Arthur Christmas was a hit!

Yesterday, Amanda and her 2 little ones (Brady & Bailey) & Braxton and I met at a local gymnastics arena to let the kids run around, jump in a pool of Styrofoam blocks and more.. after an hour and a half of excitement, they worked up an appetite so we took them to Chick-fil-a. As our last stop for the day, we took them to the movies to see Arthur Christmas! They LOVED it, even Miss Bailey sat through it laughing with her cute little laugh.. What a fun day!

Bailey, Amanda (twins in the oven), Braxton & Brady!

 Brady wanted to touch his Christmas tree shaped beard!

 We couldn't resist a picture with the Muppet's Movie display!

Nov. 22nd - 7 wks 3 day ultrasound

Ok, I'm playing catch up! Amanda's first ultrasound with her OB here in town was November 22!! The babies were 7 weeks 3 days and measuring 7 weeks 4 days...

 Measuring one of the babies here:

We are double blessed and so thankful that Amanda is feeling great and that the babies are doing well!

Boom Boom Boom.. 2 little heartbeats beating strong! The twins are doing great!!

Monday, November 14 we heard the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.. our little sweet pea's hearts beating strong.. Listen to our little miracles..

This was a moment I will never forget. It was also our last visit to the Sher Institute/SIRM. Amanda has now been released to her own OB.. it was bittersweet.. I'll miss celebrating with the wonderful staff at Medical City Dallas, but looking forward to watching our little ones grow with a new medical team. Amanda's OB delivered her two beautiful kids and the u/s tech, Lauren, is a wonderful friend of ours (her son's also go to school with our boys).. So we are looking forward to our visit with her next Tuesday, November 22nd and our 7 wk ultrasound!

After our unbelievable ultrasound, we decided to head over to the mall and Amanda and I had fun shopping for maternity clothes! I had no idea Old Navy had maternity clothes! SO much fun!

Then we headed over just blocks away to Amanda's sweet grandparent's for a delicious dinner! They live in the most beautiful & elegant retirement community I've ever seen. At dinner the men are required to wear black coats.. don't our men look handsome??

Once again, I can't thank everyone enough for all of your support & prayers!! Please continue to pray that Amanda & the babies have an uneventful, healthy pregnancy!

Oh, and the due date is: July 7, 2012 but since it's twins, they said 2-4 weeks prior is more realistic. Amanda will schedule a c-section when it comes closer to time. 

I think we're seeing double..

Our first look at our little sweet peas!! 5 weeks, 3 days..

We are all elated right now!!!!!! Thank you to everyone for your sweet prayers.. our dreams are coming true! Both babies are snuggled in close together and doing great!! Next Monday will be our 6 wk 3 day ultrasound and at that point we will be able to see their little hearts flutter! We feel so blessed right now and just ask for everyone's continued prayers for both babies & Amanda! The ride home was amazing.. we all had permanent smiles on our faces, I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.. We are on cloud 9!! 

Tick Tock..

So our 2nd beta was Monday and it was a GREAT number! Everything is going GREAT... but, this wait until Monday's ultrasound is killing me!!!

Can I just fast forward to Monday???

The number of the day is...

Beta 12dp5dt

BAM!  Now that is what I am talking about!!!!  The general rule is that you want beta levels to double every 48 hours.  With this said, we were looking for anything over 345, so 585 is a rockin' beta level!  This  is definitely confirmation that our pregnancy is on the right track!  God's plan is unfolding before our very eyes and our dreams are coming true!  Glory be to God.  

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2Corinthians 9:15 

Beta for 9dp5dt is......

138!!!!!! We are so happy! That's a good, strong number!! We are definitely pregnant!!!!

Amanda's next beta will be Monday!! Please continue to keep us in your prayers!!! We are just over the moon right now excited!!!!!!!

Waiting for the first beta results...

Amanda went to a clinic here this morning to have her first beta drawn.. Now we're just patiently & anxiously waiting on the results!!

While we're waiting, I thought I'd share some pictures of the kids last night at a Halloween Party at our fitness center.. The kids had a blast!!

Cheese!! Hunter, Braxton & Brady

Brady indulging in the yummy, chocolate covered fruit!

Bailey, the pretty, pink, pirate!

