Eleven Week Ultrasound & 1/5 Baby Shower

Yup, Carlos' wife is pregnant with a baby, that isn't his, and he is totally cool with it. Brian got a picture text to him from me of another woman carrying his baby (whoops! Baby bump pic spoiler alert! coming tomorrow!) while he is in the field. I imagine there are plenty of fun stories surrogates and intended parents have to this effect. Lol.

Alien Baby! :-)

I just started a new job, and one question I get every time I talk to someone new I work with, is if I have kids. Right now, sometimes I say, not yet. Sometimes I say that "We are expecting in April." Sometimes I actually explain. But the simple answers are not going to work here in the next couple months. Through this whole process the last 2 years (yes, it has almost been 2 years!!), I have "met" many surrogates. Unfortunately, the Intended Parent "network" isn't as easy to find.

It takes a minute to explain our situation, but I have found that most of the time when I have chosen to take the time to talk to someone about it, it has been such a good thing. People have so many questions. I have had 2 people the last couple weeks that I have talked to a lot, that have apologized for all the questions. I am so happy to share this story. I have met so many that have gone through years of infertility and miscarriages, and either they are still waiting for their miracle, or they have their miracle, and I just love when people are able to share that story with me when they wouldn't normally share. Also, every time I share our story I am reminded of just how much of a "GOD THING" this whole miracle is!

Such a cute profile!!!

Quick synopsis! Caryn advertised for a babysitter on pendletonyardsales.com. If you have ever looked for a babysitter on a resale site, you can imagine how many responses she received. I was looking for a babysitting job, replied to many on that site, and emailed back and forth with Caryn for a bit, then met with her and she hired me. Almost exactly 4 years later, she will be giving birth to our child!

On September 17th, Caryn had an ultrasound at the Naval hospital. She was 11 Weeks. This one, Brian got to come to. It was so funny, because it was a group of 3 of us going back when they called Caryn's name. The nurse, or whatever he was called that did Caryn's initial signing in when we got in the room, didn't even say anything about it. The midwife was so great. She was very good at incorporating us when appropriate, but then allowing privacy time for Caryn. Yes, it is our baby, but it is Caryn's pregnancy, and she made it a very comfortable separation of the 2.

Waving! Hi Baby Stone!!!

Brian left for training in Northern California at the end of September, and the Family Readiness team from his unit put on an amazing baby shower for all the new babies and pregnant wives of the unit. We are so blessed to have such amazing support from our 1/5 Family. Caryn and the kids went with me. It was a great time for me and Caryn to be able to do something social together. The kids got to do a craft in the child care room. It was great to see some of the ladies and get to meet even more. :-) I was so sad, because I could feel a cold coming on strong, and there were so many babies I just wanted to play with and hold, but I wanted to keep my distance. :-(

 



Again, I know I say this all the time, but I will never be able to say it enough. We are so, so grateful for every one of you that have been with us through this past 2 years and those that we are just now being able to share our story with. All of your love, support, kind words, and prayers are what has helped get us to this point. I truly am still in shock that this is real. I don't know when it will actually sink in, but this is real! We are having a baby! Caryn is 14 weeks pregnant, and time is going to just continue to speed up (especially since I am just the one getting ready for baby, even the last trimester is going to go quickly for me.)!

Final Trip to Arizona at 8 Weeks

A whole month ago, Caryn blogged HERE about our final trip to Arizona.

We were all kind of hoping that both embryos had taken, and that we would have 2 babies on the way. There was one. There was about a second and a half of disappointment, and then just pure joy that one took. I could go on and on analyzing why we wanted 2, and why 1 is better, but we have a healthy baby growing, and that is just a MIRACLE!!

Unfortunately, Brian was unable to go with us on that trip, but I recorded the whole thing, and we watched it together when I got home. The "gummy bear" was so active. It was just so exciting to see. The heartbeat is perfect! We actually never got the audio on it, but we could see the actual heart beating.

Caryn and I were so happy to be able to see everyone that we had been working with for the last year at the clinic. We almost missed Dr. Nemiro, but we caught him just as he was between patients. I saw him down the hall and said "You want to see a picture of our baby!?" So glad we were able to thank each of them for everything that they had done, and looking forward to sending a birth announcement to them. One of the nurses, was very sad that Brian didn't get to come. She loves his car, and was disappointed to not be able to talk about it one more time. Haha!

From the time they froze the embryos, they all liked to rub in that, because of the genetic testing, they knew what the embryos were (male/female) and we didn't. We decided that we would wait until a normal ultrasound would be able to show. Since there was only one, Caryn and I decided just out of curiosity we would ask if they put in one of each or 2 of the same. Either answer would not tell us what it was. Turns out they put in one of each. So, even the nurses, doctors, and embryologist don't know which one is growing in there!

In these pictures, (I don't know if you can tell) the babies head is at the bottom. Baby is 8 Weeks and 1 day. Due date is April 8th.

Just so excited!!! Speechless! Enjoying every moment!