Paperwork!

Oh goodness, I have filled out so much paperwork lately! I hope I am done with this part until the contract part. So here is where I am at.

Simple Surrogacy accepted me but their process is much different, does not seem so paperwork involved so far. Which is kinda weird for me, now that I've been communicating with Circle more. Just seems like Circle is more thorough, or maybe that's just because Circle has reached out to me more.That being said, I reviewed about 6 profiles with Simple and really only found one couple I felt a "connection" to and they live in Ireland. So I wait.

Meanwhile, I am busy communicating back and fourth with Jeni from Circle, she's been so amazing  helping me through all this paperwork, releases, and checkups - everything. Today she told me she needed me to get cleared by my OB so I called and I have an appt tomorrow (I got in within 24hrs which is crazy), things are just falling into place, and it feels right. I really am loving Circle and Jeni has made the process so fun and exciting even if it is just paperwork so far. I feel like I am getting somewhere. She's shared her own personal journey with me and given me so much information. This is gonna be such a wonderful gift. Who will it be?

My "ideal" couple would be a happily married man and wife desiring a child of their own more than anything. I want to make their dream come true. The Lord will lead me to them, I just know it. It will be perfect!

Anxious!

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."

Circle Surrogacy

So yesterday I called Jeni at Circle for more information. I have read up quite a bit in regards to the process, but it was nice to hear it from a live person and be able to ask questions as they come up. I talked to her for 35 minutes. She was a sweetheart.

Now that I am so excited about doing this, I just had to ask her about the process, and find out how quick I could be matched. I didn't want to sound desperate, but gosh, I can't wait and don't want it to drag out. She said she totally understood because when she made the decision to do it for herself she was the same way. So basically, if I get stuff sent to them asap, we can get the ball rolling and she said it is possible that it could take just 4 months. Not too bad considering the tedious process.

Step one is sending in some paperwork. I have already filled out my pre-screening survey and got approved so far. No on to another application, photos, pre-screening stuff, sending medical records. After all that is received there is a lengthy phone conference with a social worker who will speak with both Joe and I and kind of take a narrative of my life, for my profile. I was told this call could take up to 2.5 hours. Eeek!

Then we move on to selecting IP's (intended parents). I will select from profiles of couples that I would feel comfortable working with, then they go through and either choose or deny me. Which is fine, I want all parties to be comfortable and have the same hopes and expectations as I do.

Shortly after choosing the IP's we would be flown out to CA for medical screening. This includes meeting the IP's and making sure my body is healthy to carry a baby. It is 2 days and 1 night. They will also go over all medications and train me to use the needles...ack! It is all worth it!!

After that, it is 6 weeks of injections and monitoring via ultrasound etc, then we can do the embryo transfer! I will fly back to CA for the last time for this, then can see my regular OB after I am 10 weeks pregnant. What a journey right!? After that smooth sailing until delivery!

I feel so much better about this now that I have actually talked to someone. I have also connected with a few ladies on facebook, although I am looking for someone to stick with me along my journey - even though I have tons of support (once I spread my news that is)!

Keep praying, I am so excited, I can't hardly wait!

The Search: Agencies (4-25-13)

I have been online quite a bit, reading blogs, forums, and talking to a couple gals thru facebook in my search of a surrogacy agency. There is so much to think about, to learn and to be aware of, but thankfully there is a lot of great information out there.

So, so far I have applied with two agencies. The first is Circle Surrogacy, which is located in Boston. The second is Simple Surrogacy, located in Dallas. Through the application process, and email contact, I have found that I am connecting more with Simple Surrogacy. Stephanie seems to be extremely helpful, and she is very good about being in contact with me. I have sent in some paperwork they requested after looking at my application, and I am very anxiously waiting to hear about the next step. So far so good with Simple Surrogacy, and I hope that I ultimately end up with them.

I am going to be speaking with Circle Surrogacy on the phone tomorrow. They will answer any questions I have, and see if I am a good candidate for their company. Maybe after discussing things with them tomorrow I will feel better about them as well. Dallas just seems more convenient though.

So for now, that is it. Fingers crossed things check out well! Which, I know they will!

New Journey.

Well, this is my very first post to this new blog. For now I will keep it private, so I can jot down my thoughts, and experiences in this very new journey. Once I get a little further in the process I will share it. And I can't wait to tell you all about it!

I have thought about surrogacy for years. I guess I never thought it was something I would really be able to do. BUT now I know....I WANT to. I love both my girls with all my heart, and thank God every single day for blessing me with them. For as long as I can remember, back to being a little girl, I always knew I wanted to be a mother. It was part of my purpose in life. And He gave me the best gift of all. Two healthy, beautiful, baby girls. For a long time I wondered what I would do if I was not able to have a child. I'm not sure the word devastated would even do justice. So, I cannot imagine how some parents in this world feel after suffering through loss, rejection, and pain of infertility.

So with that being said, I am done having kids of my own. After much thought, and anxiety over being done, I decided that two kids is perfect for us, and my family feels complete. But I wasn't content. I really miss being pregnant. I have wonderful pregnancies, pretty much flawless, and I love seeing life grow inside. It breaks my heart to know that a family out there cannot experience what I am experiencing, simply because a mother cannot carry. That is when, just recently, it came to me. I decided to talk to Joe and see what he thought of surrogacy. Honestly, I thought he would say no. Not sure why, but I didn't think it would be "his thing." Much to my surprise, he said that if this is something I wanted to do, then sure, I could do it. We talked for awhile, and weighed the risks etc., and he again confirmed that he would be okay with me doing this. Just another reason I love him so much. He sees the desire and passion inside me for this, and says GO FOR IT! And I am thrilled.

There are two type of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. I will be doing gestational surrogacy. This is strictly IVF: not my egg (not my baby in any way), I am just the "oven." Just in case any of you were wondering. It would be much different for me (and I couldn't do it) if it were my egg.

Life is a journey, and I fully intend on living mine to the fullest. Surrogacy is on my bucket list, not to mention being able to help a couple turn into a family makes me so super excited. I can only imagine the look on their faces when they see THEIR baby for the first time.