tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42196191177847110082024-03-13T11:46:43.717-07:00A Surrogate Mom's JourneyThank you for visiting. I hope you will frequently visit and follow along with my journey as a surrogate mother. Being a surrogate has been something I have considered since giving birth to my first child in 1993, as a single parent. But where to start, how to do it, how do I protect myself from surrogate scams, etc were factors to consider. Well 13 years later...I am going to be someone's surrogate!A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-75092988084524649532024-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:002024-01-01T21:00:00.261-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2024 - HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY!!!<p><b><i></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqwT6X6jkHNZT4FeLUezzTWJ9rTtkYLr8pya6a-nn77DX8ScZzLX1r2DTEvLok50dpPhEoudU7igwfJomnRlPiUJc7zUD567mr0nC2MVS3HjoDhlkJQB8KXFl9dSVLiF5doiZhwWWzs2xygKBujWYg-v7C9cstBsmOng1rhEZjNFXEngTcxcJbRNXeW1m/s960/351025288_640360134808546_7979722987479979022_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="960" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqwT6X6jkHNZT4FeLUezzTWJ9rTtkYLr8pya6a-nn77DX8ScZzLX1r2DTEvLok50dpPhEoudU7igwfJomnRlPiUJc7zUD567mr0nC2MVS3HjoDhlkJQB8KXFl9dSVLiF5doiZhwWWzs2xygKBujWYg-v7C9cstBsmOng1rhEZjNFXEngTcxcJbRNXeW1m/s320/351025288_640360134808546_7979722987479979022_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><p></p><p><b><i>You know what time it is???</i></b></p><p>That's right! </p><p>16 years ago at this time, 11 pm cst on January 1st, 2008, my water broke... thanks to Baby B, nka Ru! </p><p>Some things that I can still remember 16 years later and how I remember it...</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ru thinking I could have the Triplets naturally</li><li>Ru read in this book that I should gain about 25#s per child</li><li>The Fertility Statue in the window, peeking through the blinds</li><li>Little sweet moments between Ru & Miguel</li><li>Eating Korean BBQ</li><li>Surrogacy Retreat</li><li>Ru taking Kaitlind, Charlie and I to Disneyland</li><li>Getting pregnant with 3 guys (none being my husband) watching... oh and the fertility statue!</li><li>Seeing three babies on the screen and watching them grow in my belly</li><li>This day 16 years ago when my water broke and then waking Kaitlind up to let her know we were leaving for the hospital... she thought it was time to go to school!</li></ul><div>Finally the memory of the Triplets being born. First Xia, then Ru (the one who wanted out), and Zhen. :) Their cries. I got to "see" them a few seconds after birth and then they were taken away by each of the teams. My only regrets was not holding the babies. I did get to see the triplets a few years later and give them big hugs.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here I sit, loving this time of year, wishing all the love and happiness to Ru, Miguel and Triplets. I am excited to see how it goes with the Triplets driving... more for Ru & Miguel, that is. 😂 I think the driving thing was the hardest for me with my 4 kids... can only imagine how it would be with 3 kids at one time! 😂 </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;">Happy Sweet 16, Xia, Ru & Zhen!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-size: medium;">May all of your wishes and dreams come true!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Much love and hugs,</div><div>A Surrogate Mom</div><p></p>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-12905284200460897972023-01-01T21:00:00.004-08:002023-01-01T21:00:00.150-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2023 - HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY!!!<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>It's that time!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">15 years ago at this time, 11 pm cst, on January 1st, 2008, my water broke... thanks to Baby B (Ru) wanting to get out!!! The nurses were telling me that I was not having the babies and that my water did not break... tests don't lie. lol Whatever but I knew and thankfully the doctor listened and did an ultrasound before leaving. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Like I said my water had broken and 5 hours later ... 3 healthy babies were born at 33 1/2 weeks... Xia (4:05 am cst), Ru (4:09 am CST) and Zhen (4:12 am cst)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo68h8eaPeZn5wFnQQSKi5AiYZfSE260ngntJU6VZMFIZZSddy-JfwGgz0J0pvCHBfIe9pSvmxsSJdNuemzW7_HpDhTaLo0yZhw1cT4jpljspBN8rmeBAC2hxUtveIMsn3ZItuNtRxDEboeXOa9bILUj3xxZ4CRRLA0p72lt9ApG1K2RC_z1IyieaxVA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo68h8eaPeZn5wFnQQSKi5AiYZfSE260ngntJU6VZMFIZZSddy-JfwGgz0J0pvCHBfIe9pSvmxsSJdNuemzW7_HpDhTaLo0yZhw1cT4jpljspBN8rmeBAC2hxUtveIMsn3ZItuNtRxDEboeXOa9bILUj3xxZ4CRRLA0p72lt9ApG1K2RC_z1IyieaxVA" width="192" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Zhen, Ru, Xia,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wish you all the best things in the world. I know that you will celebrate with plenty of love, laughter, food and gifts! Have the best 15th birthday celebration with your friends & family!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Love Always, From MN,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)</span></div><p></p>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-51276026524498206102022-01-01T20:56:00.006-08:002022-01-01T21:01:27.889-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2022 - HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY!!!<p><b>FOURTEEN YEARS!</b></p><p>2008 - 2022. Then. Now. LOVE.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwzW4K-vNDW-vaQFR5wop3xukZLwBFo-3uJOHIQHsu5lVahaZAZlbYvKFL2uTz0Stqe_TrAfmDqSBxS4_a7FcVmN_vDHRCF57bdEd8DQ48D_rzi5qpkYlPYqMLCm3aip5iwnoz-1V5BrZ61w5k9CGs75l5gflxHtod4FDdWc-HhFL6aHwnX_ePTnWOcw=s604" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwzW4K-vNDW-vaQFR5wop3xukZLwBFo-3uJOHIQHsu5lVahaZAZlbYvKFL2uTz0Stqe_TrAfmDqSBxS4_a7FcVmN_vDHRCF57bdEd8DQ48D_rzi5qpkYlPYqMLCm3aip5iwnoz-1V5BrZ61w5k9CGs75l5gflxHtod4FDdWc-HhFL6aHwnX_ePTnWOcw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJK1n8xK1l-5DDd_vwdmTyBpeFLOcfG2dFoSYDJwo82lmf9wg0HyWXWFy27a9IN9B0i4TtukGH4lTpHi5OnPLdGlxsyoCGpfVapdnX6Emw39Vau1utm5kGDVXV2A9pMDcL4ezzofaoHMwhbVSYIPMueZTggGRqgu2w7IUH7ClG65T_6HZl3o5v5MRK6g=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJK1n8xK1l-5DDd_vwdmTyBpeFLOcfG2dFoSYDJwo82lmf9wg0HyWXWFy27a9IN9B0i4TtukGH4lTpHi5OnPLdGlxsyoCGpfVapdnX6Emw39Vau1utm5kGDVXV2A9pMDcL4ezzofaoHMwhbVSYIPMueZTggGRqgu2w7IUH7ClG65T_6HZl3o5v5MRK6g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Well it's almost time....</span></div><div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">On this day just 14 years ago, January 1st, 2008 at 11 pm cst my water broke. Baby B n/k/a Ru decided it was time! And 5 hours later, 3 healthy babies were born...</span></div><div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"></span></div><div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.49px;">AT 4:05 AM CST...XIA WAS BORN!!!</span></div><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.49px;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.49px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">AT 4:09 AM CST.... RU WAS BORN!!!</span></span></div><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.49px;"></span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.49px;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.49px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">AT 4:12 AM CST.... ZHEN WAS BORN!!!</span></span></div><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.49px;"></span></div><div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"></span><br /><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"></span></div><div style="background-color: #66bb33; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.49px; text-align: justify;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY, Xia, Ru & Zhen! May all your wishes come true! </span></div><p>Love You!</p><p>A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-7380997373830422972021-01-01T21:00:00.001-08:002021-01-01T21:00:07.601-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2021 - HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY!!!<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A year ago when I was in LA for Christmas, I was able to visit with the Triplets, Ru & Miguel. I am loving the Facebook memories of that time and knowing that I have those to look forward to every year... until our next get together!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Crazy realizing that 15 years ago on Dec 31st, 2005, I was thinking about doing surrogacy for a family not related to me. 13 years ago at this time of my post, my water broke (thanks to Lil Ru) and the journey in my belly was coming to an end!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a few hours (like 5 hours, lol), Ru & Miguel will have not ONE but THREE TEENAGERS! These last 13 years have been incredible for me to watch them grow up from this...