Whatcha have in your candy bucket Bailey?

trick-or-treat!

Time for zumba!! Doing the robot dance! haha.. this was TOO funny!

So adorable!

Bailey won first for best costume!!

Relaxing after a long night of fun!

Pregnant or not pregnant.. that IS the question!

Ok, so it started Sunday, October 23rd.. We decided to start REALLY early on the HPTs... We couldn't wait until Monday as previously planned, even though we knew this was really early to be testing, but we did it anyway all in fun.. So Sunday morning Amanda saved her urine in a cup at 3.5dp5dt (3.5 days past a 5 day transfer..) and then Rudy & I went over their house that night where Amanda took 2 pregnancy tests.. One tested the morning urine and one from the evening... She left them in the bathroom, turned off the lights, then a few minutes later Randy, Amanda, Rudy & I cautiously walked in, not really expecting to see anything.. but knowing if you can even see the faintest line, it's a great sign.. and here's what happened...

After comparing the 3.5 day to the 4 day, we could definitely see a difference. The 3.5 day test did not showa second line at all, but the 4 day had a faint line that you could definitely see. So after about 20 minutes of staring at the tests, lol, the guys were saying what if that one test was a fluke.. or what if the line was already there and we hadn't noticed before, etc..lol.. So, that's all it took.. Amanda was going to take another test to confirm if our eyes were just playing tricks on us.. but first, the guys had to examine the test & make sure that there was absolutely no line showing prior to her taking the test:

VIDEO:

So after the guys agreed there were NO lines Amanda was off to take the final 4 day (4dp5dt) First Response test.

VIDEO:

What an unbelievable night!! This only left us more excited for the next night, hoping to see a darker line. So Rudy, Braxton & I went back over Randy & Amanda's the following night (Monday). After dinner Amanda had glow bracelets & necklaces for the kids to play with while we tested our day 5 test:

VIDEO:

So while the kids played, Amanda went back to take another test so we could see if the line was any darker than the previous day. It was a different test than she had taken the previous night, and we were a little disappointed the line wasn't any darker.. :( So, the guys suggested she take a digital, just for fun to see if it showed positive. Amanda was definitely hesitant at first, she was afraid we'd all be disappointed if it said "Not Pregnant".. but we all assured her we wouldn't be disappointed and I think we all subconsciously knew that it was way too early for a digital positive (which has to have at least 40-50 HCG level) to show "Pregnant".. So here's the video of what happened.. You can see at the beginning that we were all thinking it wasn't going to be a good result since it is only 5 days past & probably way to early for a digi positive.. so here's what happened:

VIDEO:

Was that not amazing or what??????? WOW!!! We're pregnant!!!!!! This was such a magical moment that I'll never forget! I just can't stop watching this video and reliving this moment. We just feel so blessed right now. Thank you Lord for blessing us and answering our prayers!!

Here are some of our HPT pictures!!

This was Monday's.. 5dp5dt!!

This is today's (Wednesday, 7dp5dt)

The first beta test is this Friday!! 9dp5dt!! We'll update you soon on the results!!

Thank you everyone for your continued prayers!!! We are just over the moon excited right now!!

Transfer Video!!

This and That...Oh yeah and THE TRANSFER!!!!

"Their peas are in my pod!"

Progesterone, you are no friend of mine!  Six days before transfer I started daily doses of the dreaded progesterone.  We are not talking about small doses here, we are talking 2cc EVERY SINGLE DAY!  My bum is so very sore, red, irritated and bruised! One might think that the big fat 1 1/2 inch needle would be the painful part.  That needle may look scary but it's not the actual stick from the needle or the injecting of the medication that bothers me, it's the soreness that occurs deep in my muscle the next day.  Some days the soreness is not so bad, more like I just had a great workout (wishful thinking).  Other days, I feel as though I was SHOT (no pun intended) in the butt  and its so painful that I walk funny all day long.   I am allowed to whine a bit, right?  I am slowly learning that if I break the injections in half this helps tremendously with the pain.  Heather, our nurse from SIRM, suggested injecting 1cc in one side and 1 cc in the other side.  Even though, yes it is 2 separate sticks, this will most definitely relieve soreness and pain.  Deep massaging and applying heat around the injection site have also helped with relief. I will be continuing the progesterone until we see the heartbeat of a little peanut or a negative pregnancy is discovered.  

