It Takes A Village

Life has been, yet again (as usual) very busy. Another month has passed and I remember I need to write down the happenings of surrogacy. Here are two pictures taken today, almost 22 weeks along. Look at that round belly! I feel pregnant, no doubt about that. My breasts feel huge to me, my nipples seemingly larger and much darker. I am in need of a new bra that will fit and flatter these boulders, but the one store I've been to so far didn't have any in my size (I tried on four of their largest nursing bras) and walked out with the woman apologizing and looking at me pityingly...The look said, "Poor girl. Her breasts are huge! And they'll just get bigger once her milk comes in..." Oh well, my "girls" seem to fit the rest of my curvaceous body, so they'll have to do for the time being. Later this week I'll venture out to another store to check out their selection. 

My last prenatal with my midwife was on Friday, right before I attended a long labor and birth and stayed awake for about 36 hours (resulting in calling my back-up to attend my other client who went into labor about 12 hours after I had already been attending my home birth mama. This is the first time I've had to call for back-up since I started practicing as a doula in 2005.) The prenatal went well. Both baby and I are healthy and doing well. I've only gained 4 pounds so far and my blood pressure is perfect! I attribute this to the conscious effort I've given to my diet and consistent exercise. Little bean (baby's nickname around here) has been very active and certainly doesn't feel like a "little bean" anymore. I feel movement everywhere and it's comforting to know that he/she is happily dancing around as I go about my day. 

I have my gestational diabetes and thyroid blood test the middle of March and then another appointment with my midwife before we fly out to Colorado to spend time with the intended parents. I'm optimistic about the tests and excited to see Lisa and Brooks at the end of March. It'll be fun for them to take part in feeling this little person move from the outside and be much closer physically to experience more of the pregnancy side of things for a few days. I'm knitting the baby a pair of leggings right now that I'm thinking I'll take to the baby shower we'll have when we're in Colorado. I'm enjoying making it something special from me...and I'm sure there's more to come! I love knitting and being crafty and it helps me feel more connected to the little one, thinking of it wearing things I've made specifically for it with love.

We've figured out the insurance issue we were having and I'm also on WIC, which will help with a breast pump for me after the baby is born. I'm grateful to have these things figured out, even though Michelle still hasn't found a job. She has been searching and applying consistently to different jobs, but no such luck yet. I'm thankful for the doula clients I have and the nanny jobs I've been getting sporadically. All of it helps. I'm trusting that something is right around the corner for Michelle and am thankful that I have the energy to keep up with my busy schedule and take on the clients who need me.

I have two requests that I want to put out there now, so that my friends and family can keep their eyes peeled for me. One is that after this baby is born, both Lisa and I plan to breastfeed. I will also be doing a lot of pumping to help her supplement (as needed). I plan to pump for about three months or so and overnight the milk to them on a freezer truck after they are back in Colorado and also help them find women who can donate breast milk to them more locally as well. What I need help with is finding a couple of families (ideally two or three) who will need a nanny/wet nurse once or more per week. Since I make such amazing amounts of liquid gold aka breast milk, I want to be able to share it with babies who need a little extra and moms whose supply may dwindle a bit once they have to go back to work. Please spread the word for me! It would be so rewarding to keep donating milk to the baby I'm carrying as well as physically watch my milk nourish other babies and help families who want my milk and nanny services. Plus, it also means that I won't have to pump every single time my breasts are full, which would be a welcome relief. The second request I have is that Lisa, Brooks, and their two sweet doggies need a place to live June, July, and August while they are in Bellingham. If you or anyone you know is going away for the summer and would like to rent out your/their home to these wonderful people as they wait for, welcome, and settle in with their new baby, please let me know! We would all be so grateful to know that they have a solid place to stay this summer. Thank you for your help with these things. Little bean thanks you too.