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz__CQ6ESnhv1rWy-9IYa51d3Pev9u85A8soXjHE2rJJFYIPjURDjDAseQGMA_VrcnBv1TZO-TkPZrTy5AFfKdRzuU1RJSkTrMMQa3pDoDmXOD2EP5lOv47yBka0hMWJ8MI2XcPznUjVh8/s604/12072786_10206694744181257_4042542749117612134_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz__CQ6ESnhv1rWy-9IYa51d3Pev9u85A8soXjHE2rJJFYIPjURDjDAseQGMA_VrcnBv1TZO-TkPZrTy5AFfKdRzuU1RJSkTrMMQa3pDoDmXOD2EP5lOv47yBka0hMWJ8MI2XcPznUjVh8/s320/12072786_10206694744181257_4042542749117612134_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">to this...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q8LLzQJH28RdwggEVLT_mxynoP3-KExc6tuuBDRwzPmF65XoRuqS7O5feexhr-C1_67s-CFdWj-X1GXPrikkk_fVteS20aLSfWK4BLskeye09aFsq-FYCZzgzD2m7q53DRNa35XvVWdc/s960/122904425_10223429688984137_8310119070465628494_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Q8LLzQJH28RdwggEVLT_mxynoP3-KExc6tuuBDRwzPmF65XoRuqS7O5feexhr-C1_67s-CFdWj-X1GXPrikkk_fVteS20aLSfWK4BLskeye09aFsq-FYCZzgzD2m7q53DRNa35XvVWdc/s320/122904425_10223429688984137_8310119070465628494_n.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">almost 13!!!</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">And, like I said, in 5 hours the Triplets will be THIRTEEN YEARS OLD!!!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Happy 13th Birthday, Xia, Ru & Zhen!!!</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am truly Blessed & Grateful for being able to see you three and your dads via social media! I look forward to visiting sometime soon! I hope you all have a wonderful birthday!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp65TcZ1PwInumizUsEuzZgopZHnz8TG2xb2oQNyd1S7wVsV2XGUHL1VhVcp4A_PnyIF9f7VgPeXddvw2zMFBJsqkppyI2FQJPpwoohqpzxfVKuYSY7pJSf_dACJPiXiYqz5ZE2jAUL_W/s960/134717652_10221785684925344_3979555659490327665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp65TcZ1PwInumizUsEuzZgopZHnz8TG2xb2oQNyd1S7wVsV2XGUHL1VhVcp4A_PnyIF9f7VgPeXddvw2zMFBJsqkppyI2FQJPpwoohqpzxfVKuYSY7pJSf_dACJPiXiYqz5ZE2jAUL_W/s320/134717652_10221785684925344_3979555659490327665_n.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Picture from their Christmas Card)</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana;"><b>Miss & Love you Stevens-Ortiz family!!!</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana;"><b>Love Always from MN,</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>A Surrogate Mom</b> (Kerri)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-89697578185220730022020-01-01T20:57:00.000-08:002020-01-01T21:14:56.527-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2020 - HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I look forward to this day, as it is my day to reminisce of the days that led up to a very special one, January 2nd, 2008.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dec 31st, 2005 I was chatting online with a friend (Kate Powell) and she tells me that she is filling out an application to be a surrogate. She sent me the link and I signed up too! My application was completed in January 2006. On April 13th, I received a Potential Match and on April 14th, a single guy at the time... said YES. We met in May and confirmed the match. After three attempts at IVF, the triplets were conceived!!! The rest is history (and documented in this blog, lol).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">July 2017 was the second time that I got to see the triplets since they were born BUT the first time that I ever got to hug them. I was not sure if I should hold them after they were born and then the nurses didn't think it was wise. :( So I am thankful that Ru & Miguel kept in touch and I got to watch the triplets grow up on Facebook! They came to Minnesota that summer to visit the hospital that they were born in... and to meet me! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">December 2019, I found out that my two oldest adult children purchased tickets for the kids and I to spend Christmas in California. My oldest daughter, Kaitlind, lives just 28 miles from the Triplets. So you bet, we got together. It was so great to see them and HUG them all!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Emma 15, Charlie 18, Kaitlind 23, Me, Xia, Ru, Zhen</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well it's almost time....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On this day just 12 years ago, January 1st, 2008 at 11 pm cst my water broke. Baby B n/k/a Ru decided it was time! And 5 hours later, 3 healthy babies were born...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;">AT 4:05 AM CST...XIA WAS BORN!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">AT 4:09 AM CST.... RU WAS BORN!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.49px;"><span style="font-size: 14.49px;">AT 4:12 AM CST.... ZHEN WAS BORN!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY, Xia, Ru & Zhen! May all your wishes come true! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was wonderful to see you last week! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HUGS!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ru & Miguel, I am so happy we all got to spend some time together while we were in town. Love your beautiful family!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sending LOTS OF HUGS & LOVE from MN!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)</span></div>
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A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-1869410193474605872019-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:002019-01-01T21:00:01.703-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2019 - HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY!!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: "roboto" , "helveticaneue" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: "roboto" , "helveticaneue" , "arial" , sans-serif;">“It takes a village to raise a child is an African proverb which means that it takes an entire community of different people interacting with children in order for a child to experience and grow in a safe environment. The villagers would look out for the children.“</span></blockquote>
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Above is from Ru & Miguel’s beautiful wedding 4 years ago in December!<br />
It is beautiful to see Ru, Miguel and the Triplets surround by a village of their friends and family. There is an incredible abundance of love and happiness here.<br />
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Every year, just before 11 pm CST, I make my blog entry wishing the Triplets a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Eleven pm CST is the time (eleven years ago) that my water broke for Baby B. Thus began the final part of my journey as their surrogate. Nurses tried to tell me that my water had not broken because their high tech tests said so. Thankfully I refused to go and the doctor ordered the ultrasound to reassure me. THANK GOD, right?! This is when they rush me to deliver the babies! :)<br />
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At 4:05 am CST on Jan 2, 2008, Xia was born, followed by Ru at 4:09 am and then Zhen at 4:12 am! I am crying as I write this... as always... I can remember their cries and seeing them first before each baby was taken away with their team of nurses. And here they are with their dads today...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq7slSj-2zzSqCVKYrvCE6F3C2ufoX8Bt08EjsrfhWUbEU_cphDaAK9OEjRaXVvqmpq3XNkho-bLaM94W8b6DTx-sH792M_DhsxsEYgaMfJk0viukMQTUmanz7a9uc9905koUKwYCFNaj/s1600/D8AC7D86-5776-43C5-80E9-F92C90002821.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAq7slSj-2zzSqCVKYrvCE6F3C2ufoX8Bt08EjsrfhWUbEU_cphDaAK9OEjRaXVvqmpq3XNkho-bLaM94W8b6DTx-sH792M_DhsxsEYgaMfJk0viukMQTUmanz7a9uc9905koUKwYCFNaj/s320/D8AC7D86-5776-43C5-80E9-F92C90002821.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Happy “11th” birthday, Xia, Zhen and Ru! </div>
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It’s amazing how much you have grown since I got to see you the Summer of 2017! You three are so truly blessed and I thank God for letting me help bring you into this world for your Dads! Hope you have a wonderful birthday!<br />
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Miguel & Ru, you are amazing parents. Sending LOTS OF LOVE & HUGS from Minnesota!!!<br />
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Love Always,<br />
