My family blog

I am not posting here anymore since my journey through Surrogacy is officially over. Feel freet to catch up with me over on my family blog.
http://ourhoffmannfamily.blogspot.com/

Mother's Day Update 5/08

I had a nice quiet Mother's Day with Kristopher! We went to church and he actually sat wtih me and then went out to eat at my favorite reasturant with a good friend and her boys. He gave me a pretty poem that he found. He had to explain what it meant since it was by Robert Frost it was WAY over my head!! LOL He found it in the Outsiders book that he is reading in class. Cotton was gone all weekend so it was just me and Kristopher!! It was a nice little weekend!

The twins are doing wonderful!! Getting big as you will see!! They have changed SO much since I saw them in March!! I just can't believe how big they are!! You would NEVER guess they were 5 weeks early!! And nobody can say they don't get fed!! LOL

They had a great Mother's Day!! They even thought of me on Mother's Day and send me a beautiful diamond tennis bracelet. Thank you boys!! I wear it every day!!!

I also got a call from Little Ms. Ella on Mother's Day, her little voice is so SOOOOO cute!! She wished me a Happy Mother's Day!! That was a message she left because I was working when she called, so I talked to her the next day and had a nice little conversation with her!! I can't wait to see her in a few weeks! Last time I saw her just for a few hours back in October while passing through the Atlanta airport, I had to buy her love LOL she was a little shy and didn't warm up until I bought her everything she pointed at in the little store :-) (ya do what ya gotta do right??) hehehehe Sarah says she is much more talkative and not shy like that now, so hopefully she will let me love on her when I get there!! Of course when I asked her she said she missed me!! LOL

No new pics of Ella because Sarah's camera is broken but here are some of the boys!! Warning the are HUGE!! :-)

Thank you again for the phone call and gifts and of course the pictures. I just love seeing how the boys are growing and hearing the sweet voices of my surrobabes!! It does the heart good!

:-)

Finally the birth story and our trip to see the boys...

Our birth story is not very long it happened so quickly. I guess things began to start the week of February 11th. I went to have my NST on Tuesday I think it was and I had been having a few contractions so the nurse decided to check me. She said I as a 3 at the time. (things are so blurry I believe thats what it was that day). My contractions were not consistant or real strong, but noticiable. I called Kristina and told her what the nurse said and she asked me to call my OBs office to see if I could get in the next day to see if my OB could verify what the nurse said and then Kristina would begin getting things together to get out here. She called her husband who was in Boston on a business trip to discuss what they should do and if he should leave the meetings early and head out here. Kristina decided to leave work that day and head up to Orgeon where they had purchased a house and planned on moving into later in the month before the boys original due date in March. So she packed up what they had left in CA and headed to OR Wednesday morning. I was able to get into my OBs office the next day and they did agree I was a 3 a and 70% effaced. I was still pretty high though. Suprisingly they sent me home although I was still having contractions off and on. I was suprised because my labors go very fast. My last delivery was in about 3 1/2 hours so. Wednesday was pretty uneventful for me just contractions off and on but nothing major. Peirre decided to leave the meetings early in Boston and fly to Chicago and drive down to St. Louis (I don't think he could get a flight into St. Louis). He flew in Wednesday night and since things were pretty uneventfull he spent the night in Chicago and then headed down Thursday morning.

I called Kristina Thursday morning when I began throwing up and having contractions. She called Pierre and had him get up and head down here. I headed to the hospital to be checked out. The contractions now were more intense and more often. When we got to the hospital they set me up in the observation room and checked me out. I was now a 4 still pretty high though. They gave me LOTS of fluids and they slowed down the contractions and they sent me home around 3:30 or so. AGAIN surpised!! I knew it wouldn't be long. Women know their bodies and I KNEW I would be back before the weekend was over. So they sent us home and told me to rest as much as I could. I had not eaten anything all day and was starving so we stopped and head a yummy steak and then went home and didn't move from the couch.

Pierre made it to town and brought the family some dinner about 6:30 or so. He didn't stay long he hadn't slept much the last few days and wanted to try and get some rest for whenever the big day decided to come. Little did we know it was only a few hours away! :-)

About 7:30 things started to change. I was online posting on a group I am part of (HI TO ALL MY WONDERFUL FTS FRIENDS) and I began having MAJOR contractions, the kind that make you you hold onto whatever is closest to you and cringe. I started writting them down, they were about every 8-10 minutes. And they HURT!!! About 8:15 I got up and got in the shower to see if that would help and partly because I knew it was going to happen and I wanted to be sure I was nice showered. The shower didn't help about 9:00pm I finally called my OB and told him (well his partner was on call) and he said to come in.

