~24 Weeks~

Hallelujah! We are finally at 6 months! It's kind of hard knowing the very day that you got pregnant cause then it seems to drag on forever. Once we hit 20 weeks though it seems like this last 4 weeks has flown by. But I shall savior these last 16 weeks or 112 days! :)

This little guy is so active all the time. And I can tell what foods he agrees with and what foods he disagrees with! Lol He sleeps a ton during the night but all day long he is very active! Hoping he continues to sleep good at night for his mommy and daddy! And maybe even mellows out for them during the day! :)  But as of right now it looks like Apple Juice and Orange Juice are his favorite and this is mostly what keeps him wiggling around in there! Also, I cannot seem to get enough sour foods? I guess, more vinegar based foods? Cucumbers w/ s&p and vinegar, green olives, pickles, even sauerkraut! And I am still loving bread.. :|

Yesterday C & her lovely sister J were able to make it down for our 24 week Dr.'s appointment. It's always so good to see her! They both greeted me in the Dr.'s office. Wow, and can I say that both those sisters are just beautiful & so genuine!

We were having an ultrasound to follow up on this little guys kidneys. At the anatomy scan last month it showed that his kidneys were a little dilated. At yesterdays ultrasound they said that his kidneys looked perfect! She couldn't believe how much better they looked in such a short amount of time! This made us all so happy! :) Also, I could not believe how much he was moving for the tech! She even asked what I had fed him before coming to my appointment cause he was all over the place. This was our second ultrasound and we still weren't able to get a good profile picture of his cute face. It seems that he is head down and his face is towards my spine. We were able to get some cool 3D pics of him, well of his arms, legs, etc! :)

Look how squished he looks! This is his right arm, resting on his right leg! We couldn't believe the size of his foot! Yikes, he's going to have big feet like his daddy & big sister!

This pic is of his back, shoulder and right arm. You could see his spine also. He was being stubborn and wouldn't allow any pictures of that little face!

My kids aren't too fond of the 3D ultrasounds. They think they are creepy. :) I think that they are amazing!

So, my appointment went smoothly. But apparently I need to lay off all the fruit & salads I've been eating cause I'm putting on way too much weight he said. :( I know that I've gained a lot total from the beginning of this journey but honestly I've only gained 14. Kind of left there with a complex and feeling a bit on the chubby side. :(

Weight Gain: 2 more lbs! Now up 14 lbs.

Cravings: Still Fruit, just not so much of it. Strawberries, Blueberries, Watermelon and Honeydew. I'm down to 1 Smoothie a week also. Still loving all kinds of Salads though. Tomatoes, Cucumbers, & Carrots also. Also, as before any Vinegar based foods, especially my green olives? Odd. And for some stranger reason I've been wanting beans? Any kind, black, pinto, kidney, etc?

Symptoms: Back pain has now started and I've also noticed that if I stand for a period of time (like shopping) I have the worst pelvic pressure. Difficult time sleeping is my major issue though. I just can't seem to sleep all night but am dying for a nap all day long. :(

24 weeks! Everything and I mean everything is so snug on me now. Darn you Watermelon! :)

Their baby's the size of a cantaloupe!

Their 10.5-to-11.8-inch fetus weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces and every week he gets closer and closer to being ready to survive (and thrive!) in the outside world. 

 

  

Their baby at 24 weeks!

• His see-through skin is gradually becoming more opaque.
• And it's got a new pink glow, thanks to the small capillaries that have recently formed.
• His ability to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel are developing stronger each day.

 

~23 Weeks~

I wanted to post a little different this week.. I've had "so" many women tell me or express feelings to one another about how they feel about Surrogacy.

So many women have in their minds how "they" felt when they were carrying "their" baby. And how they would never be able to hand that over and the bond that they feel with each of their pregnancies. They say that surrogates just don't have a heart since they can easily just hand a baby over??
Well, I'm here to tell all you women who may not think you could be a surrogate for one of these amazing families that "maybe" you really could?

If you re-read the very first sentence in paragraph 2, you'll notice that I've stated "your" baby. When becoming a surrogate, your mind set is totally different going into it. From the very start you know that this is "their" baby, not yours. You know that they are the ones who will be enjoying every minute of this little bundle of joy. They will be the ones who will be planning the future of their unborn child. When we carry our own children we tend to search for names, look for those cute little newborn clothes and design a nursery.