A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-46985281245643548542018-01-01T20:58:00.001-08:002018-01-01T21:47:04.390-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2018 - HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY!!!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The Triplets first 2 weeks of life were spent in very snowy, very COLD, very friendly Minneapolis, MN..."</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ten years ago on this day and time it was 11 degrees, just saying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today at this time as I write this, it is 11 below ZERO. Nevertheless, it was COLD then and now. I still can recall Ru showing up at the Court House in Hennepin County with a jacket lined with wires and a remote going through security! To us in MN, that is pretty funny. For those of you who did not get this... he had a heated jacket! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year was so special for me because for the first time after carrying them for 33 1/2 weeks, I finally got to HUG the Triplets! I am not the children's biological mother but I am the birth mom. I saw each baby as they took them out of my belly and cried happy tears. I didn't hold the babies, but then I never held my own (until they were cleaned up, lol). I realized later on that I would have been ok and wished that I had taken a few moments to hold each baby to say good-bye. Their dads mentioned that they would bring the kids to MN when they were older so they could see where they were born and to meet me. So thankful and blessed to have that time with them this summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we started this journey together, Charlie and Kaitlind were able to fly out to California with me for our first transfer. That was a lot of fun, especially because Charlie was in Kindergarten at the time and Ru was a Kindergarten/1st Grade teacher. Emma was too little. She is 3 years older then the Triplets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you, Ru & Miguel and Triplets, for always remembering me and I am so thankful for Social Media. I have enjoyed watching your family grow over the last 10 years! You are amazing parents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Xia, Ru, Zhen,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A VERY HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Much Love & Hugs & Kisses,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kerri</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Surrogate Mom</span></div>
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A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-88660582861168480372017-07-02T12:32:00.004-07:002017-07-02T13:01:25.258-07:00JULY 2ND, 2017 - MINNEAPOLIS, MNMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA....THIS IS WHERE IT BEGAN...<br />
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9 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS AGO<br />
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Which WAS 114 MONTHS AGO<br />
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Which IS 3.469 DAYS AGO<br />
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The date was... January 2, 2008. The Stevens-Ortiz's family became a Family of 5... The Triplets were born... healthy and ready at just 33 1/2 weeks! Not bad for Triplets. My work of growing and keeping the Triplets safe in my womb had come to an end.<br />
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I am very proud to be their Birth Mom. In our contract, I chose no contact after other then a request for a picture Christmas Card every year because I knew I'd be curious as to what they looked like. (Mind you, I am not their Biological Mom.) Having been adopted at birth, I always wondered who I looked like. So I am thankful that their parents allowed me to change my mind because it has been incredible to watch them grow up... thanks to Social Media. I know too that their dads wanted the Triplets to know about me, so that truly is a blessing.<br />
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The Triplets are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved. I am thankful that I was chosen to be the one to help bring them into this world. I am not sure if I publicly shared this in my blog but one thing I really wish I had done after the triplets were born was to hold them and have closure. I am not sure if closure is what I'm trying to say but there was an emptiness (for a little bit) from not having that opportunity. I assure you, it was NOT post-partum depression. It was more like something I needed to do for myself. I did go on to do another surrogacy and the family let me hold their baby after he was born... and I was totally fine. I guess you just never know how you will feel in this situation until it actually happens. It's the chance you take. <br />
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Honestly, I'm not sure if "emptiness" is what you call it because I know through being in contact since the Triplets were born, my life has been full of joy and happiness watching them grow up, being loved by a Village of Family & Friends. Maybe it was just one of those times where you think...I should have but now I know for next time.<br />
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I have to get going now... shower and get ready. The kids and I are going to have dinner soon with the Stevens-Ortiz Family! I anticipate LOTS of hugs!!!<br />
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Love, Hugs & Kisses,<br />
Kerri - A Surrogate MomA Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-13697738830965880362017-01-01T20:58:00.000-08:002017-01-01T20:58:02.195-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2017 - HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been 9 years gone by. The memories still strong in my heart. This is my story exactly 9 years ago at this very minute....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My water broke for baby B at 11 pm on Jan 1st. An hour later DH and I made it to the hospital. Wasn't having any significant contractions. Was hooked up to monitors and stuff. They did a test 3 times that came back negative, meaning my water never broke. LOL well there is NO way I would have pee'd like that on accident! And the nurses were telling me that their tests are quite accurate...best on the market. OK whatever. So they were going to send me home...but do an ultrasound before I went. So DH calls the IP to tell him false alarm b/c I knew that he probably didn't listen to me when I said to wait about flying out until I heard from the dr. lol DH said he did make a flight but couldn't get out until 6:30 am his time (which was 8:30 am our time). Anyways...the gal was having a hard time measuring fluid for the babies...the dr comes in and says baby B has no fluid....Prep her for surgery. LOL what? You just told me I was going home and we told the IP it was false alarm. ROFL So then I was super bummed b/c I was thinking I'd be going to Bingo that Saturday! lol DH called IP back and said it was time...for real! By this time, I think it was 2:30 am?? I think it took over an hour to get prepped and stuff.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just like that...9 years ago on January 2nd...with 3 Teams of Nurses waiting...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">AT 4:05 AM CST...XIA WAS BORN!!!</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="color: #333333;">AT 4:09 AM CST.... RU WAS BORN!!!</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="color: #333333;">AT 4:12 AM CST.... ZHEN WAS BORN!!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can still see images in my mind of the babies as they came out. So beautiful and healthy. To watch them grow up through pictures and videos on Facebook has been a blessing. The Triplets and their Dads are the luckiest people in this world, surrounded by many friends and family who love them dearly. <span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love you all....Xia, Ru, Zhen, Ru & Miguel!!!<br /><br />Happy 9th Birthday, Xia, Ru & Zhen!!!<br /><br />LOVE, HUGS & KISSES!!!<br />Kerri - A Surrogate Mom </span><br />
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<br />A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-61044164288170191582016-01-01T20:50:00.001-08:002016-01-01T20:50:33.849-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2016 - HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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EIGHT YEARS AGO...I was laying in the bottom bunk of the kids' bed...the only bed in the house that was comfortable sleeping on at the time...<br />
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EIGHT YEARS AGO AT 11 PM CST...I either PEED in the kids' bed on accident or my water broke!!!!<br />
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EIGHT YEARS AGO....I realized it was time...bag not packed!!!<br />
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EIGHT YEARS AGO I was calling Ru to let him know I was on the way to the hospital, then Chuck calling Ru to tell him it's a false alarm and then Chuck telling him again that it wasn't a false alarm and they were rushing me to the OR....<br />
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EIGHT YEARS AGO AT 4:05 AM CST...XIA WAS BORN!!!<br />
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EIGHT YEARS AGO AT 4:09 AM CST.... RU WAS BORN!!!<br />
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EIGHT YEARS AGO AT 4:12 AM CST.... ZHEN WAS BORN!!!<br />
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That Day EIGHT YEARS AGO ON JANUARY 2ND....God Blessed Ru & Miguel with 3 BEAUTIFUL BABIES!!! And what a wonderful journey it has been for me to watch the triplets grow...watch all 5 of them and their family and friends... (lol sounds a little stalkish, doesn't it?!) I can only imagine the journey it has been for you, Ru & Miguel!!! I have enjoyed watching your beautiful family grow. It brings tears of joy to see pictures of the triplets from birth until today!!!<br />
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I love you all....Xia, Ru, Zhen, Ru & Miguel!!!<br />
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Happy EIGHTH Birthday, Xia, Ru & Zhen!!!<br />
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LOVE, HUGS & KISSES!!!<br />
Kerri - A Surrogate Mom <br />