So I called Kristina and told her what was going on and that I was heading to the hospital. I told her not to call Pierre yet because I was afraid by some chance they would't keep me and I didn't want to wake him. We were on the way to the hospital and the contractions began to increase in pain and they were getting closer. At one point they began to be 5 min apart and Cotton said "Oh I don't like that, the last one was only 5 minutes ago" he stepped up his driving then. Which if you know my husband, he is NEVER in a hurry to get anywhere (and I'm always in a hurry LOL). For example after that stint of them being 5 min apart, my next one came 10 min later so he had slowed down, I told him to step on it and he said "why that last one was 10 min ago". I wanted to bop him upside his head!! LOL Mr. relaxed easy going.

Finally we get to the hospital and by the time they came and got me from the ER and took me down to OB they were 5 min apart and were VERY INTENSE!!! They put me into the same observation room I had been in earlier that day. I asked them why they put me in there and she said "well lots of people think they are in labor and they really aren't so we put you in here until we can check you out" I was like LADY THIS IS MY 5TH AND 6TH BABIES I KNOW WHEN I AM IN LABOR!!!!!!!!!! I kept that comment to myself but of course said it to DH when she left the room and rolled my eyes. She made the comment that the Dr. said if I hadn't changed since earlier (when I was a 4) that they were going to send me home with a pain shot!! I about lost it then, but again kept my cool! :-) Just prayed hard I was more than a 4 because this pain was not going to go away with a pain shot. So turns out a woman DOES KNOW HER BODY,:-) I was a 6, so they moved me into a regular labor and delivery room. Sometime during all this mad dash I called or someone called Kristina to have her call Pierre and tell him to get here. After that things became a little rushed, this was about 10:30 and the Dr. came in several nurses and the lab. The lab took my blood and I was told no Epi until they got my cell count back. In the meantime, they did an U/S to make sure they were both still head down which thankfully at the time they were, big relief to me as that meant they would let me deliver with no c-section. They started the IV and asked questions and I'm sure some other things but I don't remember what all happend, I do remember asking for something to dull the pain!! They gave me a shot of stadol and they did dull things for awhile. Not long enough though!! At some point everyone had left my room. Hubby went to find my 2 friends that had met us there but I don't think ever made it back to see me before delivery because things were going so quickly (my friends that is not DH he was there for delivery). My water broke while I was in there alone and I do remember searching franticly for my call button, I was kinda luppy at this point from the stadol so I'm sure it wasn't that hard to find I just couldn't focus LOL. Finally I found it and I said "my water just broke" in one second there were about 10 people in my room rushing around. I kept saying uummm please I need my epidural, don't forget my epidural LOL. What a pain I must have been LOL. I kept asking if Peirre was here yet and that we couldn't do this until he got here, they had to stop things until the Daddy got here. I swear I'm sure they thought I was insane LOL Ok lady we will just push those babies back up in there!! :-) But I wanted to be sure he made it!!

They took me too the OR to deliver which I had never done before, my regular OB delivered me in my regular labor and delivery room with the other twins. But his partner I guess wanted to be sure just incase we had to do a C/S. So they rushed me down there and switched me over to the table which I explained in my loopy state that I could not lay on that because I can't lay flat I can't breathe and I needed some more pillows to prop me up, so that was taken care of and over I went.(again what a pain I can be LOL) Once I was settled on the table Pierre walked in, I was so happy to see him. I didn't want him to miss this beautiful moment. I felt a little more relaxed at this point and felt like it could all happen now. But at this point still no epi and no blood reslults yet. I was worried because he checked me once I got on the table and I was an 8. AAAHHHH this is about 11 or a little after. I knew I had heard at some point it becomes to late to have an epi and I was scared to death I had passed that point by now. Dr. Lineberry was very good and trying hard to hold things off until we go the blood work. Those sweet nurses kept calling and asking if they were ready. FINALLY about 11:10 we got them and in went the epi. Unfortunatly little Maslin thought he would like to come shortly after that and the epi had not kicked in fully yet. At 11:19 little sweet tiny Maslin decided to painfuly for me make his way into this world, but after seeing that sweet little face it was worth every once of pain. He came out SCREAMING!!! He was just the sweetest little thing!!!

After oohhing and aaahhhing over him and daddy cutting his chord, it was now time to foucs on little Pierre still hangng out in there. I asked if they could give me a boost of the epi because I was still able to feel every little thing and I sure the heck did not want to expierence that pain again if at all possible. (I am a HUGE whimp when it comes to pain) So Dr. agreed and the sweet epi nurse came over and kicked me up a notch!! :-) Finally NO feeling!! As all this was going on the Dr. was messing around "up in there" and mentioned that baby B (Pierre) had turned transverse. What did this mean? I was begining to worry, but he said he would just hold on to his legs (thank GOD I got the boost I'm sure if I could feel his arm where it was that would not have been to fun to expeirence LOL) so he held his legs and waited for me to push I pushed and pushed, and it was crazy seeing what was going on down there. I could see in the reflection of the Dr.s glasses baby Pierre hanging out with his head still inside (sorry TMI) the nurses were telling me to push misty push come on harder do it again harder. FINALLY after some intense pushing baby Pierre made his quiet but grand apperance at 11:31 not screaming like his brother and was very limp when they carried him to the isolet. Big Pierre didn't even get to cut the chord. After some rubbing and o2 he came around and was screaming and PEEING!! They both received an 8 or 9 on both apgars. So everything was perfect!!

