What Now? (Edited update at bottom)

It's been 16 months since sweet Baby CiCi was born. I'm still pumping for babies in need.

And...

I'm so excited I could scream! 

I have a potential match with an awesome couple.

I kind of feel like we were in the right place at the right time to have found each other.

So far everything is lining up nicely.

We've been talking for over a month. We get along great and talk about pretty much everything. We did a video call a few weeks ago.

They are everything I would want in a couple- kind, loving, respectful.

We agree on all the important stuff. We pretty much have the same vision.

They don't have any children, so this will be their first. 

They have really done their homework and researched a lot of clinics. They recently decided to go with the one we used for Baby CiCi.

10 days ago I got the call from the clinic!

😊

They have me scheduled for a phone consult today with the Dr.

😃

The clinic still has to approve me , but I'm cautiously optimistic that this will work out and be an awesome final journey. I can't really see why they wouldn't approve me when I was approved last time through them and had an awesome, uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery.

I'll have to wean soon and I'm ready. I can't believe I've been pumping this long.

Wish me luck.

*UPDATE, 5/10/16:
The call with the clinic went well, however, the match didn't end up working out. We were both bummed and wished each other well. So, now I'm looking again. I'm in the process of signing up with an agency and have also been in contact with a few couples who are looking independently. It is so hard to find the right match. A connection is so important to me as well as other factors. It's also hard when I've had such amazing experiences with awesome IPs. I don't want to settle now. I feel that my final journey should be pretty damn spectacular. I'm not in a hurry, but I'm not getting any older either and I was looking forward to a break from pumping.

The birth story!

Contractions started around 3:30 Saturday morning. (12/20/14) I hadn't gotten much sleep. For some reason I was tossing and turning before contractions even began. I had also started wiping pink the night before. 

I had never gone past 39 weeks before and on Saturday I was 40w3d.  I was scheduled to be induced on Monday the 22nd. My Dr. wasn't going to let me go past 41 weeks, which was Christmas Day. I was so happy to be going into labor on my own. (This would be my 3rd spontaneous labor, I was induced with my girls just because my doctor offered at 39 weeks)

 I pretty much knew it was time to go to the hospital around 4:30. I texted and called my IPs. 

They had also been up tossing and turning all night. Unfortunately, their plane wasn't leaving until noon, which meant they were probably going to miss the birth.

I filled in my doula and my birth photographer/friend. 

I showered, shaved my legs, ate and started waking up my husband and kids. This was it! It was baby day.

Everyone was excited.

My 15 year old helped me tie my shoes.
:)

I sat on my birthing ball, waiting for my family to get ready to go. Contractions were getting stronger.

We arrived at the hospital at 7:30. Contractions were pretty intense on the ride to the hospital. (30 minute drive) I was squeezing hubby's hand and the grip bar.

Strangely they weren't so bad when we got to the hospital. I was 4-5 cm when we checked in. I was given a room and told they were keeping me around 8:30.

I kept having contractions, but they weren't that bad. They did start getting intense again towards the end.

At times I was in a good amount of pain, and yet I was laughing through some contractions and explaining the songs on my playlist.

The nurses said my room was the place to hang out with my awesome music.

(Mainly Beatles)

Baby had some decels and I was given oxygen. They broke my water when I was at an 8.

My daughter and husband were in contact with my IPs while they were on their way.

At one point IM was talking to me on the phone through an intense contraction. I wasn't able to talk, but it was awesome to know she was there for me and to listen to her encouraging words.

Baby was posterior (face up) and turned as I pushed. 

So crazy! 

I tore because her head was so big. 

Catalina Jane (I've called her Baby CiCi this whole time because I only knew her initials) was born at 10:34 AM. She weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21 inches long. That's the biggest baby I have carried and delivered.  I had figured she would be about 9 pounds. 

It was quite amazing to physically feel myself pushing her out. I was so in the moment and I didn't feel the ring of fire like I did with my first surrogate baby who was 3 pounds smaller. So crazy!

They put her on my belly and I got to cut the cord. She nursed pretty good right away! She looked all around when she was born and had a good, healthy cry.

My doula, Terra handed her to me. 

 My family 

 got to meet her.

My mom, Connie was there when she was born, so we're my girls.

We had plenty of cuddle time with the cute, sweet girl while waiting for her mom and dad to arrive.

My husband didn't want to get "attached", but he couldn't help picking her up and calming her when she cried. He thought she was pretty darn cute and special!

                                      

                                      

He's an awesome, supportive husband!

At one point, I really don't remember if it was right after she was born, my husband gave me an early Christmas present-

                                         

So perfect, because storks are my thing!

                               

                                             

I tore and had to get stitches.

The first day I had been bleeding a lot and lots of blood clots. They were concerned and gave me some Pitocin and a shot to help.

Feeing pretty good, but stitches are starting to hurt. Back is getting sure too. So far I'm functioning on 2 hours of sleep and Ibuprofen. (As of 5:30 PM)

Today  (Saturday, December 20) is my best friends' birthday. My IM has the exact same birthday as my other best friend. We have lots of birthdays in common between us.