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<br />A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-83218487602936888582015-01-01T21:06:00.002-08:002015-01-01T22:58:00.605-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2015 - HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">SEVEN YEARS!!! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I can not believe it's been SEVEN YEARS!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Ru & Miguel... First of all....CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEDDING!!! I am so happy for ALL of you! The perfect family in my eyes!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The kids sure are growing up. It's fun to read back on my blog about our journey and now your journey!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Please give the Triplets a huge hug from me!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love you Ru, Xia, Zhen, Ru & Miguel!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HAPPY SEVENTH BIRTHDAY, RU, XIA, ZHEN! AND HAPPY "BIRTH" DAY TO ME!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HUGS & KISSES</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kerri, A Surrogate Mom</span></div>
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A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-11709958241788321292014-01-01T21:09:00.002-08:002014-01-01T21:13:09.003-08:00JANUARY 2ND, 2014 - HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY!!!!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SIX YEARS AGO TODAY...around this time, it happened! And right now I have tears in my eyes as I think about this special day that means so much to me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My water broke and 5 hours later, THREE BEAUTIFUL MIRACLES WERE BORN!!!</span><br />
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Xia- (pronounced "sheeya") was born first at 4:05 am and she weighed 4 lbs. & 9.7 oz. measuring 18 inches!</span></span></strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153439398641220162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37nDu3U0dBNGDNm1lSW643SlGOLJpaUmu-AgK3xQuDnpgW0y6S-S7y63Zp8rC9UoXFCF-JX_mdPDry-pITknNphuiWLdhuV7Ifbe9cYIcYQuMl7m-TxQEGqmeDGvGJF8OsI9o9opDnBw/s200/Baby+Xia.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 8px;" /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong><br /><span style="color: #3333ff;">Ru- came next at 4:09 am and he weighed 4 lbs. & 1.6 oz. measuring 17-3/4 inches</span></strong></span></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153439699288930898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGmR8YYQhCKDt1MQBmo-X5PZ_n6UgyGtk1SOsHV7TFOXNoyKfo-y7hKORlF-UZG2YhzfQYluLWiPSXzK4A62E5nUwmNeqT0rI0PJz0b0-UJ_Eqp_Tsng1xrrlSk2iWAwEKM_RQsOi7xs/s200/Baby+Ru.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 8px;" /></div>
<strong style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zhen- was last at 4:12 am and she weighed 3 lbs. & 15.7 oz. measuring 18 inches</span></strong><br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153439703583898210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkExDoEiSsR8ro1KGUJVDlwckO53jQ0idMV1aP5uuS9PTBB5Uk-TMKGnzW9TR9iNzNDC3Avcy1a2rY6I3l0FSFltBw17rSmkLgmWaNH4mxqUOYJNQgHev1LRMVRTQLd7I4dgQbm7nrM2E/s200/Baby+Zhen.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 8px;" /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND SIX WONDERFUL YEARS LATER.....</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ru, Xia, Zhen</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ru & Miguel, I can not thank you enough for letting me continue to be part of your family. To watch your beautiful family grow has been such a blessing! The children and you are so loved and blessed by your family and wonderful friends! You are truly the best parents in the world and are the true meaning of what a real family is today! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love you Ru, Xia, Zhen, Ru & Miguel!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HAPPY SIXTH BIRTHDAY, RU, XIA, ZHEN! AND HAPPY "BIRTH" DAY TO ME!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">HUGS & KISSES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kerri, A Surrogate Mom</span></div>
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A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-5940484417101311262012-01-02T05:12:00.000-08:002012-01-02T05:12:44.047-08:00January 2nd, 2012 - Happy 4th Birthday!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMxAzOf5SKA/TwGq8PLjZkI/AAAAAAAAAFk/2Y12dGM7KBQ/s1600/Nov+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMxAzOf5SKA/TwGq8PLjZkI/AAAAAAAAAFk/2Y12dGM7KBQ/s320/Nov+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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WHAT?! 4??? Can it really be that it was just 4 years ago that I was trying to convince the nurses and doctor that my water actually broke?! 4 years and 3 hours ago from right now, these beautiful babies came into this world. They are the luckiest children with the best dads in the world! I have enjoyed watching them grow up over the years and so thankful for their parents for sharing that with me, because it means so much to me.<br />
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I still remember telling the agency nearly 6 years ago that I wanted only to carry multiples...because, how else can you have the experience and not have to raise them? It was just going to be the coolest thing! lol However, when I was thinking multiples...I was thinking twins! Now I could never think of it any other way then...triplets!<br />
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Happy BIRTH day to me and HUGE happy BIRTHDAY to the Triplets!!!<br />
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Hugs,<br />
Kerri, A Surrogate Mom</div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-18298319776809993962011-01-01T22:27:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.813-07:00January 2nd, 2011 - Happy 3rd Birthday!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91mGuwdJLM9DxCNPsxHmALebkraS412Ij2Mhgu0aigUSVEYCubxf5atqlA76Ijka_L79bvhSuV7zXLfsjcPtFq8PU5uwLFLRPza2yyC1mTP7G9lgDDoG1-HU2l0HONPCEUwf9Xh8419I/s1600/Dec+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91mGuwdJLM9DxCNPsxHmALebkraS412Ij2Mhgu0aigUSVEYCubxf5atqlA76Ijka_L79bvhSuV7zXLfsjcPtFq8PU5uwLFLRPza2yyC1mTP7G9lgDDoG1-HU2l0HONPCEUwf9Xh8419I/s320/Dec+2010.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />Wow....three years old today!!! Thank you R & M for sharing all the pictures of your beautiful children! (I suppose I stole this picture from your FB page, lol) It has been a joy to follow your beautiful family! Your family is truly blessed.<br /><br />Don't let anyone scare you that Three's are worst then the Two's! As a parent of 4 (singleton) children...it's the 4th child that is the worst!!! ;)<br /><br />Happy Birthday Xia, Ru, and Zhen!!!<br /><br />HUGS!!!<br /><br />Kerri, A Surrogate MomA Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-50450185291856326092011-01-01T09:11:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.813-07:00January 1st, 2011 - almost 3 years laterHappy New Year!<div><br /></div><div>Feeling a little sad, but I think it's mostly from an article of an IM's experience. Truly well written and the only thing that stood out was this: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">“You may think you want to stay in touch now, but <em>trust me</em>, once you have your baby, you’re barely going to remember her name. I call it surrogacy amnesia.” This was the statement made by an agency that the IM had interviewed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; ">Here is the link to that article: </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/magazine/02babymaking-t.html?pagewanted=1">http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/magazine/02babymaking-t.html?pagewanted=1</a></div><div><br /></div><div>At just after 11 pm-ish on this very day...3 years ago, my water broke on Baby B. I remember pacing the hallway thinking CRAP...where's my purse with the OB's number...feeling a little panic, bags not packed (which was not unusual for me...it's not like I ever had a bag packed with my own 4 kids). I remember yelling downstairs to my husband that it was time (actually after I post this, I ought to re-read the actual entry for fun!). I remember calling R and letting him know that I was on the way to the hospital and we'd let him know what was up later. I think it was 2 am and Chuck was calling R to say they were sending me home...found out that R had been trying to get a flight out, but the first one didn't leave until 6 am his time. Anyways, so after 3 tests saying my water didn't break and me trying to be the polite New Yorker that I am (Yes, you can laugh)...I know I did not pee that much...not to mention, I remember the dog licking it up!!! lol Ok...through my insisting before I'd go home, the dr ordered an ultrasound and took one look and said, prep her quick...in a calm voice, but one where I knew it had to happen quickly b/c all of Baby B's fluids were gone. At this time, I'm thinking you have to find my husband to call R back. I remember Chuck saying...but I just called R to tell him it was a false alarm. Still makes me laugh to this day. I wasn't too scared about being rushed to the OR for my c-section...I clearly remember wondering if I'd be able to make the Bingo Buy-In at Grand Casino Hinckley that Saturday...and that the girls would miss me, if I didn't! BTW I was missed...the gals texted and left messages on my phone. Funny how we can remember things so long ago...to the detail!