The whole time we were in the OR delivering the boys Kristina was able to be a part of it on the phone. After deliverying I was able to talk to her whlie still laying on the table and she was crying, she was so happy and so eager to see her boys. I feel horrible that she missed it all and I really did try to make it until Monday when she was scheduled to be here but her boys wanted to join this world a little before we expeced. I guess they just want what they want!! :-) I talked to Kristina several times while in the hospital and Pierre brought the boys to me while I was still in the hospital to cuddle and love on.

I was able to go home on Saturday morning, and the boys were able to leave on Sunday. Peirre brought the boys to my house before they flew out to go home to mamma. It was great to have more cuddle time and to let all my friends see the boys. (they call came over after church sunday, and my friend from way back when came all the way down from her home about 2 1/2 hours away just to see the boys) So thank you Pierre for allowing us that time. We all really appreciated it.

Since Kristina was unable to make it here I asked if she would mind video tapping the first time she saw the boys. Which she gracously did. Her friend laura and her kids and Kristina and Gabrielle went to the airport and waited for the boys to arrive.

I was able to see that video this week when we had a wondeful 5 day stay with Kristina Pierre and the kids. It was a great experience to spend time with them all together. I feel like my journey is now complete. Seeing them together as a family and seeing the love they share for these beautiful boys was wonderful. The love the boys have from family and friends as well is just beautiful to see. They are very lucky boys to have so many people in their lives that anitcipated their arrival. Gabrielle LOVES her baby brothers SOOO much!! She was always wanting to hug them or hold them and kiss them. First thing she always did after coming home from school was to kiss and hug her brothers and then a million times after that through the day. She really suprised me, I thought she would have trouble adjusting to them and she has done wonderful! WAY TO GO GABRIELLE!! :-) What a big girl you are!!

Our week started Tuesday, getting through that front door couldn't happen fast enough for me. The boys were sitting in their bouncys and I hugged Kristina and went straight for the boys, picked one up (can't remember which was first now LOL) and I didn't put them down the rest of the night. Allot of the time I had two in my arms. They are both so different and so beautiful. Maslin has big beautiful eyes and loves to talk to you. Pierre has a perfect little head and chubby cheeks and beautiful eyes. They both like to look around and are very intrigued by what is being said or what is going on around them. They look right at you when you are talking to them. Its like they can see right through you. They have the sweetest little cheeks to kiss!! So soft!!

I was lucky enough to get up with them three nights of the 5 that were there and spend some quiet time feeding them. They are SUCH GOOD BABIES!! They don't cry unless they are hungry or need a change, or if they loose their paci. They LOVE to be cuddled and baby pierre loves having his head rubbed. He was a little fussy after I laid him down after a middle of the night feeding and I just rubbed his litte soft head and he calmed right down and stopped fussing. Our last night there Maslin woke up about 15 min before my alarm was going to go off (4:45 am we had to get up and get ready to head to the airport) so I brought him in bed with us and he was perfectly fine, then brother thought thought he would like to come in and cuddle so I went and got him and he calmed right down when I laid him next to his brother and we cuddled for about 5 more minutes. Not sure when they ended up waking up to eat because they were still sleeping when we left.

It was so hard to say goodbye!! We had such a good time and Kristina and Pierre were so sweet with everything they did for us. We went on a boat cruise and to some water falls on Saturday, it was amazing the scenery at both places. It was so beautiful. I will include some pictures for you all to see.

Thank you so much Kristina and Pierre for your kindness through out the journey and beyond. You have been more than anyone could imainge. I am such a lucky Surrogate to have had wonderful expeiriences with IPs that a Surrogate could only dream off. I am thrilled and joyed to call you friends and thankful that you are all in our lives.

I want to take this time to say thank you to all of you who helped so much during my pregnancy. Of course Kristina for always calling or writting to check on me and doing whatever she could. To Cecil and Janette, Tom and Lori, Melissa, Melissa, Carla, kari, Sara and TJ, and all the others that I am forgetting that helped with Kristopher, food, calls to check on me and just the prayers which meant the most!! You are all truly wonderful friends and we are lucky to have friends that care so much. I know Kristina and Pierre appreciate all of it as well. Thank you thank you thank you!!

Well this is the end of my Surrogacy journey and my life as a surrogate. Surrogacy has been a huge part of my life the past 5 years. Its very sad for me to let it go and to not experience this again, but its time. After 5 surrobabes my body is done. Although my heart I don't think will ever be able to let go of the passion I have for this. God bless all of those that read this that have joined in the Surrogacy world and the heart that you have for others. May God bless you as he has me. I couldn't ask for more than what he has given me through my experiences. I am truly blessed to have been given this calling in life. To all of you IPs reading this that have experienced infertility and or surrogacy may God Bless you with the love of a child and if its through Surrogacy may you be blessed with a wonderful expeirence as I have had now. Thank you to all my friends through the Surrogacy world for all the love and support you have given to me through my 3 journies. My friends that I have made through this will be life long. Thank you to all my girls at WISS and FTS. May God continue to bless all of you through your journies and through out life!

