone time. However, before I leave, I would really enjoy spending some time hanging out with Mike and Tony.  Simply because they are super cool people.

*Sniff!  I smell money!  Must mean I'm in Nevada!  I'm excited to spend some time with my girl, Jaime in her hometown of Reno!  It's the biggest, little city in the world!  Sounds like she and I will explore Lake Tahoe and Virginia   City!  And she must be planning on me visiting AFTER her surro-baby is born because she's tried to "bribe" me to come visit by telling me that her husband sells alcohol for a living!  This sounds a wee-bit dangerous!  2 girls hanging out at home, with an abundance of booze?  Lord help us!  I'm a light weight, Jaime...give me a wine cooler and I'm feelin' a little tipsy!  Lol!  I'm excited to hang out with her and her super cool family before packing up and heading home!

Sadly, my journey has come to an end.
But hey!  There's always the Jeni Tour 2013 to look forward to, right?
What an amazing experience this has been!

13 stops!  

4 countries!  

10 states!  

And countless people and experiences!  

This trip was a blast!  Thank you ALL for letting me visit!

The JENI Tour

The comments on my last post got me daydreaming.  

So let's play a game.

The JENI Tour.

Now Booking Select Cities.

Suppose that money and time were endless and I could travel the world visiting with all of my blog world friends.  Where would the journey take me?  What would I see and experience?

In the comment section below, let me know if you would like for me to make a stop in the place you call home.   Tell me what I would love best about the area you live in.  What would we do while I am there?  I'm pretty easy going...I'll be up for an adventure, or for just hanging out!  Whatever we end up doing during my stay, if you're pregnant, prepare to be spoiled and pampered.  If you're a parent, prepare to have a pretty darn awesome babysitter around. If you're neither pregnant nor a parent, what EVER will we do with all that free time! :-)

I look forward to creating an itinerary based on your comments. I am very excited to see where this journey leads me!  I hope to see MANY places, meet LOTS of new people and have TONS of new experiences.

The game starts now!

Featured Blog Of The Week

This week it was hard for me to decide which blog I wanted to feature!
And since I'm the boss, I choose TWO Blogs this week! :-)
Enjoy!

A birth story is always so hard to resist!

Read about Danielle's twin delivery just a few short weeks ago!

Their Lovin', My Oven

Equally touching is Mike's post about the changes in life once baby is home.
Mike hits on things that are very hard to understand until you've experienced it.

2 Baby Daddies