</div><div><br /></div><div>Babies were all born healthy and were ready to make their appearance..even at 33 1/2 weeks gestation. Today they are just beautiful, happy and healthy as ever! At 4 am CST (guestimate) on January 2nd, 2011...these beautiful triplets will be 3 years old!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>I still remember the day I met M and we were in the elevator and he brushed something off of R's forehead. It was touching and I thought it was true love for them. :) Too bad I wasn't there to see his reaction when R told his then "new" boyfriend that he was going to have triplets!</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember that R didn't arrive in MN until about 11 am cst...I'm thinking he came right to my room to see me. Ok, well if he didn't, he at least came to see me right away. And that means a lot to me, after reading the article I shared above. He didn't forget me! That's all that matters! So back to that article and that statement...truly (for me) the saddest part of being a surrogate is the IP forgetting me right after it's over. I'm truly grateful to M & R for remembering me to this day. I hope we'll keep in touch but I understand that people's lives get busy and all. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well enough babbling for today!</div><div>Happy New Year everyone!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Kerri, A Surrogate Mom</div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-62290070991247960122010-03-10T02:54:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.813-07:00March 10th, 2010 - 2 years old!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-C6pi0CkXfoy9e82e_G8GU3p-Xmfz5p-EdKrr5cjEqMOhKTgkovnXT6_pMZJYdS3TGWECfnFtnR2W8eqNGekJDGYBnFYDzPuMlK6MN32O3w4mobHeipwZUyBg_dBzwOlQERhVXS8P_w/s1600-h/Christmas+2009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446957977910069986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-C6pi0CkXfoy9e82e_G8GU3p-Xmfz5p-EdKrr5cjEqMOhKTgkovnXT6_pMZJYdS3TGWECfnFtnR2W8eqNGekJDGYBnFYDzPuMlK6MN32O3w4mobHeipwZUyBg_dBzwOlQERhVXS8P_w/s200/Christmas+2009.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIbai2qAhv6E5jKieKYl-VQJDgLM0dCqvjoiqG7Xb0djiTZau0m63BgH-vnHXJ-ORBC8XohZT5u62FAsSH96YDDEMNXpcrO5Yvmw3JuY9PqqFDaKbdHQF6fItdYtsB93UWjbpjCOAJes/s1600-h/Christmas+2009+The+Triplets.jpg"></a><div><br />Wow, where has the time gone? Xia, Ru, & Zhen turned 2 on January 2, 2010!!! Sorry for the late update. I am thankful everyday for being able to watch the triplets grow up via pictures and videos. Their daddies are just wonderful for that...as well as being parents. I'm loving every minute of watching and hearing how they experience every milestone with the triplets. Each one of them has their own personalities. It's awesome! Their daddies are so blessed. :)</div><div> </div><div>Well I couldn't sleep and was thinking about the triplets, so I thought I would finally jump on here and post a quick update.<br /></div><div></div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-81418379425813283912009-01-01T23:56:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.813-07:00January 2, 2009 - HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tf8n9BHToYp8EUsi6FXEiywnPddAvBreS8L66cKwu2InL7ZeqGP7oQBzyRS6vVgaq0omX1it-7jxeOjhkDm2t_OaThH9K0HVSyF9hGDJnWMOMFEGGinru-oUXn92-_M-oiuImNYD1Jc/s1600-h/christmas+2008+triplets+first.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286603031827979234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tf8n9BHToYp8EUsi6FXEiywnPddAvBreS8L66cKwu2InL7ZeqGP7oQBzyRS6vVgaq0omX1it-7jxeOjhkDm2t_OaThH9K0HVSyF9hGDJnWMOMFEGGinru-oUXn92-_M-oiuImNYD1Jc/s320/christmas+2008+triplets+first.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLXQc_WfWAmBTDwn0wrHBei4poWsrY8fNlBLpmNCnGEZ5TSBmOOitDYb0rkEmkKrzDCJ0VxG_j2qHQoPol3HmTd_-RPgV1U6BO5VTvvwn0HtflGocs_svirQUFlQz6D-Os5byWG2m3Cw/s1600-h/christmas+2008+triplets+first.jpg"></a>WOW...Exactly 1 year ago at 2 am, as I write this, my OB was telling the ER staff to prep me...it was time for these triplets to make their entrance!!! Baby B (later known as Ru) had enough...and his water (or is that my water??? lol) broke at 11 pm, 3 hours earlier...which is when we called my IP to tell him I was on my way to the hospital! I laugh how they told me 3 times, NO your water didn't break...obviously their high tech tests failed. lol I remember I was a bit panicked when the Dr said it was time...especially after we just called the IP to tell him that it was a false alarm based on the tests. lol </div><div></div><div>To this day, I remember the first cries of each of the babies as they came into this world! Such strong healthy cries, despite the fact that they were coming at 33 1/2 weeks! To this day, you would never know that they were premies. I am so proud of these little babies, as I know their daddies are today! The picture above is of the triplets (from left to right, Zhen, Ru, Xia) on their first Christmas at Grandma's!</div><div></div><div>The tears I have as I write this entry to share with you, are those of joy and happiness that I have given to their two wonderful dads. I can just imagine the year they have had and more to come. I am forever thankful for being their surrogate, and for being able to see the triplets grow via pictures. As a first time surrogate, you just don't know what to expect, how you will feel and how much contact you want or if you can even have any. </div><div></div><div>While today is the triplets birthday, they well celebrate their first birthday on Saturday. Can't wait to see the pictures!</div><div></div><div>I would like to share that they (the triplets with their daddies) will be filming at their party for ads in repeal of California's passage of Proposition 8 (hope I worded that correctly). For more information, please go to <a href="http://www.gettoknowmefirst.org/Overview.html">http://www.gettoknowmefirst.org/Overview.html</a> I too am personally sad that Prop 8 passed; it's just not right. I hope that these ads will make a difference and help others realize the importance of Marriage Equality... You have my support here in Minnesota!</div><div></div><div>Hugs to my little surro triplets as you celebrate your first birthdays! Hugs to your daddies too!!</div><div></div><div>Love Always,</div><div>A Surrogate Mom, Kerri</div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-50519257357958583342008-07-02T10:10:00.000-07:002011-06-02T10:51:08.813-07:00July 2, 2008 - The Triplets are 6 Months old today!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kd1IS6E-ew4iSvUzSnsNiZdClaajrl_o5CSlOjRBY2wZn6J1HUkt91Pm1pOD8xP9IJ6ULc9zxlljaV17YqLvZGdOJK03oK-e8oI1ceM6zAKClZ6fvfzu4BZgiEUFZvSkK0IF9b1_f_g/s1600-h/1_In_Coats-small%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218465854367970098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kd1IS6E-ew4iSvUzSnsNiZdClaajrl_o5CSlOjRBY2wZn6J1HUkt91Pm1pOD8xP9IJ6ULc9zxlljaV17YqLvZGdOJK03oK-e8oI1ceM6zAKClZ6fvfzu4BZgiEUFZvSkK0IF9b1_f_g/s320/1_In_Coats-small%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Are they just the cutest little babies or what??? Today they are six months old and healthy...and I personally don't think you could ever tell that they were premies!!! I know I wish that I could just hold them and hug them because they are so big and cute! Yes I miss them but I am greatful that they live with their daddies! I can imagine how busy they keep them...wait until they are mobile! That will be great for them!!! lol<br /><br />I'm still freezing and sending my breastmilk once a week. We'll be stopping that in a few weeks. While I would do this until they are a year (or at least until I start my next surrogacy), it will be nice to not have to worry about pumping every 4 hours....at least I can get through the night comfortably without having to wake up now to pump. I'm not sure what I will do when I dont have to pump anymore! lol<br /><br />I have healed well after the c-section. I can finally look at the incision and touch it. After 4 vaginal deliveries...I definately will opt for a c-section with my next surrogacy!!<br /><br />So I guess this will be my last post for awhile... if I get more pictures at 9 months and a year, I will definately share with you all.<br /><br />Thank you again for following my journey and hope that there will be a second journey. I already started my blog for that journey...just waiting now.... wish me luck! :)<br /><br />Have a great day!<br />Kerri<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38z5XW4xFYjV34p6Ttj86PHEFgWXATgKQ_xw-C7f2OqH6JTlaCc1kTclSR1pRg1IVMiYg74bQ1rg-9rgaeI0I4fKZ6hNrFEYYqRjymT4RYg5AP2hM5Rdys8yvAdxElgm1XAjOQRvbWys/s1600-h/1_In_Coats-small%5B1%5D.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div></div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-10668275784186714072008-05-14T12:20:00.000-07:002011-06-02T10:51:08.814-07:00The Triplets at almost 4 months old!!!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYZYgccf6fMLTsLtE7LylbU0q5RazDIjYZlFsQvIcUnbAmUVYxCw8A4EacMPtnwlI_alA1ORVcqZR6JR-EO-GYJQ_eLUe1eW7svgoiqt6rGzFPBXxyReacprEhURPDstSkcR4zYz4Ibs/s1600-h/1+Zhen+small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200321334360693186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYZYgccf6fMLTsLtE7LylbU0q5RazDIjYZlFsQvIcUnbAmUVYxCw8A4EacMPtnwlI_alA1ORVcqZR6JR-EO-GYJQ_eLUe1eW7svgoiqt6rGzFPBXxyReacprEhURPDstSkcR4zYz4Ibs/s200/1+Zhen+small.