Half a world away.

We got a bit of scary news this week, KT had some spotting and had to be admitted to Hiranandani Hospital for observation. She didn't have any further spotting after 8 hours from being admitted, WHEW! They did a scan and our baby is fine. KT's placenta is lying slightly low and causing some pressure on the uterus. As a precaution they are going to place a cervical stitch to ensure all is taken care of, and our Angel will stay in it's temporary home until the right time arrives. KT will stay in the hospital for the rest of the weekend and Dr. Soni will do the procedure on Monday and keep her for a few more days of observation. She then will head to the SI clinic for some further bed rest and observation. We spoke with both Dr. Yash and Dr. Soni via phone. Dr. Soni is so amazing, giving us every detail and ensuring us all was fine and she stated, "I didn't expect her so soon, but now that she is here, I will take great care of her." She will give us a complete update Monday night after the procedure of how things are going. Dr. Yashodhara called us Saturday evening to ensure that we had a chance to speak with Dr. Soni and asked if we were 'okay' with them doing this recommended procedure. We absolutely trust both Docs and know that they will do what is best for KT and our baby.

Dr. Sudhir updated KT's medical records with all her recent tests and scans on our personal itinerary site the Docs arrange for all their IP's. Everything is looking good and we are thrilled to be kept so well informed.

These are unfortunately some of the difficulties in doing surrogacy in India. We feel so lost and helpless and only wish we could be there to hold KT's hand and tell her we are with her. To just be able to see her and know that she is okay. To be able to touch her belly and feel our baby move and know it is okay. We know she is in good hands with Dr. Yashodhara and Dr. Soni, but it is still so hard to sit here and wonder if KT is scared, or hurting or sad.

We have been truly blessed with a very uneventful pregnancy up until now. So we can't complain what so ever. Its just hard feeling so helpless and worried for our angel and our wonderful KT.

We told both the Docs to send her our love and let her know we are thinking of her. We can only hope and pray that gives her some comfort and the next 17 weeks go smoothly. Our due date has moved ahead once again by 3 more days. We are now due Sept. 13th.

Please say an extra prayer for KT and our sweet Angel.

I have been chatting on the phone with some very special surrogate gals and I am learning of stories of courage, strength, hope and joy. What amazing woman these girls are. We are from different countries, but all have one common bond. Its so nice to be able to share our journeys.

My wonderful assistant Barb and dear friend Jo are planning a going away/ baby shower for me/us at work. It is the buzz of the facility and everyone is so excited...me included. Gerry will be away for some military training in Florida (our old stomping grounds) for a week, so they are waiting till he returns on the 6th of June (the day after I finish at work).

An update on 'teaching an old dog new tricks'...Frankie is using her doggie door like a pro finally. She had to learn that it was okay for her to come and go as she pleases without getting our approval. Standing by the door staring at us appeared to be getting old, so she decided it was okay, and now we know she is using it routinely. I came home from work and couldn't find her anywhere in the house, after a short panic I went out in the backyard to find her sniffing around. I was SO excited, first because she was okay and second, cause she used her door all on her own! Oh boy, do we need a kid or what????

We just can't get enough of our baby:

TRULY AMAZING...

Our long awaited ultrasound cd finally arrived from India today. Here is our beautiful angel smiling away. Guess they are enjoying their temporary home. Hopefully this is a good sign that we will have a happy baby! Either way he/she looks healthy and amazing. We can't wait to meet them.

Thanks to Dr. Yash and Dr. Sudhir for truly making our day...

Our 22 week 3D scan:

Opening up our hearts to tell our story.

Yep, our Chatelaine magazine article is out... its the featured story in the June issue (an 8 page spread). We were SO surprised! We both feel it was well written, considering most articles about surrogacy tend to be very negative. We especially like how it told 'our' story. Both Gerry and I have received a lot of positive feed back, mainly from

Publish Post

people who live in Canada who have seen the article. A bunch of people didn't even know about it and wrote saying the funniest things. My mother-in-law got the one and only copy of the magazine saved for her at the local pharmacy in her little town in New Germany, Nova Scotia. Here is a bit of what people are saying...

