WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY BLAZE born August 2009 !!! And now our girl/boy TWINS Dylan & Jett joined our blessed little family July 2011.
We have had a long journey to begin a family. Much of our search turned up empty when looking into options for surrogacy. This is why we started this BLOG to help others learn more about options for Surrogacy in India.
Good Luck with your journey and hope we have helped shed a little light.
Our dear India surrogacy buddy, friend and faithful follower got the wonderful news that, she is PREGNANT!!!! We couldn't be more happy for Jojo and her hubby. First attempt with SI and her egg donor and tah dah...their pregnant! CONGRATULATIONS Jojo and Tim it couldn't happen to nicer people.
Kristin, our daughter/step-daughter has arrived in India safe and sound and her 3 month journey is just beginning. We know she will absolutely love India and they will love her too. We can't wait to hear updates.
Just got our copy of our week 9 ultrasound and it brought tears to our eyes... Our little angel actually is starting to look like a baby. Gerry's first response...'It's a BOY!' Okay, so we have no idea of the sex...yet, but if that's what he thinks then I will definitely let him go with it. Boy or Girl they are already so dearly loved and we can't wait to meet them!
As per our itinerary we are schedule for our next scan sometime this week! We are on baited breath to see how much our little one has grown. Thank you Docs for making this feel so real and so close to our hearts.
Okay, we are at 11 weeks today and counting! Gerry started to prime the nursery to get ready to paint. He is not playing fair! I know he is secretly buying stuff without telling me. The Doctors really want us to come for a visit and Gerry is convinced that this is a good idea too...I think I am out-numbered! So don't be surprised if we make a mid-pregnancy trip to Mumbai in the next few months.
Your Baby at 11 weeks:
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 (not till birth for us). 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. KT still won't be able to feel any movement, so if KT feels something "kick" in there, it's probably gas.
This web site shows an ultrasound of a 10 week ultrasound. Check out 'baby George at 10 weeks'. It is amazing how much our baby is moving...already!
In the next nine weeks, your baby will increase 30 times in weight and almost triple in length. KT might feel like you're increasing 30 times in weight at this point, too, but we can assure she's not—because, honey, she 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?
I know I sound like a broken record, but we truly are blessed, blessed, blessed!!! Those people I am surrounded by, never cease to amaze me with their goodness and selfishness. You never really know how special some people are until they take you by surprise. I have been in my line of work for many years, and still to this day I am amazed at how wonderful some of my staff can be. Gerry and I have certainly not been shy about telling everyone about our journey. Through the highs and lows we have had so much support and so many kind remarks made to us. One of my Certified Nursing Assistants, who I see once in a blue moon, left me a beautiful card and gift the other day. A Willow Tree ornament and a toy for the baby. When I read the card, it brought tears to my eyes. Then the very next day, I received another smaller version of a similar ornament from a different C.N.A. I never imagined this kind of bighearted gestures from my staff. Being the Boss, you are not always well-liked, and I still believe that its the little things in life that make you a better person. Seeing my staff give to us and more importantly give to my patients so selflessly and with such compassion, makes going to work each and every day worth every moment. I do believe in the old saying, 'what goes around comes around!' and over and over it always proves to be so. The good people prevail and the not so good, well....need I say more.
Dr. Yash called Gerry the other day to say 'hello'. He said that hearing her voice really brought a smile to his face and brightened up his day. It had been a while since he had last heard from her since she was swamped with all of the IP's, surrogates and egg donors that they had to take care of for the past 2 weeks. He took the opportunity to ask how KT was doing and she said "GREAT!, she is so happy" Dr.Yash also said that both her and Dr.Sudhir think of our baby as their own and they are taking great care of KT as if we were there to do it ourselves. That kind of personal service and devotion to their clients is what sets SI apart from the others. And yes, I am a little biased!!
Kristin, Gerry's youngest daughter, and my step-daughter, leaves in just 2 days for India. We couldn't be prouder or more excited for her. We are certain she will adore India and all it has to offer. We are jealous that she will be able to be there for 3 months. We sent her a digital camera, so she can take thousands of photos to remember her once in a lifetime experience. Safe travels Kristin, we love you!
Well for our movie review. Slumdog Millionaire we loved it! Okay, so maybe because we love Mumbai and India in general, but it was a great movie! What made it so special for us was that we knew the places they were talking about and recognized so much of the movie. We are so happy at what it will do for India and for the people of Mumbai. It makes us proud to be a part of such an amazing and diverse country, it's culture and especially, its people.