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoAViPThSfi46z-MVEgUovveu0TCSzmMDBDIlGGOgMvSa_ghbryKPLIKoyj1d3ld7qF2ZbMFBlD2GYsviDp9_gsixNCF7kmNycu_bepfAzg60cv902NtQLm2BDyTfj8uMKWXqDx3gojg/s1600-h/1+Ru+-small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200321342950627794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoAViPThSfi46z-MVEgUovveu0TCSzmMDBDIlGGOgMvSa_ghbryKPLIKoyj1d3ld7qF2ZbMFBlD2GYsviDp9_gsixNCF7kmNycu_bepfAzg60cv902NtQLm2BDyTfj8uMKWXqDx3gojg/s200/1+Ru+-small.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKiPu029JO_yphTlpJv7BzEwUIvjnF-zOcRGazUIm52buZy1aTTdfrOGy4-aDn5ShWVf_3YyiSN_JjjDtaE0qndwyG7CDwXCP8szq6Ganx-d_a-D4hR3BRqpHlmAwfHMT-uQZnDZcozY/s1600-h/1+Xia-small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200321351540562402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKiPu029JO_yphTlpJv7BzEwUIvjnF-zOcRGazUIm52buZy1aTTdfrOGy4-aDn5ShWVf_3YyiSN_JjjDtaE0qndwyG7CDwXCP8szq6Ganx-d_a-D4hR3BRqpHlmAwfHMT-uQZnDZcozY/s200/1+Xia-small.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Taken last month (April), Zhen, Ru, Xia. Are they just too cute. I just can't get over how big they are...you would just never know that they were premies.<br /><br />Thanks to their daddy for sharing these pictures with me and my friends.A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-90210706081204055682008-04-03T21:14:00.000-07:002011-06-02T10:51:08.814-07:00April 2, 2008 - The Triplets are THREE MONTHS old<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlN2aWmaXuqmNSAIc9dGaCiI8ddSYShzYs4ZhgzlvA4HXiXxGIz_GuYhOzYtM9xQhbrbxPpFBd363fd-i0W1r158XihF2GsfFeLfRloWwRDiAGOv6Xkp-5mnDzUexbo_Pd_m6BcIH-6E/s1600-h/1+Easter-+small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185239039255759458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlN2aWmaXuqmNSAIc9dGaCiI8ddSYShzYs4ZhgzlvA4HXiXxGIz_GuYhOzYtM9xQhbrbxPpFBd363fd-i0W1r158XihF2GsfFeLfRloWwRDiAGOv6Xkp-5mnDzUexbo_Pd_m6BcIH-6E/s200/1+Easter-+small.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>ok...so the picture of them is a couple weeks old. This one was taken on Easter. Sometimes its hard to believe that I was pregnant with triplets!</div><div> </div><div>Can you believe I'm ready to go again??? While I am getting my stuff together to work with a local surrogacy agency, I might go independent with a single guy referred by my IP. My desire is to try for twins. lol yes, I 'm not interested in carrying triplets.</div><div> </div><div>Well we shall see what happens! Just wanted to share this cute picture of the triplets.</div><div> </div><div>Have a great day!</div><div>Kerri</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-19318417140868064192008-03-09T20:15:00.000-07:002011-06-02T10:51:08.814-07:00March 9th, 2008 - Life After My First Surrogacy<div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwx9_PSTmz5yhD8g4FEUwI_t-AswjY-yvy4nG1hxD0meNI07F6o859_ccz96LVp72dUg3oTeNZRkxd6FdIkkaoa588Fd11slt7NpdObSAj0EUVzopB-rBnqTjsVYKIOxmkwzFOgkOkuQ/s1600-h/1_xia%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175973473061795170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwx9_PSTmz5yhD8g4FEUwI_t-AswjY-yvy4nG1hxD0meNI07F6o859_ccz96LVp72dUg3oTeNZRkxd6FdIkkaoa588Fd11slt7NpdObSAj0EUVzopB-rBnqTjsVYKIOxmkwzFOgkOkuQ/s200/1_xia%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcIgR4iv5wGVIAuhdudJFwIu8bcMiRGyfl0JrxbzxzMxD13p4EO8a42ffjKIbPe4PvVKbFDWNCuVQdUIHjQDwIb1CuN025wcTkGtY-tZj3oqR8FIEz4Q9Qs5mLCcjxnVXng55mQNItUI/s1600-h/1_ru%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175973713579963762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcIgR4iv5wGVIAuhdudJFwIu8bcMiRGyfl0JrxbzxzMxD13p4EO8a42ffjKIbPe4PvVKbFDWNCuVQdUIHjQDwIb1CuN025wcTkGtY-tZj3oqR8FIEz4Q9Qs5mLCcjxnVXng55mQNItUI/s200/1_ru%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWoEoHbN5dKVTpZqtchS-6xKPuq3kFaRLTW2uHcilSaxeh0N3EHLZI3DBvPNTgQb0QFk54rW7hipD_LE1LKUhz7Gaeios7QymuLiRG2P3bN4aB5ZZlQeeEgTrWtjAolMR3vL_XYwJ62g/s1600-h/1_zhen%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175973966983034242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWoEoHbN5dKVTpZqtchS-6xKPuq3kFaRLTW2uHcilSaxeh0N3EHLZI3DBvPNTgQb0QFk54rW7hipD_LE1LKUhz7Gaeios7QymuLiRG2P3bN4aB5ZZlQeeEgTrWtjAolMR3vL_XYwJ62g/s200/1_zhen%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>I've been putting this off for way too long. Maybe because I am sad to see that my first journey as a surrogate is over and well...I have to get a job??? </div><div><div align="left"><div><div><br /></div><div>I am doing fine emotionally and physically after giving birth to the triplets. I am glad I had the experience of being a surrogate. I am getting tired of people telling me they can't believe I could give up the babies. I didn't give up anything as far as I'm concerned. They were never my babies and I was only too happy to carry them for their father. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I see pictures of the babies, it makes me feel so good inside that I was a part of helping my IP begin his family. He is so very lucky, as I remember how it was when I became a single mom. I think that is why we were a good match...him being a single dad. </div><div><br /></div><div>Single dads can do it just as well as single moms...and probably some of them are even better single dads!</div><div> </div><div>I am currently pumping my breastmilk for the babies. Its a lot of work. I pump every 3-4 hours...even getting up once during the night. I have to admit, its nicer to be able to nurse babies then to pump b/c you have to always clean the parts after each pumping. I can do it all in my sleep now too! :) I love my breast pump because its portable and has a battery pack. I take it with me everywhere....to volleyball games, bingo, church, bingo, MNOs, etc...YOU NAME IT!!! I'm ready to pump! lol </div><div><br /></div><div>So how do I get the milk to the babies??? I freeze the milk in Medela containers or bags. Then once a week I overnight it via FedEx to the family. We just package it in a cooler and then they return the cooler so I have it to send out the next week. Pretty easy...and the babies are getting good milk! I really do like pumping for them because I am eating well...and reminds me to keep drinking my water so I have a lot of milk! lol There are times that my daughter has to run and get another bottle b/c I overflow in one pumping!!! My 3 yr old calls the bottles and stuff, "Mommy's Boobie Toys" TOO FUNNY.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not sure how long he will want me to pump, but the longer the better...for both babies and me. I lost all the weight I gained within the first two weeks...now I'm working on the weight I gained during the time time trying to get pregnant, fertility drugs, and birth control pills. I don't feel up to exercising yet. I probably should at least walk on the treadmill. My incision area still feels wierd. Its healed and all looking good though.</div><div><br /></div><div>My post partum checkup was at 7 weeks and my local OB said I was good to go for another surrogacy!!! Unfortunately the OB at the perinatal clinic says he won't sign a release until after 18 months...urgh...I turn 40 this year and well, would like to get pregnant sometime after June. Will have to get a second opinion or see if he will check me to make sure that I am ready. The last fertility dr had told me to wait at least 6 months after a c-section. So we shall see. I really want to be a surrogate one more time.</div><div> </div><div>So backing up some... </div><div><br /></div><div>My water broke for baby B at 11 pm on Jan 1st. An hour later DH and I made it to the hospital. Wasn't having any significant contractions. Was hooked up to monitors and stuff. They did a test 3 times that came back negative, meaning my water never broke. LOL well there is NO way I would have pee'd like that on accident! And the nurses were telling me that their tests are quite accurate...best on the market. OK whatever. So they were going to send me home...but do an ultrasound before I went. So DH calls the IP to tell him false alarm b/c I knew that he probably didn't listen to me when I said to wait about flying out until I heard from the dr. lol DH said he did make a flight but couldn't get out until 6:30 am his time (which was 8:30 am our time). Anyways...the gal was having a hard time measuring fluid for the babies...the dr comes in and says baby B has no fluid....Prep her for surgery. LOL what? You just told me I was going home and we told the IP it was false alarm. ROFL So then I was super bummed b/c I was thinking I'd be going to Bingo that Saturday! lol DH called IP back and said it was time...for real! By this time, I think it was 2:30 am?? I think it took over an hour to get prepped and stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>The c-section wasn't so bad. Little anxiety when they went to put the spinal block in. Then more b/c I had to move but couldn't...sort of felt like a claustophobic attack or something. lol The guy gave me meds to get over the feeling...so that was good. The babies were born and taken away to be washed up. It was awesome to hear the first baby's cry, and then the 2nd and then the 3rd. I never did get to hold the babies after they were born and I regret that. I just wasn't sure how I would feel. The nurse did bring each of them to me to see before they were taken to the nursery. They were so beautiful. They didn't need to go to NICU...they were all healthy and strong for being born at 33 1/2 weeks. I was never sad..ok, that's a lie. I was sad when I had to stay an extra day and then my husband came to pick me up...to find out that I wasn't being released for another day. But other then that, I was ok. I did want to go visit the babies in the nursery but no one asked me or took me. I did ask once but the nurse never got back to me. I didn't really insist b/c I thought maybe it was better that way. But I do regret not holding them at least once. </div><div><br /></div><div>I recently received pictures of them which I have posted above to share with you all. It was wonderful seeing them...seeing their dad happy feeding them. I wasn't sure how I'd feel. I'm ok. Like any baby you see a picture of, it makes you want to just hug them. So yeah...maybe I wish I could give them a hug. Someday.... Their daddy had mentioned that when they are like 4 or 5, he wanted to bring them to MN to visit so they could see where they were born....and I could see them then.