Congratulations Julie!

Big hugs from Hanne and Tommy

You've got mail

I sent an email yesterday to coworkers to spill the beans and the #1 question I am asked today... "Does this mean you get to go to Norway?" Funny. Who would have thought that folks think that, first and foremost. I suppose it goes to reason, but it has caught me off-guard. Yes, I suppose we will eventually visit Trondheim now, more than we would have a year ago, but it has always been in my plans to go back to Norway in the summer. After spending three weeks there in the winter, I would love to see a change in season.

Here is the email I sent:

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

Yes, I'm doing it again! It is with much excitement that I wish to share what a miracle I will be giving back to the world next Spring. Some of you may have wondered if the weight I gained over the summer would ever go away, but in your kindness have opted not to say anything. Others may have already seen the glow in my face and suspected I was up to something.

So to make a long story, short: I am now 11 weeks pregnant. And this life force I am carrying will only be raised by me for the first 9 months of its lifetime. I am a gestational surrogate for a wonderful couple from Norway, Hanne & Tommy. We have spent time over the last year getting to know one another and I cannot express in words how thrilled I am to help them realize their dream of becoming a family!

It is my hope that you will share in this joy with me and support me throughout this journey. As it is a personal decision and there are aspects of this which are not mine to share, please also know that I will respect the privacy of the intended parents by not answering some questions. This was such a fabulous experience the first time, I couldn't help but want to do it again!

With warm regards,

Julie

This is very simliar to the one I sent a couple of years ago, with a few tweaks. I am getting supportive congratulations all around!

11 Weeks

Just a little something to update you on baby's progress this week. This comes from one of the many pregnancy websites out there in cyberworld.

Your Baby
All of your baby's vital organs are now formed and functioning, so the risk of defects decreases this week as your baby becomes less susceptible to outside influences. Phew! Other exciting developments include:

Baby's ears are assuming their proper place this week and the fingernail and toenail beds are beginning to form. Your little "pumpkin head" really lives up to his nickname as his head is nearly as big as the rest of his body.

While testes or ovaries are completely formed now, don't start decorating the nursery. You won't be able to see your baby's gender for a few more weeks yet.

Your baby is really on the move now. In an ultrasound you might be able to see your little acrobat flailing his or her arms and legs and doing somersaults worthy of Cirque du Soleil. You still won't be able to feel any movement, so if you feel something "kick" in there, it's probably gas.

In the next nine weeks, your baby will increase 30 times in weight and almost triple in length. You might feel like you're increasing 30 times in weight at this point, too, but we can assure you're not—because, honey, you ain't seen nothin' yet!

Your baby now weighs a third of an ounce, about the same as two small, Starbucks-sized packets of sugar; is about 2 inches long, the length of one of those sugar packets. Isn't that sweet?

10 Weeks Heartbeat & First Prenatal

We heard a heartbeat, which I tried to tape, but it didn't come out very well. It was a good, yet uneventful appointment, all the way around. I made my next few appointments and our 20 week ultrasound falls around Thanksgiving. This will be a gender reveal, but you all only get to know if Hanne & Tommy are sharing! Otherwise, my lips are sealed.

For now, you'll just have to picture me here, with the nurse listening in for baby's heartbeat. Maybe next time we'll have some beautiful audio to share with everyone!

Tusen takk

I arrived home after work yesterday to find this lovely gift basket had arrived. What a special treat and the flowering plant is absolutely goregous! Many thanks to you, Hanne & Tommy, for thinking of me yet again. Your thoughtfulness is ever so gracious and heart-warming.

We are having a quick beginning to fall, and the beautiful color in this plant will help us hold onto summer for just a few more weeks until autumn is officially upon us.

Together, we will go through quite a few seasons, and we are blessed by your presence in our lives!

Waiting & Eating & Waiting...

Lots of waiting going on for the next 213 days and maybe some long weeks in between with nothing to post! So I found this cute countdown clock this morning and posted it on the sidebar. If it helps us pass the time ~ great, but if it drives you crazy Hanne & Tommy, let me know and I'll take it down.

It's been a good week, filled with morning sickness and a slowly expanding waistline. Have we talked yet about what types of foods I should be eating to acclimate baby's taste buds? Maybe you need to send some delicious Norwegian recipes that JP can make up? .giggle. Otherwise, I did warn you that I have a craving for Mexican foods while pregnant?! Not the spicy kind (you know me, Miss Minnesota Mild), just the good old fashioned beans, rice & chicken enchiladas and fajitas!

Yum.

And look at that, it's lunch time!

Another hurdle we've completed... Dr. Campbell's office just called and I can stop PIO and Estrace!!

I'm officially released to Dr. Elfstrand's office. Yippeeee!! My first appointment there is this coming Friday.

Correction: There was a new receptionist at OB's office, my first appointment is next Monday, September, 15th.

Click here to see
Me, doing the happy dance!

Cheers!

JP finally opened the bottle of wine that Tommy & Hanne gave him. We toasted to 9 weeks, new friends and a wonderful journey... him with his wine and me with my water. He said it was a very smooth wine and very good with the pasta dinner we enjoyed. I just watched & drooled in envy. Smile.

September

By the end of this month...
I will have been released to and seen my OB for care;
JP will have given me daily PIO injections for 10 weeks;
Baby will have reflexes and sucking movements!
The mid-day sickness will be gone, and I'll not be as tired;
Hanne & Tommy will be thinking of baby names and nursery colors!
and,
We will be heading into the second trimester already!