March 29th, 2006 - We are home!

OMG....what an awesome SHORT time in CA. I had a nice time. We stayed at a really nice hotel, just off of Sunset Blvd.

Ok, so here is how it went....

The flight out was fine. We transferred in Phoenix. Wow...its beautiful there...well all I saw were the mountains as we flew into the airport there. When we got to CA, a driver was waiting for us. Its fun to see your name on the big white card! LOL We were a little early for our appointment at the agency, so at this cute little place. We met with so many people. I was nervous. I had to take some psychological tests on the computer. I hope I did ok because I had no sleep from the excitement of going. I think I was sleeping while answering the questions. I just wanted it to be done with. lol Everyone at the agency was so nice.

After that was over, we were on our own until the next day with the fertility dr. So we went to the hotel, walked around and had dinner. LOL Nothing too exciting as we were both really exhausted.

Went to my appt at the fertility clinic. Love the doc I will be working with. He is funny and outgoing, which really helps. He says I'm boring...medical history boring. The exam went well. I am going to be tested for nicotine because DH is a chain smoker. DH does not smoke around the main areas of the house where the kids and I are, but downstairs and outside. I'm not a smoker, never have been, and I will be upset if I test positive. The doc says that no one wants to work with a surrogate who is positive for nicotine. Dh stated he will quit, as it is time that he should and because I want to be a surrogate. Will find out in two weeks my results of the exam and nicotine. How stressful! I know my exam should be fine as I've been healthy forever and had 4 great pregnancies.

The trip back to MN was fun as our connecting flight was through Las Vegas this time. We had a 3 hour layover. We were able to get on an earlier flight in Vegas so we got home at midnight, rather then 4 am, which was our original flight. It was nice to get home and see the kids. The kids had made Welcome Home decorations so that was fun. I should have taken pictures. oh well.

We are home safe. Now to wait two weeks for the results!

March 26, 2006 - Leaving for CA!

Well, the sitter is here to watch the kids until we get back. Everything is ok for me to do my screening and medical stuff.

I'm pretty excited. See you when I get back!

March 23rd, 2006 - Preparations for my trip for "screening"

OMG, the agency just realized that I'm still nursing and that might be a problem. Meaning our trip to CA might be cancelled. Oh I hope not. DH will be very upset because he took off work those two day and its too late for his work to get jobs for him. (DH is in construction.) So keeping my fingers crossed that all goes ok.

I've always been regular, even with nursing. I will stop nursing immediately though. :(

March 20th, 2006 - Update on my application process

oops...got to get better at this journaling stuff.

Here is what has happened over the last month or so.

Had my phone interview. I was so nervous, but I think it went well. Turned in additional paperwork, criminal checks came back fine. As a surrogate you choose who you work with. I am open to working with "anyone." My preference is a happy gay couple who want at least twins. My parents would probably roll over in their grave if they knew that I wanted to help a gay couple, but I would think they would respect my decision. My in-laws would probably not agree with my decision. Anyways, bottom line, I feel there should be no discrimination (color, religion, sexual preference, etc) on who can be a parent, so long as they truly want to be loving and caring parents, and to raise their children in a healthy and loving environment.

After the phone interview, I had to call them when my next cycle started, as then I would fly out to CA for my screening and physical two weeks later.

Received my benefits package today. That was exciting. My screening is schedule for March 27th & 28th in California. DH will have to fly out there with me.

BTW....Last month I got my husband his big screen tv and X-box 360. All I know is he better appreciate that 360 b/c I called WalMart and GameStop everyday to see if they got a shipment in for them. So he's happy. :)

I'm excited for our trip to CA. Someone from our church helped refer me to someone to watch our children, since we have no family and friends where we live. We are fairly new to the area. DH and I never took a honeymoon when we got married because we had to quick get married and go to Texas to take care of some legal matters concerning him adopting my oldest son who was born there. So, our Anniversary is March 29th, so this will be nice to have a little fun in CA, even if its a quick trip. I will have my screening on the 27th, meet people at the agency. Then on the 28th, I have my physical.

Haven't flown in a long time. Sort of having anxiety about it, crashing and who will take care of the kids, blah blah blah. I know it will all be fine. Its hard to be away from the kids when I am with them 24/7. Looking forward to time with DH though. :)

January 30th, 2006 - Processing Application

Ok....Legal got back to them and things are a go. Will have my phone interview soon. I'm excited but nervous.

January 20th, 2006 Status of My Application

Well I finally heard from the agency. They said my application looks perfect and that I fit the criteria. yeah! BUT.... they need to wait to hear from Legal if they can work with surrogates from MN. I guess surrogacy is not legal in a few states. Fortunately in MN, surrogacy is legal. The agency just does not have working relations established here, so they want to make sure this will work.

Well, at least thats some good news. :)

January 10th, 2006 - He Said NO

My husband said no right away and gave me three reasons: 1. it was just another crazy idea of mine to make some $$$ to continue staying home, 2. I would not do good with someone telling me what to eat, drink, wear, do, etc. and 3. Could I give up the baby in the end.

Well, it isn't about or for the money (although I bet any good surrogate would say that too). The agency matches you with parents with similar personalities, wants, expectations, etc. Lastly, I could give up the baby because I would be the gestational surrogate. Gestational surrogates are basically the "oven," as people seem to call it. I will not use my eggs nor my husband's sperm. A traditional surrogate uses her own eggs. Basically, I told him, that I was doing this because its something I always wanted to do. I felt I was meant to help another, since I have had 4 great pregnancies.

So it came down to this from my husband. 1. No more babies in our family and so long as we are not stuck with anyone's baby, fine. 2. Realize I can't change my mind once I start the process. 3. He'll watch our children but he's not going to be in the delivery room 4. He wanted a big screen HDTV and an Xbox 360.

So the decision has been made. I have completed the application to be a surrogate now that I have his approval. (Just haven't told him that he has to take time off from work and fly to CA with me a couple of times. Will tell him later.)

You know, I don't think being a surrogate mom is for everyone. You just "know" if you can. LOL, so professional sounding, eh?

My husband asked me to marry him after being together for a month. I just laughed because I thought this was his tactic to have sex with me. He was serious. He wanted to marry me and be the dad to my two little ones. He said you either know or you don't. If you have reservations about the person from the gecko, well then, its just not worth wasting time on the relationship. I liked his thinking, as I remember the wasted years of trying to make relationships work with the dumb a$$es I've been with. Ok...so I said Yes. I had no reservations of getting married and spending the rest of my life with him. Funny to think about friends who have been together for 10+ years and STILL don't know if they are with the right person. lol

So, I have no reservations about being a surrogate mom. :)