</div></div><div> </div><div><div>My stay at the hospital (Abbott Northwestern) was great. The nurses and doctors were super nice and not judgemental about my situation. And if they were, then I didn't know. I was treated very well. I was so ready to go home. </div><div><br />The babies were released from the hospital just under two weeks, I think. I can't remember! lol The babies and their daddy went to stay with his aunt who is a Pediatrician in MI. Last week they went back home to CA, as his paternity leave is finally over. In fact, tomorrow he goes back to work...as a kindergarten teacher. :)</div><div><br />The MN lawyer for the IP was able to get us a court hearing right away. I don't know about my IP but I think it was an exciting emotional event...especially when the judge declared him the sole and legal parent of the triplets. The court hearing was necessary because in the state of MN the "birth" mother's name is put on the birth certificate. So actually before an actual birth certificate was done, we went to court to have my name taken off of it. </div><div><br />Minnesota doesn't have any real surrogacy laws; so being a surrogate here worked out pretty well.</div><div><br />I can't remember much of the last couple of months about my recovery. I still feel wierd where the incision is. I was super busy with my kids and would tire out easily, but it got better each week. I still take naps. I'm emotionally fine about the triplets, being a surrogate, etc. I think any stress or emotions are everyday things...paying bills, not having enough $$$ to go around...lol even having to say NO to bingo :( I think I'm having bingo withdrawal worse then baby blues! For real! lol</div><div><br />I really need to get a job but my little one won't go to school until 2010...so I've been working my hardest to book catalog shows for my home businesses (Pampered Chef and BeautiControl) (lol, trying to send subliminal messages so you will want to book a caty show and enjoy free stuff! j/k) I've been spending the days working on contacting all my old customers to let them know I'm back to "work." So hoping things will pick up again. I did do a home party for PC a couple weeks ago for a group of CafeMom moms. That was fun as I haven't done one ever...and it wasn't really a real traditional party...it was nice and informal. I liked that very much! Well hopefully in 6 months to a year I can be matched up with another family, so I can just concentrate on my family and being a surrogate again.</div><div><br />It was wierd after the birth of the triplets because it happened so fast. The journey was so long but then "just like that" it was over. I'm not sure if I miss being pregnant. I did enjoy it and would and will do it again! lol I liked that I was surprised with my water breaking...but that was better then having to count the days until the c-section. Oh...and I never packed a bag...meant to. lol I wouldn't have known what to pack anyways...not like I knew when I had my last 4 kids too! :)</div><div><br />I guess its back to my boring life...getting adjusted...getting my body back...losing the extra lbs....oh yeah...and the tummy. OMG it was SO BIG that I'm surprised that its not as bad as I thought it would be... lol</div><div><br />Well hope that answers your questions about how I'm feeling. I will try to post one more time as I still gather up my thoughts.</div><div><br />Enjoy the pics!</div><div><br />Have a great day!</div><div>Kerri aka A Surrogate Mom</div></div></div></div></div>A Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-7691374176307269152008-01-09T03:31:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.814-07:00January 2, 2008 - Welcome to the World!!!I am excited to announce the birth of the Surrogate triplets...born on January 2nd, 2008 (at 33 weeks and 3 days!)<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: red;">Xia- (pronounced "sheeya") was born first at 4:05 am and she weighed 4 lbs. & 9.7 oz. measuring 18 inches!</span></strong> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153439398641220162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37nDu3U0dBNGDNm1lSW643SlGOLJpaUmu-AgK3xQuDnpgW0y6S-S7y63Zp8rC9UoXFCF-JX_mdPDry-pITknNphuiWLdhuV7Ifbe9cYIcYQuMl7m-TxQEGqmeDGvGJF8OsI9o9opDnBw/s200/Baby+Xia.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><strong><br /><span style="color: #3333ff;">Ru- came next at 4:09 am and he weighed 4 lbs. & 1.6 oz. measuring 17-3/4 inches</span></strong><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153439699288930898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGmR8YYQhCKDt1MQBmo-X5PZ_n6UgyGtk1SOsHV7TFOXNoyKfo-y7hKORlF-UZG2YhzfQYluLWiPSXzK4A62E5nUwmNeqT0rI0PJz0b0-UJ_Eqp_Tsng1xrrlSk2iWAwEKM_RQsOi7xs/s200/Baby+Ru.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Zhen- was last at 4:12 am and she weighed 3 lbs. & 15.7 oz. measuring 18 inches</strong></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153439703583898210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkExDoEiSsR8ro1KGUJVDlwckO53jQ0idMV1aP5uuS9PTBB5Uk-TMKGnzW9TR9iNzNDC3Avcy1a2rY6I3l0FSFltBw17rSmkLgmWaNH4mxqUOYJNQgHev1LRMVRTQLd7I4dgQbm7nrM2E/s200/Baby+Zhen.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></div><br />As you can see, they are just beautiful and perfect! Their daddies are super excited now that they are here. The babies did not need to go to NICU and were breathing on their own after delivery. They also scored high apgar scores. They are doing so well that they aren't even staying in the hospital as long as the doctors estimated...in fact, I hear that they might be going home this Friday (Jan 11th)! WOW!<br />It is just amazing and wonderful that my pregnancy with the triplets was uneventful and we proved everyone (well those who thought we were at risk if I carried the triplets) wrong. The doctors were extremely pleased for the fact that I carried the babies for so long without problems. I was even scheduled for a c-section at 35 1/2 weeks...but I think baby Ru was determined to get out sooner (and not to mention keep me from the Big Bingo Event at the Casino on Jan 5th!) lol I did go on bedrest on Nov 19th because I was so tired and worried about when I would fall asleep on my youngest who just turned 3 yrs old. The doctors felt that there was stress with carrying the triplets and I didn't need to be worrying about my little one...so bedrest would be good now to keep the babies from coming.<br />Well, I suppose this wonderful journey is coming to an end. I thank God for watching over the triplets and me....and for helping me bring these strong healthy babies into the world for their proud daddy. I thank my husband and 4 children for their support and patience throughout this nearly 2 year journey! Many missed events but they understood...but they also got to spend more quality time with their dad and that's always fun. Many thanks to Susie for watching my little one for all my appointments and so I could get some rest during the days! And lastly, many thanks to the babies' daddy for choosing me to be his surrogate...for all the awesome charms for my bracelet that symbolizes many events in our journey.<br />It is a journey that we will all remember and I'm happy that I could help bring joy and happiness for another family. It will be nice to get the yearly "Christmas pics" and watch from afar, the triplets growing up.<br />Good luck, my friends, and cherish every moment with those beautiful little babies of yours!<br />God Bless!<br />A Surrogate MomA Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-36183695742434395932007-12-30T16:35:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.814-07:00December 30th, 2007 - Happy Holidays and All Is Quiet on the Baby Front!Hi there!<br /><br />Hope you all had a nice Christmas. Nothing much happening here. It was a quiet Christmas, as will be New Years Eve. DH and the kids spent last Sunday at DH's parents house celebrating Christmas. I didn't go as I"m on bedrest and wasn't really feeling the greatest to go. So it was a nice long day of rest for me. I did worry a little b/c it was snowing and it was blowing like crazy, making visibility and the roads rather dangerous. So I was relieved when DH and the kids finally made it home that day.