As you may have already read earlier in our blog, we had dinner over at Kristen & Rudy's Monday night.  It was a chance for us all to fellowship and celebrate together before the transfer.  We had the opportunity to meet and visit with Jerry and Carolyn, who are Kristen's Mom and Step-Dad.  After our delicious fajita dinner, we visited a bit more before Kristen and Rudy presented me with the a basket full of goodies!  The  most important gifts in the basket, that were sticking out like a sore thumb, of course were the 2 boxes of pregnancy tests.  Awww...thanks you guys, what I always wanted!  Also included in the basket were lots of Bath & Body works aromatherapy relaxation kits, bath salts, personalized coffee/drink cup, jewelry that is symbolic to our journey, and my very favorite part of the whole basket was the "Putting their peas in my Pod" T-shirt!  Love, love that!   

 Although Kristen already blogged about Transfer day,  I also wanted to write a little bit about that day.  The day went just as planned!  No hiccups!  The number one question that is just so natural for people to ask is "Are you nervous or are you getting nervous?" My answer which was surprising to some was, "No".   My heart has been at peace since we started our journey and continued even throughout the transfer.  God has a plan, one which I have in trusted full faith in!  

Please continue praying that God's will is served during this chapter in all of our lives.  What most of you may not realize is that there is only a 50% chance that I will even become pregnant.  You would think it would be a given when they put two healthy embryos into a snug healthy uterus that surely a pregnancy would result.  However, that is not the case.  Next Friday, October 28 is when I am scheduled for my first blood work to be drawn.  Hopefully the levels will determine if we are pregnant or not.  Think positive!

Since the transfer I have been a complete bum and couch potato.  Transfer Protocol requires 24 hours bed rest!  Randy has been taking good care of me; I couldn't ask for a better hubby to support me throughout this process.  Stay tuned for updates...

Brady is quite the photographer as he captures Braxton in front of the skeleton 

My Kristen & Rudy! 

Hopefully this time next year there will be more lil' ones!

Transfer day - We did it!!!!!!!!!

Wow, words can't even express the feelings I have wrapped around my heart right now. Honestly, today could not have gone any better!! After dropping off Brax, sitting through an hour of lecture.. I met Rudy at my mother-in-law's around 10:15am. She was boasting with excitement about what was to come later in the day (as were we). Rudy and I hopped in the truck & drove over to Randy's mom's (2 blocks away!) and we picked up Randy & Amanda and off we were to the big "D"!

When we arrived in Dallas we had about 1 hour to spare, so we grabbed a quick bite at "In & Out Burger"! Rudy & I had never been there before and I must admit, it was really good!! Then we headed on over to the hospital and we had "Rockstar" parking as Amanda would say, lol..
I insisted that we take some pictures in the beautiful lobby and one by-stander was so nice to take this group shot of all of us!

After an employee told us we were "taking magnificent photos, but we would have to stop because of patient protection", lol.. We headed up to the 6th floor of the hospital and waited for a short while and then Randy & Amanda went back and she gowned up.. Look how cute they are!

a few minutes later we walked back and then the embryologist informed us that our 2 frozen embryos (in straw #1) were looking great.. expanding and looking well!

 A few minutes later they wheeled Amanda back with Randy to get her prepared for the transfer. After about 15 minutes Rudy & I went back and saw our beautiful little embryos snuggle in with Amanda and hopefully make a home for the next 8 months!!! It was so surreal.. I think I had chills the entire time.. I'll post the video soon! It went seamlessly with no problems at all! The next 30 minutes were the hardest part.. Amanda had a full bladder and she had to lay flat for half an hour before getting up to go.. Amanda had saved the "Friends" episode where Phoebe is a surrogate for her brother on her iPad. So we listened to it and took pictures to occupy the time and help the minutes pass for Amanda until she could finally get up and run to the restroom!

 Plenty of time to take pictures & absorb the reality of what was happening.. a miracle..

So after 30 min. of laying still, Amanda got up and carefully walked to the restroom.. when she came out we took this picture below with our amazing Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr. Saleh..