I can honestly say that I haven't gone into the baby section at any store during this pregnancy. That may sound harsh or like I don't have a heart but honestly it's how "us" surrogates stay strong during our journeys. Don't get me wrong.. Everyday that goes by I am reminded that I am pregnant, that everything I put into my body is how I am nourishing this miracle baby, the lack of sleep I miss out affects my sleeping pattern for days, therefore affects "his" sleeping.. I am reminded every time I clean or grocery shop that I cannot overly strain myself and that I have got to take it easy. When I had an extreme toothache that I couldn't take anything but Tylenol to get me through the pain, for the sake of his safety. I really hope pointing all these things I do on a daily basis reminds those that I do have a Heart. That I do love this baby, even if it is differently then my own children. I love this baby so much that I was willing to give him a chance at life. Willing to give his "amazing" parents a chance to love him and watch him grow and enjoy his life.

With those words said.. I still believe that becoming a surrogate and helping make miracles is a blessing for not only the IP's but also for the surrogate. It's an amazing feeling of emotions that I have never experienced before. And he is not even born yet! I'm excited to feel another kind of emotion the day he joins his beautiful family.

As for how I've been feeling? Great! This week has been a good week, not too many headaches or pelvic pain! :)

Weight Gain: 12 lbs

Cravings: Strawberries, Blueberries, Banana's, Cucumbers, Green Olives? (Like I have to pour them in a container or I will eat the whole jar!?), Tomatoes, Salads, Sandwiches, Baked Potatoes, Smoothies, Strawberry Shakes, and I'm embarrassed to say Mint Oreo Cookies w/ a Large glass of milk! Guess my appetite came back full force from last week! :|

Symptoms: Heartburn and Braxton Hicks!

23 Weeks! Sorry bad pic, I was in a hurry! :)

Their baby's the size of a grapefruit!

At about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces, baby's not just getting bigger, he's getting even cuter.

Their baby at 23 weeks!

• His face is fully formed now -- he just needs a little extra fat to fill it out.
• He's listening to our voices and my heartbeat -- and even to loud sounds like cars honking and dogs barking.

~22 Weeks~

Loving that my weeks are just flying by! :) Only 18 more weeks or 122 more days to go! I'm just amazed at how active this little boy has gotten within this last week. I know he is growing a ton cause I know I sure am growing a ton! LOL I seriously am waiting for the question, "Whoa, are you carrying twins?" It's really strange, cause some days I seem bigger then other days. All I know is I can still wear my regular pants & shorts! That's a good sign, I think?? My tops on the other hand... Not so lucky in that department! :)

This week has been a good week, except for the excruciating tooth ache I had earlier on in the week, but now.. It's good! My kiddos went back to school and it makes me sad that I can't enjoy the quiet time! At least for a little bit, seeing as I work all day now! But I am grateful that I was able to stay home with them for the last 12 years. Thanks Nick! :)

This week I've felt so much better not having those pounding headaches/migraines. Thank goodness those are subsiding. Also, not too many cravings since I had a tooth ache. I kinda drank most of my meals this week. LOL

I have noticed I've been getting Braxton Hicks a lot lately, nothing too painful and I always seem to get them right after I hit the half way point! Not fun.

Weight Gain: 12 lbs

Cravings: Lots of Cravings just couldn't enjoy any of them! I mostly drank Chicken Broth, Tomato Soup or Smoothies.

Symptoms: Pelvic Pressure, Back Pain, Braxton Hicks and more Heartburn.

What I miss: Seeing my feet! I can't enjoy my lovely pedicure! :) Certain Sleeping positions.

22 Weeks!

Wow, he looks really low this week!

Their baby's the size of a papaya!

During month five, the average fetus measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces.

Their baby at 22 weeks!

• Now that he's got more developed eyes and lips, he's looking even more like a newborn.
• He's sleeping in cycles -- about 12 to 14 hours per day.