Looking at your article in Chatelaine. Our office gets the mag. Lovely photo of you two!

We just bought your Chatelaine! Its so cool. Very proud. :) It made my life a little...teehee!

Finally got the magazine today, hot off the presses. The author did a wonderful job of capturing your emotional journey, and your and Gerry's love for each other. Beautiful! September can't come soon enough.

I loved the Chatelaine article Rhonda! I realize how lucky my wife and I are, to have 4 healthy kids (and 2 miscarriages). Your commitment to becoming a family is heartening. I wish you all the best luck and hope you enjoy parenthood!

amazing article... i just read the whole thing and cried several times.. we love you guys and are so happy for you.

I was reading my Chatelaine magazine and was looking at the picture of a couple, thinking how in love they look and OMG it is you guys!!! I read your story, you have been through a lot.

I was surprised to see you in the copy of Chatelaine that arrived yesterday. I almost missed it, I was quickly flipping through and then looked a little more closely at the photos! I ended up reading the whole story out loud at the dinner table. We especially liked the happy ending!

I've asked family back in Canada to pick up a copy of this edition for us...so proud to say I "kinda" know you two!

We never imagined it would make such a statement. We hope it opens peoples eyes to the world of surrogacy in India as a possible answer to their longing for a child.

Thank you to our wonderful journalist Lisa for a job well done and to Lana for some great photos. Here is the link to the on-line version (minus some of the photos). Chatelaine article Let us know your thoughts...

CHANGES

Today was a good day. After much soul searching and discussion, I resigned from my current position as Director of Nursing. For the first time in 8 years I will be punching a time clock, wearing scrubs and just being responsible for me and my patients. No long days, constant stress, calls in the middle of night, responsible for everyone anymore!!!

I am SO excited to be taking a break from all of this and finally just be going to work, doing my job, coming home and being able to concentrating on just me, my husband, our puppy, and our upcoming family.

I have to give a 30 day notice, but it is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My staff has been so incredibly supportive and all have said what a wonderful job I have done and how I will be greatly missed. That makes the last year so worth while.

I am getting my priorities in order and Gerry always says it best, "We work to live, not live to work." A job, is a job, is a job, and they come and go, but family is forever and you only get one shot to do it right. I'm going to do everything in my power to try and get it right my first go around.

Everyone keeps reminding me that this is my first official Mother's Day. WOW...I keep forgetting that I am a Mommy. Won't be much longer before it is a constant reminder. I can't wait!

I am amazed we are already at 22 weeks. We are still without pictures of our scan done while we were in Mumbai. Dr. S's computer crashed and so we are patiently waiting for our keepsake photos of our precious angel. Looks like so far you think its a boy...

Your Baby at 22 weeks:

Your Mini's hands have grown bigger and stronger and the nerve endings in her fingers have developed her sense of touch. She's in there testing out her newfound abilities by touching her face and grabbing the umbilical cord.

Other cool developments:

You're already raising a little Einstein. Your baby's brain is developing at a clip this week and will continue to do so until she's five years old (so load up on the Omega 3)! Baby's hair is now a short, bright white crop (Billy Idol, eat your heart out!). No matter what color it will end up—red, blonde, black—all babies' hair lacks pigment at this point.

Your baby has started growing taste buds and may be able to detect strong flavors in the amniotic fluid. If you could see inside, you might catch her sticking out her tongue for a taste and then grimacing, a sign that perhaps you should chill on the chili powder. (or curry powder in KT's case)

Your baby now weighs almost a pound and measures almost 11 inches from her head to her heel, which is how the Stretch Armstrong in your uterus will be measured from here on out. Up 'til now your baby's legs were curled tight up against her torso, so she was measured from her head to her bottom (or crown to rump) and not head to toe. This week your mini is about as long as a package of Oreos and as heavy as a large bag of tortilla chips. Who's hungry?

More pics of our Amazing trip...