Thank you again Kristina and Pierre!! I look forward to what the future holds for you and the boys and to follow that along for a lifetime. Lots of love!

Here is the link to see the rest of the pics from this weekend. http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=mistyhoffmann

Here is a link to the pictures Pierre took while we were there.
http://picasaweb.google.com/bossaert/MistySVisit

1 week from today...

We will be going to see the boys!!! We are all so excited!!! Kristopher is excited to go to the NBA game between the Trailblazers/Suns, Cotton is thrilled with some time off, and I am SUPER EXCITED to see the boys. Kristina called on Sunday to discuss some plans and said that I won't believe how big they have gotten and that little Pierre has a double chin he is getting so big!! :-) So last night (Im sure this dream had to do with her saying they are so big already LOL) I had a dream that we got there and that one of the boys was walking already and the other one was crawling, and one was smarting off at someone LOL, I was so mad that she had let them get so big in just four weeks, I had wanted them to be little and tiny and squishy and she fed them so much they had gotten all grown up in just four weeks!! What a dork I am!! LOL Just thought it was funny when I woke up and actually remembered what I had dreamed :-)

I was excited to find out there is NO sales tax in OR!! SHOP SHOP SHOP! :-) My friend Kari and I are going to see Oprah the week we get back from OR (March 26th) so I am hoping to find a cute out fit while we are in OR, we are also getting prof. pics done while out there of all of us, so hopefully I can find an outfit that will work for both!!! Kristina is so sweet and wants pics to put in their room of me and the boys and then of all of us together. I can't wait to see how those turn out!!

Well thats about it for now, check back after Easter for some cute pictures of our trip!!!

Tagged....

7 Things....
~The rules are to link the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours.
~Post the rules on your blog
~Share 7 strange/weird facts about yourself
~Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog
~Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

1. When I am on the phone I get some of my best cleaning done, no clue why but sometimes I can't just sit and talk on the phone....so I get up and go about the house cleaning things up.

2. My husband is 20 years older than me...most people find that strange/weird although we are use to it and so is everyone that know us. We have been together 11 years in may and married 7 in May. We met when he was 40 and I was 20, no not love at first site, but we fell in love and have been together ever since. Other than my son the best thing that has ever happend to me. He loves me like nobody else ever could and treats me like a princess!!

3. Ever since I was pregnant with my son I have had to have a pillow between my knees when I sleep.

4. I have had 6 children but only 1 biologicaly related to me! :-) And only one lives with me!!

5. Not sure how weird or strange this is but I am moody! My friend Kari says I have my "face" on when I am in a mood. She can tell over the PHONE when I have my "face" on LOL

6. My husband is the one that does the laundry in my family. I HATE doing it and we made an arrangment awhile back and now he does it and has ever since. (told ya he treated me like a princess) LOL

7. Not sure this is strange or wierd but maybe something allot of people didn't know about me, but I have always wanted more children but never could have them, always dreamed of a big family but when you marry an old man you gotta take the good with the bad!! HA HA :-) I went on to have children for others which filled my soul more than I could ask. This was what God blessed me with and this is what I have accepted. Helping other moms and dads fullfill their dreams is more than a mom could ever ask for.

http://revealedglory.blogspot.com/
http://mamablair.blogspot.com/

Going to see the babies!

Sorry its been so long since I updated. We found out that we are going to be going to see the boys from March 18th-23rd. We are all so excited. Once I return I will be able to write my birthstory. I just haven't felt my journey was complete yet, I want to be able to write what its like to see the whole family together. Thats part of the journey, so once I can see them all together and can have that closure I will be sure to get my birthstory our for those that have been wanting it. The birth was so fast that it won't be very lengthy LOL.

Kristina has been wonderful with calling and or emailing just about everyday (or I call and email). She said that Pierre is out of the priemee clothes and into newborns!! :-) Getting big already!

I can't wait to see them and kiss and love em all up!! :-) I even get to stay with them at night so that Kristina and big Pierre can get some MUCH NEEDED sleep!! I got to do this with Ella and I loved it. I just took the monitor in my room and Sarah and Paul were able to sleep. I am eager to do this with the boys too. Since there are two this time my good ole hubby may get to join in the fun!! :-) I'm sure he will be OVER JOYED at this!! LOL

Less than two weeks and we will be there!! I will be sure to get lots of great pictures and give a full account of our birthstory and visit when we get home!!!

Some pictures...