~21 Weeks~

This week has flown by! I have no idea where it went! Last weekend we headed North for my oldest daughters softball tournament and had a blast! We visited with our closest friends and realized how much we miss Utah County. :( Especially now that they are there. Our 3 youngest girls decided to stay up there for the week to hang out with our friends and their kids. I am sad to admit that the second we hit the freeway I lost it.. I balled like a baby.. It made me so sad to leave them even though I knew they were in good hands and that they were going to have so much fun the week before they headed back to school. My oldest kids laughed at me and said, "geez, you should be happy we just got rid of half the kids!" Sad.. Maybe if I had gotten rid of the teenagers I would've been happy, Ha Ha, totally kidding!

This week has been a good week.  A little more tired then usual, but nothing too bad. Appetite is good, as always and I am starting to feel this handsome little boy more and more each day. Wednesday he actually kicked me so hard it woke me up out of a dead sleep! Startled me! :) It makes me sad though. I really wish that C was experiencing this miracle baby. I am sure when he gets bigger she will be able to feel & see him moving! :)

But other then the same old headaches we are doing great!

Weight Gain: 12 lbs. Total

Cravings: Strawberries, Peaches, Plums, Watermelon, Orange Peel Smoothies, Salads, Cottage Cheese, String Cheese, Cheese & Crackers, Any sandwich place known to man! :) I also just realized that I love sauerkraut! I know, kinda yuck right??!! Had a sandwich at Tom's Deli with it on it and it was amazing!

Symptoms: Heartburn, Bigger belly, Headaches/Migraines, Pelvic Pain (only if I'm on my feet for a long time)

What I Miss: Sleeping on my Tummy and having multiple clothes to wear. :)

Whoa Baby! :)  21 Weeks!

Their baby's the size of a pomegranate!

At 10.5 inches and about 12.7 ounces, he's big enough now that I've been feeling his rapid movements.

Their baby at 21 weeks

• As his digestive system preps for the outside world, he's manufacturing meconium -- the tarry black substance you'll find in his first dirty diaper (ew)!

~20 Weeks~

Half way point!! Wow, I am amazed that we are at the half way point in our Journey! So exciting! And although I posted a couple weeks back about the Trimester Chart and that at 18 weeks you're 5 months, honestly I haven't been following that. So, now I am officially 5 months pregnant with B & C's beautiful miracle baby!

I am feeling really good this week, still have these horrible headaches, but I'm managing. Some days are worse then others. I really don't understand what the reasoning of headaches in pregnancy is? If anyone knows, feel free to enlighten me! Please! I can handle the pain of headaches or migraines but honestly hate the mood that they put me in. :( If I have a massive headache when I get home from work all I want to do is curl up in bed and not tend to my kids or make dinner, etc. It's pretty bad on some days that I have to force myself to get up and do my motherly duties. I really am not like this.. I am a busy body, ask anyone who knows me. Everyone keeps telling me to drink some caffeine with some Tylenol, but I just am not a fan of soda right now. The only thing that taste good to me is Ice water and any kind of juice. It seems like everyday for the past 2 weeks I've had a headache or migraine. Praying that these will soon subside, for the sake of my family! LOL

So, lets talk appetite! Well, apparently if I could eat the word appetite, I would! I am hungry all the time! For the most part I can control it with grabbing a piece of fruit in between meals, but then at the end of the day I realize, not only have I eaten about 3-4 meals, I've also eaten 2 bananas, 2 apples, 2 peaches, 2 handfuls of grapes, 1 plum and whatever melon I have at home? At least it's healthy, but still that's a lot of eaten for just one day! And I just keep racking on the pounds.. Up 12 lbs since the beginning??!!

Weight Gain: 12 lbs total!

Cravings: Grapes, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Apples, Bananas, Strawberries, Plums, Peaches, Orange Peel Smoothies, Cottage Cheese, Salads, Subway

Symptoms: Weight Gain, Hunger Pains, Headaches/Migraines, Ligament Pains, Leg Cramps

What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy, Hard Cardio, Sushi, My old wardrobe, my waist! :)

I look more pregnant at week 16 with Maternity Clothes on. :)

He sure is growing! :)

Their baby's the size of a banana!

Baby weighs about 10.2 ounces and measures about 6.5 inches, crown to rump. He's still got a lot of growing to do though. Can you believe we are halfway done? 

 

 Their baby at 20 weeks!

• He's got working taste buds.
• Now, he's gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day -- that's significantly more than before.