On our way out we talked to a few employees at SIRM including Heather who helped Amanda with her new schedule. She'll continue to take estrogen twice a week, suppository, Progesterone injections every night until heartbeat (ouch, poor thing!) and no picking up anything heavier than 10 lbs until heartbeat. We walked out of the hospital and Rudy & Randy went to get the truck while Amanda & I sat on the bench discussing when we should take the first pregnancy test (how exciting!!). We decided to start really early just for fun, so next Sunday evening we'll all get together and she'll take the first test at 3.5dp5dt.

On our way back home we were all on cloud 9! I think we all had a permanent smile on our face and enjoyed reminiscing about our amazing day!

When we arrived in Waco, Randy's mom Janie & Mike had us all over for chicken fried steak!! It was oh so good and so sweet of them to do for all of us!! All the kids had fun playing together.. Amanda & Randy even had a sweet bday card for Rudy since today is his birthday!! Oh, and you have to check out this sweet pic of Amanda & Brax! What do you think about the shirt we got her, lol!!

After we left Mike & Janie's, my mom had us a bday cake for Rudy & a transfer day cake!! What a surprise..

I honestly couldn't have dreamed of a better transfer day! Today was so amazing and I'm just thanking God every moment for sending us Randy & Amanda to go through this journey with!! Amanda, you are our angel and you are such an amazing woman and friend.. I love you!!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers.. we need all we can get right now.. this is the hardest part.. the wait!!! Here we go...

Celebrating the upcoming transfer!!!

Monday, October 17, 2011.. A fun evening of excitement.. looking forward to our upcoming transfer tomorrow!!!

After Brady & Braxton both said the prayer... time to eat!!

 

Miss Bailey.. she's such a doll!!!

Ok prayer warriors.. it's that time.. transfer is tomorrow at 1:15!!! Amanda, Randy, Rudy and I will all meet up in the morning and head to Dallas! Amanda will drink about 64oz of water about a hour prior to the transfer since they'd like her bladder full. When we get there we'll find out if our 2 embryos in the first straw make the thaw. If one or both don't make the thaw or expand appropriately, then they'll thaw our last straw of 2 embryos. I'm so nervous & excited.. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight!

We'll update again tomorrow and let everyone know how the transfer went. Thank you to everyone for your positive thoughts & prayers!! Keep 'em comin'!!!

Estrogen Levels & Ultrasound #2

Hello my loyal Blogger friends! The big "T" day is quickly approaching, so I wanted to give a quick update. Estrogen levels looked perfect on the first blood test, however on the second test levels were slightly lower than expected. No worries there, a simple increase in dosage put the numbers right where the doctor needed them to be.

My second ultrasound was this past Monday October 10 in Dallas. Dr. Saleh measured the lining of my uterus to make sure it was nice and thick, ready to make a comfy home for baby embies! Dr. Saleh said everything looks perfect and we can proceed with the planned transfer date of Wednesday October 19^th. Hooray for good news!

Less than 2 weeks to go!!

I can't believe we are now only 2 weeks away from our transfer!! Our tentative date is still October 19th!!

Amanda had her first ultrasound last Monday (9/26) in Dallas and Dr. Saleh said everything looks great! This Monday she had her first Estrogen test and they said her results show that her body is responding perfectly to the meds!! She had a second Estrogen test today & the RE office will receive the results tomorrow. Next Monday she'll make another trip to Dallas for her next check-up u/s and will get her med calendar for the following weeks.

So far Amanda is doing great and all is going well!! Thank you to everyone who is praying for us! We'll be updating a lot more often now that we're getting close to transfer time!! Keep your prayers coming.. they are greatly appreciated!!!

Let the FUN begin!

 Needles, needles and MORE needles! 

I am proud to announce that I started my meds and injections this past Friday September 16th.  All is well and so far I feel great.  My daily schedule consists of 10 units of Lupron (injection)  and .75mg of Dexamethazone.  In the evening I take a birth control along with a prenatal vitamin.  

The first injection was given by my wonderfully supportive husband Randy, who said he has sympathy pains for me already!  He suggested that if I inject myself, there would be less pain.  With that said, the next morning I psyched myself up and was able to give myself that dreaded shot.  I have to say, he was right about the pain, I barely felt a thing!