I haven't had a chance to write out my birthstory yet. My mom is here visting this week, so I haven't taken the time to sit and write it all down yet. But I will sometime next week. But i wanted to hop on here real quick and post a link to some pictures of the boys at home. Big Pierres dad Poppo is there with his girlfriend meeting the boys for the first time so there are some of him in the bunch as well. He is just the sweetest man you ever want to meet! Always made me feel like part of the family just as they all did!! I know he is so exicted to see those boys one of which is carrying on his name first name! You can tell he is a proud Poppo!!!

It did my heart so good to see Kristina with the boys in her arms!! I've waited 8 days to see that and it was well worth the wait!! Of course my over emotional hormonal self teared up!! :-) I'm so proud of what we all did together and too see the completion of their family all together made my heart beam!!

Here are the pics! Enjoy! :-) http://picasaweb.google.com/bossaert/BabyPictures222

The twins are here!!!

I can't sit here very long but I wanted to let everyone know who doesn't already that we had the twins on Valentines day at 11:19 and 11:31 pm. I will give all the details in a different post tomorrow or early next week. But I wanted to post a few pictures for everyone far away that wasn't able to come and see them. They are beautiful and just perfect in everyway!! A-who is now Maslin because he ended up being the smaller of the two was 5.9 18 1/2 inches B- who is now Pierre was 5.15 and 19 inches.

Thank you so much to all of you who sent such beautiful flowers. I will include a picture of all the flowers I got below as well. My room and now my house smells WONDERFUL!!! Thank you all so much, it means so much to know you are all sending your love and support!!!

Thank you to all of you for all your love and wonderful support, its meant so much to me and my family and Kristina and Pierre as well to know that so many of you have been so interested in our journey and all the love you have shown.

Update

Hello to all of you following Misty’s Journey! This is Kari writing. Misty went into the hospital this morning and I thought I would try and keep you all updated. I talked to her around 8 and she was feeling really nauseous, and felt that she was losing her mucus plug. She was also contracting. Somewhere around 9 she went to the hospital. I don’t have all of the details. I just got a text from her around 10:30. She is dilated to a 4 with a bulging water bag. Pierre is about 2.5 hours away. They were calling the doctor to see what he wanted to do. I will update again if I hear any further news. Please keep them all in your prayers.

35 week update

My Dr got called out right before seeing me OF COURSE!! So saw his partner, he agreed with everything from yesterday but I am a 3 now. I'm very swollen today for some reason, he said I could wear support hose to see if that helps, but I won't be doing that I sweat to death in pants don't think i will be putting hose on!!

I have had several contractions since the appt, with him checking me I think that just disturbed things in there!!

I just talked to Kristina, Pierre will be leaving Boston on a flight tonight into Chicago and then will either drive down tonight or in the morning depending on how I am doing once he lands in Chicago. Kristina is still deciding for sure on how to get here. They are looking at flights for her from OR. I want them to be here and don't want them to miss this special day, but also hate for them to spend all the extra money on getting here early and then nothing happen. I just feel so bad and am so over emotional about everything!! I just keep crying. So anyway I am on the couch and not moving until they are here safe and sound.

I will let you know when anything more happens.

NST Update

Well I am home from the NST!, I have been having a "leaky" feeling (sorry way TMI for Tom and Cecil :-) the leaky feeling came from effacing the nurse said, I am 70% effaced, -2 station, 2 cm dialated. BP was elevated a little, 136/96 and I'm pretty swollen today. But she said the dr said the babies look good on the monitor so unless I am in GOOD labor of course they won't keep me.

I called Kristina to let her know and of course she is panicking. Pierre is on his way (in the air) to boston. She hasn't talked to him yet. She wants me to see the dr to verify everything the nurse told me today and she said they will change their travel plans. I don't know if that means they will come here right away or what her plans will be exactly, I don't think she knows LOL. She doesn't fly, so I'm not sure what she will do, especially with Pierre across the country form her. The nurse said if I want to get things moving that I should walk and walk and walk, once the contrx start don't stop walking because then the contrx will stop. So once everyone is in place, and I get the ok from everyone that needs to be present at the delivery thats what we will do. LOL If I don't go in before that.

I have a 9:45 appt with my Dr in the morning to see what he thinks!! So I will let you know once I know more!!

***UPDATE SINCE I POSTED******

Just talked to Kristina, she changed her train reservations, the earliest she could get out of town is Saturday on the train, that puts them here on Monday night. We will be going to the mall to walk around all day on Tuesday ROFL!! Unless something happens before Saturday thats the plan for now. Pierres meeting ends Thursday but he can cut out whenever if I need him and be on the next flight out. Otherwise he will fly home and take the train with Kristina and Gabrielle on Saturday. So please pray they make it here in time safe and sound!!! And that these boys stay put until Monday night/ Tuesday morning!!!

35 week update and pictures

Well there really isn't much to update right now. My next appt is Friday. We will get to see if any of these contractions are progressing my cervix at all or if they boys have dropped down any at all.

All my NSTs have been going well. Nothing exciting there. The boys have been doing great on the monitor.

