32 Weeks.

Changes. I feel like a lot of things are changing. Sleep isn't so great right now. Between bathroom trips and hip aches I am up quite a bit. Usually around 3am I wake and go downstairs to sleep in the recliner. It is nice to be able to be on my back, elevated, without having to flip every hour or so. BUT still, I cannot complain. This pregnancy/baby has been good to me. I am super thankful! This is all just part of it. She is growing a lot I can feel that! It is almost like she is stretched out in there, I feel her in my hips, bladder, and ribs simultaneously. Then she will stick her little butt out pretty far too. Lately she is getting hiccups. Still quite the mover in there!

Our next ultrasound is on Dec 1, and I am really excited for that one. I always love when F&C get a glimpse of her from the inside again. Hopefully she will be ready to show us her pretty little face again. They are preparing for their trip here as we speak. I cannot imagine packing up for a little stay in another country, I would forget everything I am sure. But they seem to be on top of stuff, and Im sure it is all going to go great for them. I think about them daily, and am helping out in any way I can.  A lot of friends and family (and people I have never met) have jumped in and let us borrow a few things for their stay (pack n' play, bathtub, bottle warmer, etc) so they do not have to purchase while here in the states and/or have a bunch of extra stuff to take back with them. I am so blessed by you all that have offered to help. Also I have had two fellow photographer friends (that I have yet to meet) want to donate photo sessions to the new parents. Memories will last a lifetime, and the photos should be gorgeous. We all know I am obsessed about capturing every moment of my every day, they are so priceless. <3

Here are this weeks bump photos. I took three. Look how round the belly has gotten!

31 Weeks.

This week I am 31 weeks. I went for my appointment today (at almost 32 weeks) and I am up 22 lbs so far. The belly measured 32 1/2 weeks and baby's heart sounded great. It is so crazy to think that in 9 (SINGLE DIGITS) short weeks, they will be holding this sweet girl in their arms. It is going to fly by with the holidays I think. I am feeling pretty good. Tired and still waking up a bunch at night, but that is all normal. I have been getting more round ligament pulling pains too. Man those things are rough! Brings back some memories of some real labor pains (pre-epidural) lol. I feel like I have to really breathe through it when I get pull! Something to look forward too. LOL. Other than that, still have heartburn - hoping that means this little chick has lots of hair for her mama to put bows in <3

Sounds like F&C are pretty well prepared. Her room is all set, and super super cute I might add. I love hearing the excitement coming from them. I am just so anxious and even more excited for the big moment. A lot of people have been asking me lately how I feel about it all. If I feel connected, or if it is going to be hard to turn her over to her parents. The answer is no. I am more than ready for this girl to be with her family. I have enjoyed growing her from the inside, but she is not and was never ours to keep. She is not any part of me. While I feel a slight connection, it is not a motherly one. It is a sweet little innocent baby coming into this great big world, into the arms of her loving Mom and Dad - who have waited so long for her. This is something I have wanted to do for a long tim. I prayed about it, and prepared for it mentally for quite a while before starting the process, and I am 100% confident about it all. The look on her parents faces as she comes into this world, is going to be the moment I know just how amazing this journey really has been, and it will be ingrained into my mind forever. I have loved getting to know them, talking to them daily and sharing with them throughout. And I do hope that we can remain in touch as much as possible when they return home as a FAMILY. They have become a special part of my life, and I will never forget this experience. And the best is yet to come!

So here is a big thank you to everyone who has supported me and this dream, asked how I am doing, kept in touch, and asked curious questions. It is nice to know we are thought about, prayed for, and loved. No question is dumb, I think it is great to be curious, and I am an open book if any of you have any questions regarding the gift of surrogacy.

Here is our 31 week belly<3 It was voting day!

30 Weeks.

Ugh, been slacking again! So sorry y'all! But things are going well, and we are trucking along. I have hit the third trimester wall it seems. I am tired a lot. Prefer to be in bed by 7pm, wake multiple times a night, and up for the day around 6:45am or so. Which isn't terrible or anything. It is nice having a few moments to myself in the morning when everyone is still sleeping. Especially since it is fall and I love the cooler mornings.

Overall my body is feeling great still. I don't feel ginormous. But I always seem to grow a lot in the last few weeks. Since I don't remember much about this week, being as it already passed, I will just post that weeks photos for you! Here is the belly at 30 weeks! Also, my friend Emily and I, who is pregnant with a sweet little girl of her own and due practically the same day as me, won cakes at the church carnival for Halloween. We are two happy pregnant gals <3