Friends and family came to visit-

This is Mallory, who was also my birth photographer. I'll probably have to have another post just with those pictures when I get them.

This is Veronica who is my friend and co-owns the agency with me. She is pregnant as a 2nd time surrogate.

My dad, Don and step mom, Kathie.

Lovely Rita and Sgt. Pepper arrived around 7:00 PM.  It was amazing to introduce them to the cutest baby ever!  Lots of good emotions.

My 15 year old daughter made this hat and matching scarf for Lovely Rita and Baby CiCi.

Sgt. Pepper changing a diaper.

Lovely Rita and Lady Madonna (LR's mom) gave me this awesome necklace as a push present. It has charms for all my babies, including my surrobabies. 

Not everything went as planned and my Dr was very cautious and particular about how I could VBAC. However, I am happy with how it all went. I got to wear my birthing gown.  :-)

My playlist helped. My music puts me in a zone and certain songs played at just the right time and made me laugh or at least smile through the pain. Under Pressure was pretty much dead on. Lol

This baby is so big and strong she is picking her head up already. 

I got lots of snuggle time with Catalina. It was super sweet to nurse her. It's amazing what the body knows to do with the whole birth and then contractions stopping after and her knowing how to nurse.

It's also amazing that once that baby's out, the nausea, heartburn, etc. is gone. 

Woohoo! 

It got a little emotional when it was time to say goodbye. (first time that has happened with my surrogacy journeys)

It had been such a wonderful journey and I felt so blessed. 

IM was thanking me and I started crying. It was bittersweet.

We all got to hold her one last time. (Hopefully not the last!) This was important to have closure and to say goodbye. (For now)

I'm so grateful for the experience. It really was almost picture perfect. We had a great relationship with IPs and that sweet baby treated me well throughout the pregnancy and even went easy on me with the delivery.

I'm starting to feel a little "now what?"

This has been my life the past 10 months.  (13 months really, start to finish)

Looks like I've dropped about 16 pounds already. (Day after)

There are advantages to having big babies.

;-)

Headed for the Light/ The Final Stretch

Please join me over at All Things Surrogacy to see what it's like to be nearing the end of a surrogacy pregnancy.  This was written last week. 

I'm kind of surprised I'm still pregnant.

 ;-)

http://allthingssurrogacy.org/2014/12/16/headed-for-the-light-jills-3rd-surrogacy-journey/

Happy Thanksgiving 2014!

Last Thanksgiving, I was choosing between two couples. I made my decision that night, and sent the couple a video to let them know that I chose them.

http://youtu.be/2U7ggQz0ckA

Now, one year later, I am 37 weeks/full term with their baby. So much to be thankful for.

I am also thankful for my friends and family and all my support throughout this pregnancy. 

I am thankful for my health and for a healthy pregnancy. 

I hope that you have lots to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

36 week update journey#5

Not much longer...

I've had a few contractions here and there the past week. Today she was pushing down pretty good and I decided to add this song to my birthing playlist-

Also, my Dr told me not to go into labor over Thanksgiving since he'll be gone next week. Fine by me. I'm not ready to have her until at least December.

I need to pack! And then it's probably best to keep my bag in the car at all times. I was thinking about it today. We live 45 minutes from the hospital. But if we have to go home and get my bag, that's an hour and a half at least. And I've got a party in my bag (once it's packed, ha ha) so we don't want to labor without it.

I hope my IPs will make it in time. Because we aren't being induced, they'll just (hopefully) hop on a plane when I call them. I'm excited for my kids to meet them. 

My awesome friend wants to be there when Baby CeCe is born, do does my mom. I'm telling you, it's going to be a birthing party! 

Meet the parents, and friends and relatives (journey #5)

Wow, what an amazing weekend!

My IPs flew my husband and I to their hometown to meet IF, Big Brother, friends and relatives. We had already met IM and I was excited to see her again and meet the rest of the gang.

Lovely Rita (IM) picked us up from the airport with Hey Jude in the backseat. He kept saying hurry up Jill and John, let's go while we were still inside waiting for our luggage. He was a little shy at first with us though. 

Driving through their neighborhood was amazing. We saw some of the neatest houses. Their house was great too. I liked so many things about it inside and out. 

I finally got to meet Sgt. Pepper. He came down the stairs and straight to me. He even pushed aside a friend to hug me first. I believe at that point he told me they weren't going to let me leave, that I wasn't going anywhere.  And then he touched my belly. He jokingly said, I don't have to ask, right? And I said, nope!

:-)

I believe he then asked John, my husband if it was okay. Lol

They had some close friends over for dinner including the surrogacy counselor who helped facilitate things on their end and an awesome actor who had twins through surrogacy. (Not NPH)  Everyone was dressed up, so I went upstairs to put on my dress that I had brought "just in case".

Talking intently about something, must be surrogacy. Sgt. Pepper (IF) is to my right.

With the surrogacy counselor.