I will update again once I have my appt on Friday. I have two more NSTs this week as well so if anything exciting happens I will be sure to let ya know!!

Here are a few pictures of me today I will be 35 weeks tomorrow.

Another beautiful gift..

My wonderful friends sent me another thoughtful present today. I received a BEAUTIFUL pajama gram!! Included in the gift set was a soft comfy robe with my name stiched on the upper left corner, as well as pajamas with my name stiched on them as well and slippers to match. How sweet is that!! I can't wait to fit in them!! :-) They are super soft!! I have included some pictures below!! There is also a picture of the cute adorable packaging that they came in. The robe was in one and the slippers and jammies were in another!! I highly recommend this company as a gift for a loved one. The jammies are so soft and so is the robe!! http://www.pajamagram.com/

Thank you again for such thoughtfulness Kristina and Pierre!! I know you think what I am doing is a huge deal, but to me and I would think most other Surrogates, its something that we are PASSIONATE about and something we couldn't imagine not being apart of. We are HAPPY and DELIGHTED to do this for you and all the other parents out there that have received the joy of a child this way. We don't expect anything in return. The ONLY thing we want in these journeys is to see you with your child/children and the love and joy on your faces. Thats truly the reason we do what we do!! But I do appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for me during this time!!

Belly comparison

This is a picture of me now with these twins and from the first set of twins I had. For those of you that didn't know me back then and think I am HUGE now (TOM!!!!) you can see how much bigger I was before. :-) (blue shirt now, stripped shirt then)

Why I don't do to much these days....

I just thought you might like to see what happens when I am out and about for to long. Today was a LONG day for me, considering I have been on the couch the last few weeks and not moved to much. Today we left for the Drs appt/u/s/ and NST at 10:00 didn't get home from that until after 3. I was home for a little bit then we left to go to Walmart to get stuff for our Superbowl party and some groceries. Kristopher took some of the list and so did Cotton so it wasn't all that long we were in there maybe half an hour to 45 min. Then went to Kristophers basketball game again not really walking a whole lot but not sitting with my feet propped up. The pictures don't do them justice but here are my legs and feet. As I as sitting at the game I could just feel them swelling in my shoes and my shoes getting tighter. My hands are really swollen too, I haven't worn my rings in a couple of weeks now!! :-( I can't wait to put those back on. I hate being pregnant and not having a ring on my finger!!

My ankles aren't near as bad as they were when I was pregnant with the other twins, but today was the worse they have been this pregnancy. My calfs and feet I think are the worst!! Just so you know I was 115-118 before this pregnancy, so my legs are not normally big. So this is HUGE for me!! LOL (you can see my belly in the way in the first one) :-)

33/34 week check up!

I will be 34 weeks on Monday and today we had a great appt. Everything looks wonderful with the boys!! MASLIN is HEAD DOWN!!! YEAH!!!!! He was breach last time!!! They are head to head down low!! They both look great and are growing just like they should be. Pierre (baby A) is 4.14 and Maslin is 4.11. Right on target Dr. C said!!

He checked me and I was not dialated anymore from last week and I was still high. So thats good. That meant no medicine for contractions which is good!!! My b/p was great 123/71. Nothing more exciting to write about!! We didn't get any really good pictures. And since there was a snow storm my hubby took me and so the disk that I take and all the pics get put on was left in my car. So Julie my oh so wonderful u/s tech said just to bring it nxt time and she will put all of them on the disk from this week. So sorry no pics, but there weren't any good ones anyway. Their faces are towards my back and Pierre is squishing Maslin so the only good one we got was of Pierres but cheeks and his little dinky doo!! :-) He likes showing that off for all to see!! One of them even had their hand "down there" :-) .

I am now having NSTs 2x a week. Those really stink!! I was hooked up today from 12:40-2:20 or so. I was so uncomfortable. So now I go for those every Tuesday and Friday!! Fun Fun!! :-)

Thats it for now, will update more when anything happens!!

Nice gift and a belly picture

I received a really sweet gift today from Kristina and Pierre. Its a beautiful picture frame from Red Envelope. The little plaque at the bottom says "With all our Love! Pierre and Maslin". Those are the names they have chosen for the boys. Pierre (daddy) is of course French (how can you not be with Pierre as your name) :-) His father is Pierre as well, I'm not sure how far the name goes back exactly, and then Maslin is French and means "little twin". Their full names are Pierre Andrew-William and Maslin Joseph Patrick. Kristina sent me why they chose each of their names and I have included that here.



Pierre Andrew William Bossaert

Pierre (Self Explanatory), Andrew named after a BEAUTIFUL young man who died at age 18, a friend of mine on the board who is embarking on GS now after losing her son - HE ALSO HAPPENS to have MARCH 3rd as his bday - there is a NEW LAW ON THE BOOKS AFTER HIM CALLED ANDREW's LAW in Maryland - ALL schools and sporting events have to have AED's (defibilators) because of the law his parents had passed after he died). I wanted to honor him and his Mother Rita who is AMAZING!! William, My Dad's Name - (Adopted Dad)



Maslin Joseph Patrick Bossaert

Maslin French, meaning the "twin", Joseph (my Bio Dad's Name) Patrick After my Aunt Pat (BIO) WHO WAS AN AMAZING WOMAN - Saved THOUSANDS of animals from the slaughter house and recently passed away



Joseph her bio dad has recently passed away suddenly. So sad!! :-( So what a wonderful honor for him.