Life is good...we are on an upward swing right now. Everything in our life is amazing and is going so well, I want to pinch myself every day! It has been so long since our lives were this wonderful. Our dreams are becoming a reality. I truly can't remember the last time when we felt this GREAT! Please God don't let me wake up from this beautiful dream!
This week, as each day passes we wonder how KT is and how the Docs are doing with so many clients to take care of all at once . Tonight we got an unexpected phone call from Dr. Sudhir while he was sitting in the infamous cafe at Lilavati Hospital. Both him and Dr. Yash had just one more egg retrieval to do after a very long and busy week. He sounded so exhausted and we are certain that Dr. Yash is feeling the same. They work so hard and give 110% to each and every client. But I don't need to tell that to those of you that know them!! It was wonderful to hear his voice and it really made our evening. He said KT was 'feeling well and is very happy, and her husband is a very nice man and also very happy.' Those little bits of information are the things that allow us to picture in our minds how our pregnancy is progressing acrosss the miles. We found some great surrogacy themed t-shirts on the internet on Cafepress.com. We are both so very proud and excited about our journey and the fact that we are having a baby. Gerry's t-shirt got a few funny looks tonight as we went out for supper with my Mom and Dad. I wonder if people understand it when they read it?
There are so many clients of Surrogacy India now in the 2 week wait. We can't wait to hear the great news on many positive pregnancy's in the coming weeks. (Jojo and Jackie you are not far from our thoughts)
Tomorrow our plans are to go and see the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" It has gotten such great reviews and seeing it i'm sure will bring back so many memories that we got to personally experience in Mumbai. We will be sure to give you all our personal opinion of the movie once we see it.
Our baby is truly so spoiled already and they aren't even here yet.
I arrived at work to find that Jo had put a huge (not exaggerating) lamb on my office chair. Of course there was also a big toad (for those who are familiar with my nickname they will toad-ally get that one) and a whole bag full of lotions, and Bath and Body stuff for KT. She never ceases to amaze me! She is the most sweet and thoughtful person. The real funny thing about it all, was the card she attached to the stuffed animals that said they were both for Frankie because she knew she wasn't supposed to be buying for the baby just yet. The card read:
Frankie,
I saw these and thought of you.If you want to give them to your brother or sister that's okay.
Love, Jo
Okay Jo...only 2 more weeks to go, then you don't have to get so creative, but I still absolutely adore you for it. You are the BEST!!!
My amazing stylist, Amanda who is a busy new Mom to her sweet little girl, Riley Love born Dec. 6th is already set to plan the whole baby shower. My big Sis, Tracy who is already very busy planning a wedding and moving says, 'this is the first of the gifts!' My lovely boss, Pat who leaves me much to soon to take on another job says she has started to knit and of course my Mom, says she 'can't wait to buy, buy, buy!' I know I must be missing someone (sorry for that) as it seems like everyone who finds out is ecstatic for us. We are very blessed!
So once again I repeat we have a truly spoiled baby...already!
10 WEEKS tomorrow....
Your Baby
By the end of Week 10, your baby graduates from embryo to fetus, which literally means "little one." It also translates to "I'm just going to keep getting bigger and bigger and so are you(KT)!"
Other highlights this week:
Your baby has finally morphed from a little tadpole into, well, a baby. Not only is the face more human-like, but that unflattering "tail" (really just the developing spinal cord) has disappeared, fusing into the spinal column.
Your baby now has discernible fingers and toes, which will explain the steady stream of kicks and punches you'll(KT'll)feel down the line.
Junior's skeleton is starting to grow and harden. The ears are beginning to take shape and the eyelids are no longer transparent. Tooth buds are forming, although your baby won't get any teeth until six or seven (or eight or nine or 10) months after birth.
Baby's brain will make an incredible 25,000 new neurons every minute this week.
If you're baby is a boy, he's started producing that macho hormone testosterone. And whether your baby is a boy or a girl, the kidneys are creating copious amounts of urine. Lucky for you, you won't have to change a diaper for another 30 weeks.
Baby weighs only 4 grams and measures 1½ inches, about the size of a mondo Brazil nut.
We are your average couple, both born and raised in Canada who ventured to warmer weather, never to return. We fell in love at first sight, and the rest??? Well, you can read all about it in our journey to have a family...
