JANUARY 2ND, 2025 - HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY!!!

17 years ago at this moment (11 pm cst on Jan 1st, 2008), my life changed in the most incredible way - I went into labor with Triplets! 

I still pinch myself thinking about that surreal moment. Little did I know, wanting to be a surrogate for twins would turn into a triplet adventure! 

My pregnancy with the triplets was a breeze... until the heartburn kicked in!  That burning sensation was the worst part of my 33.5-week journey and happy to say that I have never had heartburn again!

Watching the Triplets grow up through social media and visits has been an absolute joy. Their Dads, family, and friends have created such a loving environment that's allowed them to thrive. I'm touched that they have agreed to share some personal stuff with me for my blog, and I look forward to sharing them with you on this special day.

Ru, Xia, Zhen

Xia:

1. What are you most passionate about right now? Hanging out with my friends and henna. (From her dad... She does it on friends and family all the time)

2. What is one thing you're really looking forward to in the next year? Driving my friends  and siblings around. 

Ru:

1. What are you most passionate about right now? Hanging out with my friends, taking the metro/train to places like Little Tokyo and Santa Monica Beach.

2. What is one thing you're really looking forward to in the next year? My summer 17.7 birthday beach party with all of my friends and family!

Zhen:

1. What are you most passionate about right now? Art- visuals arts and animation. Creating art and animation with different mediums.

2. What is one thing you're really looking forward to in the next year? Senior year art classes and driving.

I am amazed by Zhen & Xia's talents. Here are some pictures that were shared with me.

Design By Zhen

 

Henna By Xia

Happy 17th birthday to the amazing triplets, Xia, Ru & Zhen!

Seventeen years ago, you three brought immense joy and love into the world. Today, I celebrate the incredible individuals you've become. May this year be filled with laughter, adventure, and making unforgettable memories!

Love Always, from MN,

A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)

JANUARY 2ND, 2024 - HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY!!!

You know what time it is???

That's right! 

16 years ago at this time, 11 pm cst on January 1st, 2008, my water broke... thanks to Baby B, nka Ru! 

Some things that I can still remember 16 years later and how I remember it...

• Ru thinking I could have the Triplets naturally
• Ru read in this book that I should gain about 25#s per child
• The Fertility Statue in the window, peeking through the blinds
• Little sweet moments between Ru & Miguel
• Eating Korean BBQ
• Surrogacy Retreat
• Ru taking Kaitlind, Charlie and I to Disneyland
• Getting pregnant with 3 guys (none being my husband) watching... oh and the fertility statue!
• Seeing three babies on the screen and watching them grow in my belly
• 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!

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.

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! 😂 

Happy Sweet 16, Xia, Ru & Zhen!

May all of your wishes and dreams come true!

Much love and hugs,

A Surrogate Mom

JANUARY 2ND, 2023 - HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY!!!

 

It's that time!

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. 

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)

Zhen, Ru, Xia,

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!

Love Always, From MN,

A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)

JANUARY 2ND, 2022 - HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY!!!

FOURTEEN YEARS!

2008 - 2022.  Then. Now. LOVE.

Well it's almost time....

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...

AT 4:05 AM CST...XIA WAS BORN!!!

AT 4:09 AM CST.... RU WAS BORN!!!

AT 4:12 AM CST.... ZHEN WAS BORN!!!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY, Xia, Ru & Zhen! May all your wishes come true! 

Love You!

A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)

JANUARY 2ND, 2021 - HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone!

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!

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!

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...

to this...

almost 13!!!

And, like I said, in 5 hours the Triplets will be THIRTEEN YEARS OLD!!!

Happy 13th Birthday, Xia, Ru & Zhen!!!

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!

(Picture from their Christmas Card)

Miss & Love you Stevens-Ortiz family!!!

Love Always from MN,

A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)

JANUARY 2ND, 2020 - HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

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.

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).

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! :)  

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!

Emma 15, Charlie 18, Kaitlind 23, Me, Xia, Ru, Zhen

Ru, Me, Miguel, Xia, Ru, Zhen

Well it's almost time....

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...

AT 4:05 AM CST...XIA WAS BORN!!!

AT 4:09 AM CST.... RU WAS BORN!!!

AT 4:12 AM CST.... ZHEN WAS BORN!!!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY, Xia, Ru & Zhen! May all your wishes come true!  It was wonderful to see you last week!  HUGS!!! 

Ru & Miguel, I am so happy we all got to spend some time together while we were in town. Love your beautiful family!

Sending LOTS OF HUGS & LOVE from MN!!

A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)

JANUARY 2ND, 2019 - HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY!!!

“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.“

Above is from Ru & Miguel’s beautiful wedding 4 years ago in December!
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.

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! :)

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...

Happy “11th” birthday, Xia, Zhen and Ru! 

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!


Miguel & Ru, you are amazing parents. Sending LOTS OF LOVE & HUGS from Minnesota!!!


Love Always,
A Surrogate Mom (Kerri)