We ate Indian food which was a new experience for John and I. One of Lovely Rita's friends asked if she could feel my belly and I said of course. Everyone there was so nice and welcoming.

Cool fertility goddess IM had on their table.

After dinner and I believe after ice cream, we were chatting and baby was moving as Lovely Rita was talking, so I went to sit by her so she could feel baby move. It took a bit, but eventually she could feel her.

I brought the stork I had bought for IM. I originally was going to give it to her at Baby CeCe's birth, but I felt I should bring it now for her to put in baby's room. She loved it and eventually Hey Jude saw it and became interested in it. He ended up taking it to bed with him. 

Lovely Rita asked if I had seen my daughter Jessica's picture on the fridge. She had drawn her a stork when we mailed the ultrasound pictures to them. So sweet that it was on their fridge.

We stayed the first night in a hotel nearby. When we checked into the hotel right before bed, we had gifts waiting for us- a hoodie/jacket for me and a hat for John. I could actually use a jacket that fits right now and it fits great, plus it's cute!

Doesn't Lovely Rita have lovely handwriting?

We ate breakfast at a lovely bakery across the street from the hotel and then Lovely Rita picked us up and took us back to their house.

When Hey Jude woke up that morning he asked where we were. So sweet.

Back at their house, I got introduced to another awesome friend.

Lovely Rita and I

After awhile, we were headed out on a 3 hour drive to Lady Madonna's house (Lovely Rita's mom). It was great to talk and chat on the way.

We stopped to get pedicures and at that point I got to meet Lady Madonna. She took me to get a sandwich while Lovely Rita got started on her pedicure. Soon, it was my turn. I hadn't decided what color of polish I was going to do. When I saw the color Lovely Rita brought, I decided we should match. She said she'd be honored. I got to sit in a massage chair which was nice. My feet are sensitive and at some points, it tickled.

Then, we were off to Lady Madonna's house for dinner and to stay the night. What a beautiful house! We got to check out where we'd be sleeping. Lovely Rita told us we'd have some personal space in the basement with our own bedroom and bathroom. She didn't mention the theater room!
Oh my gosh! Their basement was amazing! It was pretty much everything I want to do to our basement, only on a much larger scale. 

Dinner was lovely and yummy and it was great chatting with more family. Lovely Rita's dad is awesome too. We'll call him Dr. Maxwell.

I have interacted with Lady Madonna since the beginning of our journey and already knew she was great. It was nice to finally meet her.

We also met Lovely Rita's brother whose birthday is just a day after mine. There are so many birthday coincidences (and other coincidences) between our families that I wouldn't be surprised if Baby shared a birthday with someone. She could easily share a birthday with my daughter, my twin uncles, my grandma or even Hey Jude.

We went for a ride in this awesome vehicle, the Jeepster.

Who can turn down ice cream? Then we rented a movie to watch in the theater room. John fell asleep early on and then I fell asleep and he woke up and finished the movie.

When I woke up on Sunday morning, Baby CeCe was moving and I just took some time to take it all in. I wanted to stay in the moment of it all.

Then we got up and went to brunch at Lovely Rita's aunts' house. We got to meet more family and eat more good food. John was loving the country atmosphere! Again, everyone was friendly and welcoming.

Lady Madonna is to Lovely Rita's right and then to her right is LR's brother. Dr. Maxwell is to the left on the front row. We have 2 aunties in the pic, one next to my husband, left top row, and one in the bottom middle. And then a cousin to the far left and nieces on the bottom row. You should know everybody else by now.

:-)

I absolutely love this picture!

My husband John with Hey Jude. 

Next stop, was back to Lady Madonna's for a quick break.

I got to sit down with Lovely Rita and have some belly time together. Sgt. Pepper joined us. They both got to feel baby move. So did Lady Madonna. I got to meet more family.

:-)

Finally, Hey Jude sat on my lap and cuddled with me and baby sister. Yay! I got lots of loving in. Him and dad talked to her and dad kissed her through my belly, but big brother wasn't too sure about that.

I love his smile here.

We needed to get going. Sgt. Pepper was staying behind with Hey Jude, so it was time to say goodbye to them. I got a hug from them both. I even got an extra hug from Sgt. Pepper as he got a little choked up and thanked me. I can't even begin to explain the love I have for this family and I got choked up later as I told John and our kids.

We were running out of time and needed to stop for a quick visit to Lovely Rita's grandma. I decided she needed a nickname too. Lady Madonna suggested Eleanor Rigby- perfect.

We needed to eat before heading to the airport. Since we don't have a sit down Pizza Hut in Utah anymore, we thought that would be pretty cool. 

An hour later we were at the airport. John didn't have a seat and needed to check in with an agent. Anxiety was setting in. We were running behind and might not get to sit together or even get on the plane. We checked in and they had put us in the same row, but not next to each other. Luckily, someone offered to switch. 

Our next flight home was delayed getting luggage on. Ugh!

And then somehow our luggage didn't make it to SLC.

It finally arrived the next night.

We had a blast! Such an awesome weekend. I am so grateful to be a part of this journey. I will treasure these memories forever!