Thank you to everyone out there who has been praying for our families.  I personally can feel the affects of all our prayer warriors!  God is showing his amazing grace once again!  

Tentative embryo transfer will be Wednesday October 19th, which happens to be Rudy's (the intended father) Birthday.  There will be more than one reason to celebrate such a joyous day!

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

Thank You!

Our news has been well received!  Thank you to everyone first and foremost for your prayers and also for all of your encouraging, kind words.  I want to share with you all a few of the emails I have received in the last week or so...

I have to tell you that I think that is the most wonderful, loving and amazing thing a couple could do for another couple. –Dusty Young

Amazing, Amanda!  You have such such a servant's heart.  You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.       -Janessa Wilkins

Wow! What a blessing that will be!  That would be awesome to have a baby for someone else who desparately wants a child.  May God bless your journey! –Darlene Scheler

Wow, Amanda! I am excited to hear how God has been working in your life and how you are being obedient to His call. –Jennifer Carpenter

I wanted to wish you the best on your journey through this experience. Also will be praying for an easy pregnancy for you. I have much respect for you setting out on this amazing adventure. –Natalie Pollock

What an amazing gift you are giving to your sweet friends! You have been and will continue to be in my prayers.  -April Schafer

  

We are happy for all of you.  That is such a wonderful endeavor.  We certainly hope things go well for each of you.  -Bettye Holland

Wow, that's awesome Amanda!  We will be praying for you guys as you go through this journey in your life. –Matt Thomas

WOW what a journey! Congratulations. –Betty Dupree

What a beautiful gift you are giving to your friends and their baby, or babies! Brent and I think you and Randy are some of the kindest, most genuine people we've ever met, and we will be praying right alongside you as you embark on this journey. Your willingness to heed God's call and bless someone in this way is inspirational! We wish all four of you nothing but the best! Thank you for sharing your special story! -Tiffany McFarling

My heart is happy, filled with warmth and love.  Thank you.

Step 1.. Prenatal Vitamins!

I was at work today and I looked down at my phone and I had a text from Amanda with this picture...

and the text read... "You would think I am trying to get pregnant or something, LOL!" That had me laughing so hard, I just had to share! So glad we both have a fun sense of humor!

My first post to our Blog- My story

For those of you who have not heard, an amazing journey is about to begin!  In a few short months, hopefully through God’s amazing grace, I will become a surrogate mother for some dear friends of ours, Rudy & Kristen.  Kristen & I are co-authors of this blog and if you read one of the earlier posts, Kristen blogged about how we all met.  Basically, Randy, Rudy and Kristen have known each other for the past 20+ years.  I remember meeting Kristen for the first time when I went with Randy to his senior prom.  LOL!  (just thinking of my AWFUL updo!!!)  Kristen & I really started getting to know one another at playdates during the last 3 or 4 years.  She and Rudy are as sweet as can be! 

I have been called, summoned, lead, etc…for this is my mission in life.  One that is without a doubt the path that God has chosen for Randy and me.  It’s not very often in ones life that they are so absolutely positive and passionate about the plans that God has made. 

The Lord has been working in my heart for the last 4 years, preparing me for my surrogacy journey.  I remember vividly the morning He laid it on all my heart.  Brady was about 9 months old, sleeping just fine during the night. However, I was up at 4:30 in the morning with a strong urge to research and find out everything there was to know about Surrogacy. Why?   All I know is that now looking back, is that God’s hands were wrapped around my heart at that very moment!  He has been preparing my heart and Randy’s heart the last 3 ½ years for the opportunity to give the gift of life. 

I have to admit, Randy was not on board with this at first, but through prayer, understanding and guidance he is as enthusiastic as I am about the chance we may have to give Kristen and Rudy a little miracle.  Randy says that this whole journey will be worth it when we can lay that precious little baby in Kristen and Rudy’s arms. 

TOP 2 Questions people ask me

“I could never do that”- The number one comment friends and family say when I tell them about our news.  Well of course you can’t, its not what God has called you to do in life, but as for me, this is the path He has created for me at this time in my life. 