So thats the story of their names! Here is the picture, it came from Red Envelope and was wrapped beautifully!! She sent one for me and one for them to take back with them. We will put the boys hand prints in them and a picture of all of us together as well!! What a special gift!! I will treasure it always!! Thank you both SO MUCH!!! The picture doesen't really do it justice its really shinny and just beautiful! Here is a link to Red Envelope where she ordered it from, you can see how the boys hand will be put on there. It comes with a special little something for their imprints http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=45908&refPg=endeca_srch&N=0&Nr=searchable%3A0&Ntk=search&Ntt=baby+keepsake&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&initSrch=search&oid=20682295&nc2=1



I also had to include this belly picture of me. I know I posted one earlier this week, but today is the first day I have really been dressed and out of the house since Saturday, I had to take Kristopher to the dr. he got sick yesterday and still running a fever etc.. today, so anyway I just bought this sweater a few weeks ago, and its my first time wearing it. I put it on and its so tight and I just started laughing at how HUGE I looked so had to post it for ya! :-) I am 33w3d.



I have allot of pressure and still have contractions, but other than that and being tired I am ok. Just really been laying low and not doing anything but sitting on the couch and the occassional getting up to go to the bathroom and making lunch and supper. I have my Drs appt tomorrow with an U/S so I will find out how big the boys have gotten and also find out if I have dialated anymore. I will write more tomorrow!!! So check back again tomorrow!

32w4d Belly Pictures

Just wanted to hop on real quick, I finally remembered to take some belly pics. So thought I would post those for ya!! Still been trying to take it easy. Thank you to everyone who has offered to help and or brought stuff over or taken Kristopher to and fro, or gone and got things I needed. We really appreciate it all. With Cotton not being home very often its nice to know we have such good and caring friends that are there when we need ya.

The more the days past the more tired and sore and uncomfortable I get, so the couch has been my best friend and I think there will be a permanent indention of my huge butt after all this is over!! :-)

I know Kristina and Pierre appreciate everything you all have offered and or done for us as well. They are so eager to get out here themselves!! I know they wish they were closer!! But are back home getting ready for their two little boys to join their wonderful family!!! I can't wait to post pics of all of us together once they get here!! And of course of the boys!!! :-)

They have decided on names for the boys not sure I can post on here yet or not, so I will ask permission first then will let you know next time I hop on here. Pierre's family is from the french speaking part of Belgium so they have chosen french names. I will give you some hints, one is a family name and the others meaning is "little twin" can anyone guess?? Those that know you are out of the game!! :-)

OK here are the pics! Next appt is a week from today, I will post about it when I get home!!

I had to share a funny story...

This is a story about my 13 year old Kristopher and what he has told people about me lately!! I was cracking up when I heard this so just had to share!

Monday night I explained to him that the Dr had put me on some restrictions and that I really had to take it easy and I would need his help. I explained to him that when you are pregnant your cervix is suppose to stay closed until you are ready to deliver and that they want to protect the babies if the cervix starts to do what they call dialate. I explained that I am 32 weeks pregnant and the dr would like the babies to stay put until 36 weeks, but that I am already starting to dialate and I am a 1 1/2. I told him that to deliver you have to dialate to a 10. So I tried to show him with my hands an example of what I am and what you have to be. Maybe it was to much info, but he's gotta know in the future anyway when his wife starts having babies so what the heck why not expain it now right?? He's old enough to understand!!

Ok so yesterday we go to Dollar General after school because I need some Dog food and tylenol pm, so Kristopher and his friend Craig go in for me to pick this up. Well Craig comes out and says they don't want to sell the tylenol pm to them, he said Kristopher was explaining to them about me so hopefully they would sell it. Soon after out comes Kristopher with the merchandise. He gets in the car and explains that he tried to tell the lady how I was on bed rest and that I was starting to get bigger "down there" and I couldn't get out of the car!! I about died!! He said I couldn't remember what it was called though mom. I can just see him in there trying to explain it to her. He said I didn't want to have to come out and tell you that you had to come in because I knew then that wouldn't be pretty at all!! LOL Think he knows how I can be sometimes? LOL It was to funny!!

THEN today I was talking to a friend from work, well two friends from work acutally and they both said they heard I was on bedrest. I asked how one had heard and she said our big boss told her and the other said that Kristopher told her at school (I work at Kristophers school) she said he came through and she asked how I was and he said that I was on bedrest and that my I was opening up "down there" ROFL my boss was standing there and asked "her cervix" and he said yeah yeah thats it. LOL It just cracks me up to think of my 13 yr old son talking about me "opening up"!! Maybe I shouldn't have explained the details of it!!