Jan. 2006 - 1st RE schedules 2nd HSG, blood work and IVP.
Feb. 7, 2006 - Awaiting for start of cycle to schedule tests. Confirmed positive pregnancy test...totally out of the blue!
Feb. 27, 2006 - U/S confirms no heartbeat at 7 1/2 weeks.
Feb. 28, 2006 - Undergo D&C. Doc can't get to fetus due to the shape of my right uterus. Methotrexate injections given to induce spontaneous abortion. Have to wait for 3 months to start trying again.
June, 2006 - Start trying again naturally.
Aug. 2006 - Moved to Arizona from Florida.
Mar. 2007 - 1st IUI cycle a failure in AZ.
July 2007 - Met with OBGYN says go back to the drawing board and start over.
Aug. 2007 - 2nd HSG with RE confirms Didelphus Uterus. Recommends surrogacy.
Sept. 2007 - Consult with high risk Perinatal. Says both uteri are approximately same size, but should be able to conceive.
Oct. 3, 2007 - Back to OBGYN. Recommends surrogacy as well.
Oct. 22, 2007 - Post Coital test normal. Still no reason we aren't getting pregnant.
Oct. 29, 2007 - Endometrial biopsy. Results normal. Again, still no reason we aren't getting pregnant.
Nov. 2007 - Attended seminar on International Adoption.
Dec. 2007 - Met with a friend (a retired surrogate) to learn about surrogacy.
Jan. 4-9th, 2008 - Made our 1st contacts with 2 agencies for surrogacy in India.
Jan. 20,2008 - Spoke with our 1st reference for SurrogacyIndia.
Jan. 21, 2008 - Spoke with Dr. Yashodhara via phone. Decided we will go to India in March.
Jan. 22, 2008 - Saw PCP, blood drawn, Rx received. RE consultation report, Enrollment form and enrollment fee sent to SurrogacyIndia.
Jan. 23, 2008 - Received 2 other references to contact.
Jan. 24, 2008 - Pelvic Ultrasound(showed 2 small ovarian cysts). Unable to book hotel with our vacation ownership till April (trip switched to April now). Received our 1st surrogate profile (Sunita).
Jan. 25, 2008 - Started BCP's. Received schedule for medical treatment from Dr. Yash. Sent letter to surrogate from intended parents.
Jan. 30, 2008 - We chose Sunita for our surrogate.
Feb. 24, 2008 - Application for India Visa's sent to SanFrancisco.
Mar. 5, 2008 - Received Gonal F via Fed EX today. Received India Visa's today.
Mar. 6, 2008 - Sent 1st installment of fees via wire transfer.
Mar. 7, 2008 - Surgery for ovarian cyst removal. Picked up Lupron from pharmacy.
Mar. 14, 2008 - Received our full itinerary via e-mail from Dr. Yashodhara.
Mar. 19, 2008 - Check off list completed of all required labs and testing sent.
Mar. 24, 2008 - Found out Sunita had an emergency and had to leave the city. Need to use a backup surrogate who has been prepared for us and is already syncing her cycles with mine. Her name is Asha.
Mar. 25, 2008 - Started Lupron injections.
Mar. 28, 2008 - Stopped BCP's. Spoke with our new surrogate Asha and Dr. Yashodhara tonight. We were overwhelmed to hear the voice of the woman who will be carrying our child.
Mar. 31, 2008 - Cycle day one arrives one day early! Final pelvic ultrasound (bad news; cyst still there), final blood work.
Apr. 1, 2008 - Started Gonal F injections.
Apr. 3, 2008 - Picked up results from blood work and U/S from OBGYN.
Apr. 17, 2008 - Embryo transfer to surrogate. 5 embryo's made it for transfer. 2 grade A's, 1 grade B and remaining 2 were B-C grade.
Apr. 20, 2008 - Return home from INDIA.
Apr. 30, 2008 - Received Negative Pregnancy Test.
June 13, 2008 - Decided to go for Round #2 in India.
July 23, 2008 - Check off list underway for next trip. Reviewing surrogate profiles as after a lot of soul searching we decided we would choose a different surrogate for this cycle.
Aug. 29 -Sept. 13, 2008 - SECOND TRIP TO INDIA.
Sept. 8, 2008 - Egg Pick up day. 5 from right side and 1 from left side.
Sept.10, 2008 - Embryo transfer today to Rekha. 4 eggs made it to transfer. 3 grade A's, 1 grade B and the other 2 are left to divide further for a possible 5 day blastocyst transfer (they did not make it).