“How are going to be able to give the baby up?”- Peoples!  It’s not mine!  I am going to be what is called a gestational surrogate; meaning the egg and sperm are from the Intended Parents (Kristen & Rudy).  I am in no way genetically related to the baby.  The moment I look forward to the most is the moment when I get to hand the baby or babies over to Kristen and Rudy. 

I just want to say that I feel absolutely blessed to be able to become a surrogate for Kristen & Rudy.  Indeed this is a match made in Heaven!

In closing, I leave you with a quote by the famous Mark Twain…

“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.”

“So throw off the bowlines sail away from the safe harbor catch the trade wind in your sails...

explore, dream, discover.” -Mark Twain

Cycle Prep Calendar for September!

Ok, I hate so much that Amanda has to go through a month of injections & meds.. this is definitely a part I wish she didn't have to go through (Amanda, I love you for going through this for us!!!) Fortunately, her amazing hubby is a pharmacist and gives Amanda & their adorable kiddos their flu shots every year, so he can help her with the shots if needed (I know I would!)

For any surrogates who may be reading our blog & are interested.. She is taking prenatal vitamins now & BCP and then 9/16 her calendar begins.. she'll start Dexamethasone 0.75 in AM & Lupron 5 units in AM until 10/10, (4 days within that time she'll also have E2V IM 4mg & stop taking BCP on 9/20) around 10/10 she should receive the next calendar for instructions for the next couple of weeks.. Transfer for our 2 little snow babies will be somewhere between 10/17 and 10/21!! Sooo, by Halloween we should know the news.. praying for a little miracle (or two)!!

Circus - date night with the boys!!

Wow, what an amazing night!! It started Chic-fil-a, Amanda & I met with the boys.. they were so excited to go to the circus! They played for a bit on the playground, then we headed over to the Circus!

We got there an hour early so we could sit in the Circus Ring during the pre-show. It was so neat how they involved the kids & let them dance, hula-hoop, jump rope, and see the animals up close..

After the pre-show Amanda surprised Braxton & Brady with light-up swords.. oh, they were in heaven!

We also got them snow cones in light-up elephant cups!

Once we were ready to sit, I led us down to the FRONT ROW so we could be up close & personal for the entire show.. I was so excited to surprise everyone with our seats!


At one point during the show the silly clown gave the boys high fives.. they loved that! It was one of the best nights and I really enjoyed our date night with our boys.. We'll definitely have to do that again sometime! Goodnight! =)

Double-date night with the boys at the circus!!

I'm super excited to take our kiddos to the circus tonight!!! Amanda & I are taking the boys and this will be Brax's first circus.. and mine too!! Will update later tonight from the circus!!

June 23, 2011 - First Appointment!

Our first appointment!!!!!! I was so excited about our first appointment, I could barely sleep the night before!

So the morning of our appt we all met at school & we kissed are little guys goodbye and off we went to our first appointment! When we arrived in DFW we decided to have lunch at the delicious Cheesecake Factory!

We had such a good time talking about the future & our journey together.. Next, we stopped in to visit Amanda's grandparents who live just 3 blocks away from our RE's office at the hospital. We were introduced to both her grandparents & her stepmom and they were all so sweet.. we enjoyed visiting with them and I look forward to seeing them again!

Next we headed over to the hospital. We sat in the waiting room for a while finishing paperwork & then waiting to go back.. here's a little snippet of us waiting in the waiting room..

...then moments later our RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) opened the door and welcomed us all back. It was so good seeing him.. he's such a warm-hearted, caring physician whom I have so much respect for. He asked about Brax & wanted to see current pictures. I thanked him as I have many times before for helping create our little miracle! He expressed that he was excited to help us with another miracle.. Rudy & I walked out of his office to the waiting room & we just couldn't stop smiling from the excitement! Randy & Amanda talked with Dr. Saleh.. she had her lab work, u/s & mock embryo transfer.. then the nurse went over Amanda's med. calendar with her while Dr. Saleh updated us in the waiting room & let us know that Amanda's u/s went great and he didn't foresee any problems for the transfer!

So after our appointment we drove back to town & we all had a nice dinner and cheered to the beginning of our amazing journey ahead! Later that evening Rudy & I sat in bed pinching ourselves with tears in our eyes.. is this really happening?? We still can't believe it.. how did we get so lucky??