<br /><br />My last OB appointment was the day after Christmas. What a stressful morning. It was snowing and we were under a snow advisory warning until noon. Dropped dh off at work just after 6 am and decided to go straight to my appt since the roads were yukky as it was snowing and it would take me a long time to get there during rush hour. It was SO dark out and the snow was blowing. I was overly tired b/c I had no sleep b/c Christmas night I must have gotten a flu bug or something. I felt so sick and was having trouble breathing...probably b/c the babies were pushing and kicking, cutting off my breathing! lol So I had to pull over and rest...then DH told me to turn around and come back and get him from work. He would have taken me but the agency won't rmb him for loss wages, so I tried to do it on my own, but it just wasn't worth the risk that day. So he took the day off from work to take me to the appointment. I was so uncomfortable even with him driving, but was greatful that he took me.<br /><br />The MAC appointment went well. Each baby scored 8 out of 10 points, so they were doing well and not in any hurry to be born. I was a bit dehydrated from vomiting since the day before....and suffering from heart burn. The dr had my blood drawn to make sure I wasn't suffering from preclampsia (sorry, don't feel like looking up the spelling, lol) Blood test came back normal. The contractions were due to be dehydrated from vomiting and not being able to keep down food and fluids. I was taking a tums about every hour to help the discomfort to then realize that I had taken the maximum allowed for 24 hours. LOL So had to call the dr at 10 pm and see what to do now b/c I didn't think I could survive the night. Thankfully, I was able to take Pepcid...and that got me through the night. I haven't actually had heartburn since then...THANK GOODNESS! Oh...so I didn't gain any weight in the week since the last appointment. The doctor reassured me that I was going to feel miserable, lol, but they would watch me closely in case I can't make it until the c-section on Jan 17th!<br /><br />So today I'm at 33 weeks. This is very good with triplets. Next OB appointment is on Wed. I think they will be doing an ultrasound to measure the babies. Hard to believe that I will have 2 1/2 weeks left of this pregnancy to go. Still very nervous about the c-section and pray that I don't need a blood transfusion or die. Thank goodness my husband will be there with me. I know he probably doesn't want to be but glad he has agreed to. Heck, I want to be knocked out totally for the c-section but the dr won't let that happen. oh well. lol<br /><br />And yes, I'd do this again. It is fun being pregnant...lol I think its the part where the babies have to be born that freaks me out. <br /><br />Well I'm super tired...so time to lay down again and rest before bedtime! :)<br /><br />Have a happy new year!!!<br />A Surrogate MomA Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-77010852721922600882007-12-20T09:54:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.814-07:00December 20th, 2007 - White Castle & TUMSWell, had my weekly OB appt yesterday. Went to the MAC first (Maternal Assessment Center). Babies are doing great. 2 babies scored 10 and 1 scored 8. 8-10 is passing. The one baby scored 8 b/c he/she kept moving around so much that they were unable to monitor the heartbeat. Nevertheless, babies are doing great, no worries of them coming anyday...lol...Just my luck, right? No Christmas babies here! My IP was wondering if he should take his bags with him when he goes to his Mom's for the holidays...NAH...this pregnancy is so boring, that I highly doubt any excitement like that happening...will just meet up with him for the c-section Jan 17th! lol<br /><br />OMG...so I gained 3 lbs since last weeks appt! WOW! But then when I thought about it...that is a total of 31 lbs and I'm just about 32 weeks! lol Ok...so no worries....and the babies are nice size. The OB dr came in and joked about how I've done well to keep these babies cozy for so long...that I need to share with other women with multiples so they carry longer too! I am so glad that the OB dr generally like triplets to be born 35-36 weeks b/c I'm not sure I could wait longer then that. My belly is getting so big, its scary! lol DH says that my belly actually makes my butt look small! ROFL (Thanks dear!) So that was my appointment...boring...nothing to really report other then I gained 3 lbs! lol<br /><br />Next appt is Dec 26th. I think the appt after that one, I will have a complete u/s to measure the babies.<br /><br />Stopped at White Castle on the way home from the dr yesterday. I knew that probably wasn't a good idea but you know...it was just something different! lol I think the babies got a good "kick" out of it! lol Glad that my hubby thought to finally buy me some TUMS. WOW what a relief. I've never taken anything for heartburn before but I tell you...I'm glad I have my TUMS now! lol<br /><br />Picked up a new breastpump from <a href="http://www.milkmoms.com/">www.milkmoms.com</a> A great place to go for your breast/nursing needs!!! I have used this lady for my last 3 pregnancies. Its nice that she doesn't live too far either. She services all over the US btw. ANyways, I plan to pump for 1-3 months for the triplets. I hope that helps me loose the weight...I'm hopeful, but after nursing my own 4 children...I doubt it!!! lol <br /><br />Well Christmas is approaching...nothing done yet...well the school bus driver and the kids' teachers all got some awesome gifts from Pampered Chef this year! lol I had to drive the kids to school on Tuesday b/c the gifts were so heavy! lol I got them the PC baking stones. Hey...I think they deserved them...my kids are doing so well in school...and I know that they are smart but I think the teachers play an important part in that too! :) Oh so I'm telling you that I drove them to school b/c I was totally surprised by how nice my kids can be... Our oldest son carried in our oldest daughter's gifts into the Middle School b/c they were so heavy and she had the most to give out. Well I waited and waited....turns out, he willingly walked to all her classes to help her give out her gifts! I was so surprised that he was nice to do that...well I know he is but he just surprises me...DH seems to think its b/c he wanted his Xbox 360 online! (lol, yeah, he's been irritating me so DH turned off the wireless so he couldn't get online, lol) Then the next stop was dropping our 1st grader off...and once again, our oldest son walked his little brother (the same little brother he tends to be mean to at times) to his classroom with his gifts and stayed with him until the teacher got there! WOW, right?! lol Then I dropped my oldest son off at the High School! WOW...what a morning! BTW I sort of miss driving my kids to school :( BUT thank goodness for the school bus....I'm saving soooo much this year on gas! lol<br /><br />So like I said...Christmas is approaching...no shopping done for the family yet. DH and the kids will go to his parents on Sunday to celebrate. I will stay home b/c DH's family are chain smokers and so a very good reason to stay home...that and since my suburban is not working, we are short one seat in DH's truck. So that is ok...I will stay home. :) I guess DH will do the shopping this weekend! lol I will try to go with him if I feel up to it. Walking can be a challenge sometimes. lol Oh...I wonder what our chances will be to get a Wii this late in the holiday season??? lol<br /><br />Well have a great day! Time to go back to bed and rest!<br />A Surrogate MomA Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4219619117784711008.post-9978460762420924082007-12-11T20:11:00.000-08:002011-06-02T10:51:08.814-07:00December 11th, 2007 - I've got a Date!!!January 17th, 2008 I am supposed to arrive at Abbott Northwestern's Maternal Assessment Center at 6 a.m. for my scheduled c-section. I think the time is a bit obnoxious, if you asked me! BUT it was better then 11 a.m. lol<br /><br />Had my OB ck today. All is well. The dr said that they like to deliver triplets between 35-36 weeks so if I was ready to make that appointment, then I could! So, its set!!! January 17th, 2008!!! and then I will be home by Sunday! :) <br /><br />Before each of my weekly OB cks, I have to go to the MAC (Maternal Assessment Center in the hospital) for screening of the babies' activities, stress levels, monitoring their activity, fluids, etc. It makes for a long day. That appointment they schedule it for at least 2 hours...I barely made it for the hour it took today! lol<br /><br />As it has been going...the MAC and OB appt were uneventful....other then that I gained 2 lbs and scheduled the C-section. :) I was exhausted by the time I got home and was so overtired, it took me the rest of the day to get comfortable and for my body to settle down.<br /><br />I haven't really felt too much movement from the babies this evening...guess they are sleeping and now that I'm getting ready to go to bed...I bet they wake up! LOL<br /><br />Next appointment is Dec 19th....so see you then!<br /><br />Have a great week!<br />A Surrogate MomA Surrogate Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09782826565513233100noreply@blogger.com0