Sept. 24, 2008 - Second negative Pregnancy test results.
Oct. 5, 2008 - Back to the drawing board...Trying again on our own AND decided to use an Indian egg donor very soon.
Oct. 18, 2008 - Picked our beautiful egg donor and she and our surrogate started on their BCP's preparing to cycle very soon.
Nov. 18, 2008 - Just received confirmation our egg pick up is scheduled for Dec. 29th. Happy Holidays!
Dec. 27, 2008 - Retrieval day, 2 days ahead of schedule! 15 follicles. Retrieved 12 eggs. 10 mature and 2 immature. Transfer follows in a few days.
Dec.29, 2008 - 9 out of 10 embryo'sfertilized to grade A. 3 transferred to our surrogate KT today.
Jan. 2, 2009 - 5 day blastocyst transfer today. 3 put for blast culture. 2 formed. Today only 1 embryo looked good enough to transfer. So one more embryo transferred to KT today. We are officially in our 2WW once again.
Jan. 10, 2009 -POSITIVE pregnancy news!!!Docs had to use a back-up surrogate (KT) and her beta level is 134.
Jan. 13, 2009 - Still good news. Beta rising...336. 1st scan scheduled for Saturday.
Jan. 17, 2009 - Scan today. One perfect little yolk sac! Our due date is Sept. 23, 2009
Feb. 19, 2009 - Week 9 scan. Our little angel is beginning to look like a real baby.
Mar. 5, 2009 - 11.5 week scan today. Baby is now due Sept. 16th, 2009. FHR 165 bpm. How quickly they grow.
Apr. 19, 2009- Today we met our beautiful surrogate KT. We are officially on the same soil as our baby.
Apr. 20, 2009- 19.5 week scan today. Real life, in person we saw our baby in 3D. FHR strong and 140 bpm. The greatest sound in the world!
Apr. 22, 2009 - 1st appointment with OBGYN Dr. Anita Soni. We have 'one big baby!'
May 9, 2009- 22 week scan done today. FHR 145 bpm. Estimated Fetal weight 449 gms (+/- 15%). Average gestational age is 21w 5d. Estimated due date is Sept. 13, 2009.
May 14, 2009- KT had some spotting. Admitted to the hospital for observation. Doing fine. She is in good spirits and the scan shows no issues with our baby. KT's placenta is lying a little low. No further spotting x8 hours. Dr. Soni will do a cervical stitch as a precaution and KT will remain in hospital for a few days under observation and then off to the SI clinic for bedrest for a few more day.
May 25, 2009- 24.5 week baby belly pictures. How wonderful to see our amazing KT and our baby.
June 8, 2009- Right on schedule. Ultrasound done. KT and baby are doing well. Baby is in breech presentation. We may be looking at an early scheduled c-section.
June 28, 2009- KT and baby are doing great and right on schedule...we may just go to term!
July 14, 2009- 32 week baby belly pictures received. KT is getting BIG!
Aug. 11, 2009 - Ultrasound report shows baby no longer in breech presentation. We may just have a natural delivery after all. KT and baby are both great. 36 week baby belly pictures received. We are getting SO close now!
Aug. 17, 2009 - Flights are booked for Aug. 21st to Sept. 14th.
Aug. 19, 2009- A bit of a scare. KT's amniotic fluid is a little low. Admitted to the hospital for observation and Non-stress testing (NST). Possible delivery Monday Aug. 24th. We hope we make in time.
Aug. 22, 2009- We are on the same soil as our little Angel!!! Dr. Yash reports both baby and KT are fine and NST's are all normal.
Aug. 23, 2009- Saw KT today and she was ALL smiles! We felt our baby kick for the first time. Cervical stitch snip and delivery scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 25th. Just a few more days little one...hold on!
Aug. 25, 2009- Dr. Soni snipped KT's stitch this morning. We are anxiously awaiting that ALL important phone call, hopefully some time this afternoon.
Aug. 26, 2009 @ 0200- KT is dilated to 1cm. Dr. Soni applies cerviprime to KT's cervix to assist with dilatation.
Aug. 26, 2009 @ 0915- Some contractions started. Pitocin drip started.Aug. 26, 2009 @ 1230- 2cm dilated. Contractions now 15mins. apart. Pitocin drip stopped.
Aug 26, 2009 @ 2100- Dr. Soni in to examine. C-section determined as best course of action.
