Long Overdue

Where do I even start? Life became super busy after I had the twins. I soaked up every bit of my maternity leave with my children over the summer and I had a shift in my position at work that has required crazy amounts of my time. It's been six months since I gave birth to my sweet surro babes. That is so crazy to say SIX MONTHS.

There were a few things going into this surrogacy that I wanted to experience if possible, but ultimately would be happy with whatever the outcome was. I was hoping to carry a boy since I had my two girls, I wanted to be able to make a surprise call to their mamma when it was go time, and I wanted to experience what actual labor is like. I am a repeat c-section mamma so the last two in my mind were most likely not going to happen, but we can all dream.

In my last post I was 32 weeks and things were smooth sailing. My, how things can change in the blink of an eye. Just a short week later, I found myself in labor and delivery with some pretty intense cramping. That cramping turned out to be contractions that were progressively getting worse. After a few different medication attempts to stop labor the choice was made to transfer to a bigger hospital more equipped to care for preterm twins. The boys took their very first airplane ride in utero! To make a long story short, labor was finally stopped and I was released after 4 days in the hospital. I was put on bed rest so we could hopefully get the boys to at least 36 weeks. Trying to waddle myself around would get the contractions stirring, but thankfully would stop if I cooled my jets. For those of you who know me, taking it easy or having others do things for me is not easy. I did it though! I hit 36 weeks and with the boys trying to call the shots, I had a new c-section date set for June 26th at 37 weeks 1 day.

The boys had different plans and were most definitely still calling the shots. June 22nd was an off day for me. I had told the boys mother that I had felt off all day. I was emotional and just in this weird funk. I literally bawled trying to get a package of meat out of the freezer. I went to bed that evening more uncomfortable, hot and flat out more miserable than normal. At almost 37 weeks pregnant with twins uncomfortable is a way of life, so I didn't think anything was actually going on. Around 1am I was sleeping, but coherent enough to feel a pop. Let me tell you that getting out of bed at this point is a sight for sore eyes. It’s this attempt of rolling/sliding off the bed to hopefully make it to your feet and then catching your breath once you are up. I wish I had a recording of myself getting out of bed when I felt that pop!! I deserve a medal for that move is all I know! I was up and out of bed before a huge gush of water hit the floor. How I didn't get a drop on the bed baffles me. This wasn't a trickle of fluid it was a flood. Shaking like a leaf I woke my husband up who thought I was having a leg cramp until he felt my wet leg. Its funny how a little amniotic fluid will wake a person right up. He flew out of bed and grabbed me a towel to contain the lake I had around me feet and I made my way to the bathroom leaving a trail behind me.

When I made it to the bathroom, I called the boys' mom. She answered in just a few short rings. Excited and scared this was it. The boys were coming! She was going to get things situated at home and they would be on their way. After a few more phone calls we left for the hospital. At this point, I wasn't contracting. If I was, I didn't know it from all the adrenaline. We made it just outside of town and the pain started. Contractions. Real active labor contractions are no joke! Add two moving babies and leaking fluid in the middle of a contraction and you have a full on party! We made it to the hospital shortly after 2am, I think. I was definitely in labor- contracting every 2 minutes and ready to finally meet these boys. Mom and Dad made it to the hospital around 3am and we had a c-section time for around 6. At 6:33am Orion 6lbs 8oz and Jagger 6lbs 5oz met their mom and dad. The one thing I wanted my intended parents to know at the birth was not to worry about me. This was their long awaited moment with THEIR babies. I wasn't going anywhere. After they had their time alone to count fingers and toes and to just stare at that those beautiful little beings, I'd be there. I after all, I had them with me for almost 9 months. Shortly after recovery when I was feeling much better, Shiloh and Lindsey AKA Dad and Mom introduced me to the boys. With tears in each of our eyes, Lindsey handed me Orion. I can tell you there is no greater feeling in the world than to watch two amazingly-deserving people look at their babies. Little memories that only I can keep like the smile Lindsey gave her son while she fed him or the way Shiloh lowered his ear to make sure they were breathing. Those little moments are why I wanted to become a surrogate. The indescribable joy I received from my children, I was able to give back.

Seven weeks after the boys were born, baby C that Lindsey was carrying was born. Willow is a beautiful, head full of dark hair angel. It is one busy household with four children all two and under, but it’s also one blessed household. From adoption to surrogacy to natural conception it's not a story you will hear of often. To think I'm lucky enough to be part of it!

I hear more often than not, “that had to have been so hard”. No, it wasn't hard. I knew exactly what I was doing going into this and those sweet little boys were not mine. Now, was it emotional? Yes. The day we all were discharged from the hospital, I was a mess. Ugly crying is an understatement. I wasn't sad, I was overcome with emotion. This long journey had came to an end. This wasn't goodbye. I knew I had gained a new family. I got more than what I prayed for. An amazing family, close proximity, TWO boys, a surprise birthday, a taste of labor and most of all, a bond. Because of surrogacy I am a better wife, mother, friend and teacher! 

Last but certainly not least, I have to thank my husband. He graciously sacrificed his wife for a year while I fulfilled my dream. He was my shoulder to cry on, shot giver, maid, and Mr. Mom. He was just as involved in the process as I was and I could not have done it without him. Thank you babe.