Sorry, did I squeal too loudly?

   Fast-forward 11 months into the future. Sarah and Paul have become almost like family to Casey and I, our kids look forward to seeing them visit. We have become so attached to the idea that this might actually happen!
 
"Casey! Let's just go buy one of those silly tests from WalMart for $1 and see what happens..."

"Oh, honey. Let's just wait...I really don't want you to get your hopes up. Let's wait."

LOL! Like I was really going to wait! The anticipation was killing me. That entire week I had been feeling a bit...off.  I knew something was different after I started feeling exhausted enough to take a nap after things like folding laundry. I'm not usually a coffee person, though I pour a cup in the morning and sip on it throughout the day for the aesthetic feel. Well, this week I found myself gulping it down to keep my eyes open. 

 So, to WalMart we went. I bought a couple tests marked $1 and promised myself I wouldn't take them both in the same night. I was more excited about this pregnancy than I was about my other two. I think it was because of the anticipation of finally getting to tell Sarah and Paul that what they have been yearning for for years is finally on It's way. Being able to hold such great news would be better than Christmas morning.

I actually did quite well that night, and didn't take either of the two tests that we purchased. I've known since my first that you need to take tests first thing in the morning. I almost didn't sleep all night long...the SECOND I woke up though, I hit the bathroom and took that test quicker than I even realized I was in the bathroom doing so!  Of course, as any couple trying for babies or even a fellow surrogate can attest to, I stood up hovering over the test for the next 3 minutes until I saw them...those two purple lines!!! I couldn't believe it at first, so I went ahead and called Casey in. He agreed that he saw two purple lines and I wasn't just delusional from waking up at 5am to pee on a stick.

I didn't feel this way from my other pregnancies though, the exhaustion etc. I thought it might be best to go to the hospital and make sure everything was okay before getting too excited. Six hours...yes, six hours after waiting in the Emergency Room we were told that yes indeed, Sarah and Paul were going to have their first baby!! I think I might have scared a couple of the nurses with my squealing as the doctor let me know everything was alright.

I will never forget messaging Sarah that morning and telling her to call me "ASAP". Casey asked why I had to write in caps lock, because he was worried she might think it was an emergency. Sure enough, she called just a couple hours later in a panic to make sure I was alright. I rushed to the nearest room for privacy and told her the news. I have never heard such pure happiness in my life...Right then and there, I knew for sure that Sarah and Paul's life, through that one phone call, would never be the same. 

UPDATE: Our first prenatal checkup is this month, and Sarah and Paul will get to see their little jumping bean for the first time through ultrasound. I will capture every moment I can to share with all of you.

To be continued...

I think I can, I think I can...

"Raymond, how many times have I told you?! You do NOT stand on your sisters head!!!"  These are the things that I now say on a daily basis even though just four short years ago, I never in a million years could have imagined that anyone would even think it was a good idea to stand on someone elses head, let alone that I would have to tell them NOT to! Crazy as it sounds however, I can't live without my two little shenanigans. They have taught me more in just the few short years that they have been here, than I have ever learned in my life. When Casey and I held our first child, and soon after our second, I never thought for a moment that I would be having another mans baby in the future...and our journey begins.
 

Most all of us are born with the natural ability to breathe, and when we can't there are medicines and machines to help us do so. What happens when the machines and medicines available can't help you? Does someone breathe for you? CAN someone breathe for you? When I first met Sarah and Paul (names are changed) they were having trouble "breathing". They were unable to do something that happened for me, just as easily as breathing (hell, almost by mistake!). I can't imagine anyone not being able to experience the joy my little monsters have brought me...I am a surrogate.

To be continued.... :)

Liz