Aug. 26, 2009 @ 2222- BLAZE XENNON WILE enters the world. 5.9 lbs. Happy, healthy, beautiful boy. KT is doing fine.
Aug. 26, 2009 @ 2335- take to NICU for observation over night.
Aug. 27, 2009 @0900- some vomiting with feeds in a.m otherwise doing great. He is the biggest baby in the unit. Mommy will come for feeds every 2 hours.
Aug. 27, 2009 @ 1700- Dr. Yogesh Mehta (Pediatrician) recommends to continue stay in NICU till feeds increase and Blaze starts eating more vigorously. Daddy gets to hold him for the very first time.
Aug. 28, 2009 @ 1615- Blaze is finally discharged from the NICU and brought to our room by Dr. Yash. We FINALLY have our son with us!
Aug. 29, 2009- Discharged from Hiranandani hospital we head to the VITS hotel our home till Sept. 14th.
Sept. 4, 2009 - Check up with Pediatrician. Blaze is now weighing in at 6.1 lbs
Sept. 10, 2009 - Exit visit obtained from the FRRO.
Sept. 14, 2009 - Homeward bound.
Sept. 15, 2009 - Blaze meets his new big sister Frankie and sees his new home.
Sept. 17, 2009 - First appointment with Pediatrician Dr. Gentile. Blaze is doing GREAT! 7.10 lbs.
Oct. 1, 2009 - Follow-up appointment with Dr. Gentile. Blaze is now a WHOPPING 8.13 lbs and 21 inches!
Oct. 26, 2009 - 2 month check up and vaccines. 10.7 lbs and 22.25 inches long! Almost double his birth weight, WOW!!! Growing like a weed.
Dec. 25, 2009 - First Christmas with our sweet Angel! What an amazing time with family!!!
Jan. 5, 2010 - 4 month check up and vaccines. 14.1 lbs. and 25.75 inches long. Doc says our little guy is tall and acts like a 6 month old already.
Mar. 8, 2010 - 6 month check up and more vaccines. :( 16 lbs (24th percentile) and 27.5 inches long (74th percentile). Doc says he is very lean and tall and such a happy boy!
April 16, 2010 - Blaze cuts his first tooth! What a breakthrough!!!
June 7, 2010 - 9 month check up. NO vaccines...Yay! 18.5 lbs (23rd percentile) that jumperoo is burning calories! 28.5 inches long (73rd percentile) almost grown out of his car seat.
June 12, 2010 - Got that crawling thing down pat! Look out world...HERE I COME!!!
AUGUST 26th, 2010 - One year old today. We celebrated in Canada with friends and family!!!
Aug. 30th, 2010 - 1 year follow up with Dr. G. 19.7 lbs and 30 inches long.
Oct. 13, 2010 - took his first step today.
Nov.9, 2010 - Crawling is now a thing of the past. Walking, walking, walking...our little boy is growing up!
Nov. 13, 2011 - We have been talking to the Docs about a sibling for Blaze and his egg donor is willing to do one more final cycle just for us!
Dec. 2, 2010 - 3 embryo's are transferred to FB (a new surrogate)
Dec. 14, 2010 - We are PREGNANT....first shot and our beta is 561.7. Blaze is going to be a big brother, maybe x2!!!
Dec. 18, 2011 - Beta has risen to 2577.0...OH MY!!!
Dec. 23, 2011 - It's official we are having TWINS!!!!
Dec. 25, 2011 - We surprised Grandma with the news. Merry Christmas to us~!
Mar. 28, 2011 - 18 month Check up. Dr. G can't believe how tall Blaze has gotten. 75% for ht. and still only 10% for wt. We have a light weight!
July 14, 2011 - We got the call...WE ARE IN LABOUR!!!! It's too early we aren't packed.
July 18,2011 - Blaze becomes a big brother to twin sister Dylan (4.0lbs) and brother Jett (4.2lbs) at 34.4 weeks. They are small but healthy.
July18, 2011 - First trip back to India since birth. Blaze gets to see his amazing God Parents and meet his new little sister and brother.
July 19, 2011 - Here we are for the first time as a family of 5! WOW...Dreams really do come true.
Aug. 25, 2011 - Home from 5 weeks in India. We are all back in the U.S.A as a family of 5 plus fur daughter Neyla.
Aug. 26, 2011 - 2 years old today! Seems just like yesterday Dr. Soni placed you in our arms.