So I just had to share I thought grandma would get a kick out of her oldest grandson and so would the rest of you!! :-)

32 Week Update

Well today I am 32 weeks!! I had an NST done at the hospital before my Drs appt. The boys were VERY active while on the monitor, they kept kicking it and moving away from the little doppler. But they passed their test with flying colors!! So then off to the Drs office. Of course we were there for an hour before we were seen, but finally Dr. C came in and checked me and measured me. I am dialated to a 1 1/2, but my cervix is nice and high, which suprises me because of the pressure I have been feeling, but thats good.

My contractions have been increasing this past week which is why I'm sure I am dialated already. They seem to be consistant for awhile to where I am timing them, and then they go away. Idealy we would like to get about 4 more weeks in. SOOOOO Dr C said "I hate to say bed rest, but....." so now I am on the couch permanantly :-(. He didn't say strickt bed rest but VERY LIMITED activity. So here I sit.

I had a one of my mini melt downs once i got home and had time to digest it all. I just am worried about taking care of everything. Kristopher is old enough to take care of himself, but I just hate having to rely on him for so much. I take care of my nephew 6 days a week and it really is more helpful to have him here than not, he is 4 and LOVES to help me with everything. So when I need something he is always happy and willing to get it if he can. The most I would HAVE to do for him is make him lunch, and I don't think that little time on my feet is going to hurt me much. Cotton isn't home much during the week so he won't be here much to help out. He is gone tonight through Friday this week. He is going to talk to his boss about being in the area more until after I have the babies. So hopefully that would take the load of Kristopher a little bit.

So thats it for now!! My next appt is on the 1st and I will have an u/s that day as well. So I will have pics to post for ya !!! Will update again with anything that might go on between now and then!

30 week pics

Just thought I would hop on and post a few belly pics. I am 30w2d today.

I went and had a WONDERFUL massage today. A friend recommended this lady and she was great! Just what the dr. ordered LOL. I also bought a package deal from her, you buy 4 massages you get the 5th one free, so I did that with the 1/2 hour massages. So I am set through 36 weeks right now. I go every Wednesday at 1pm :-)!! I could have laid there all day long!!!

Bored....

Today has been a crappy day. Haven't moved from the couch much except to go to the restroom or make lunch. My back and stomach has just been horrible today. I called a massage therapist that was recommended by a friend but she hasnt called back yet. I wish I knew why this one spot on my back was so bad and why it reaches around to the front top of my stomach. I know it all has to do with the babies growing etc.... but its just this ONE spot on my back right underneath my shoulder blade. You would think with my lower back problems (I had surgery on my lower back several years ago) that would be where all the pain is but its not its this spot higher up. If I'm not on my couch with pillows propping me up all over I hurt. It hurts to ride in the car, to sit in a chair with out my pillow, to sit in a booth at a reasturant anywhere I am other than my couch it hurts :( I have AT LEAST 8 more weeks to go from today, i will go crazy sitting here for 8 weeks. How do you ladies do it with bedrest? Im not on bedrest but it sure feels like it somedays.

I can't stand up long enough to make dinner with out being in alot of pain!! So its fast food all the time and all we have here is McDonalds!! GAG ME i am so sick of McDonalds!!!! I got up off the couch about 11 to make me and Dillon (my nephew) lunch and thats when it started today. I had been resting on the couch until then and I get up for 10 minutes or so to get lunch and my back starts hurting and hasn't stopped!! UGH!! So to stand up to make a real dinner I can't even imagine. I don't remember it being this bad in my previous pregnancies.

Ok enough complaining from me. I really try not to complain because this is something I choose to do and its something I WANT to be doing. But people keep asking me how I am doing and how I feel so I thought I would just write it all down. Over all things are great and I am lucky to be having such a healthy pregnancy and that the boys are doing so well and growing at rapid speed. I am thrilled to be pregnant and helping this wonderful family, so I guess I'm not really complaining just answering questions people keep asking :-). And besides I am sitting here bored and I have nothing better to do! LOL

30 week u/s and OB appt.

My appt went well today!! They boys are nice and big A is 3.5 and B is 3.7. I have 8 more weeks before he will induce if I don’t have them before that. I would LOVE to do this on my own that pit is HORRIBLE, but we shall see. If I keep having contractions like I have been today they may just come on their own!! LOL Everything else looked good! The nurse tried to tell me I was 10lbs heavier than what I was until I said WHAT when she announced it. LOL she re-checked and stated the right amount LOL. Still not a pretty site!! BP was good 106/70 I think.

I start NST twice a week starting the 21st before my next OB appt. An NST is just when the put the babies on the monitor to watch for contractions and movement and heart rates, just makes sure I’m not having to many contractions and everything is going ok in there. Then I have my next u/s on the 1st of Feb. So that’s its!! Nothing to exciting!!