Seven weeks ago, two precious dreams come true were welcomed into this world. I have thought about this day since the moment I made the decision that I wanted to be a surrogate. I thought I had this day all figured out. Every detail of what it would be like to present a baby to their anxiously awaiting parents. What I didn't know was the amazing bond that would develop from the very moment my husbnd and I saw Shahar and Roi via Skype. This was a moment in which no words were needed....we looked into each others eyes and just knew that we were exactly where we were supposed to be in that exact moment in our lives. It was perfect in every way.
Throughout this journey, my vision of the delivery remained the same....I would have Shahar and Roi in the room along with my husband and I would have a natural birth and present them with their two beautiful babies. We would all cry together and rejoice in this beautiful Journey to Happiness.
When I was 32 weeks, both babies were breech. All I could think about how they must to turn head down. No other option was acceptable. I began to seek Chiropractic care and Acupuncture treatments that are thought to help babies move into the correct positions. I spent hours reading article after article, blog post after blog post, doing everything in my power to get them to move. Between my non stress tests, ultrasounds, chiropractor and acupuncture appointments, I was in an office sometimes two or three times a day. It was getting the best of me and my desire to control an uncontrollable situation was more than I could handle.
It wasn't until Shahar got here that we both agreed that this entire journey has been perfect and everything has happened exactly the way it was supposed. No matter how these babies were born, it would be perfect.
On Monday, June 23rd at 2:18am, I awoke to my water breaking. I was 36 weeks, 1 Day and never having my water break with my previous 3 pregnancies, I was shock. My first thought was how in the hell was I going to get to the bathroom without making a mess all over my carpet. My husband had just started his work shift at 2am and I was hoping that his phone would pick up my call since he works in a brick building. Thankfully he answered and didn't believe me when I first told him my water broke. As I said before, him and I never had this happen to us before. My water had always been broke in the hospital. I showered, packed my bag and called Shahar to let her know it was time! We took the kids to my parents house, picked Shahar up and headed to the hospital.
We got to the hospital shortly after 4am and headed up to Labor and Delivery. They did a quick scan to see how the babies were positioned....Breech. My one and only request was that I could have both Shahar and Jake in the room during the delivery. Never having a C-Section before, this was new territory for me. The Anesthesiologist came into the room and gave me the best news ever....both of them could be in the OR with me! I was 7 centimeters dilated at this time and with my prior delivery, I was just two contractions away from delivering. My doctor was slightly panicked and said that we needed to hurry up and deliver these babies since a breech vaginal delivery was not an option. They brought me in to prep me for my spinal and as I am sitting at the end of the bed, I could feel Baby A's little bum right there!! It was by far the easiest labor I have ever experienced. I would have rocked a vaginal delivery!!!
Shahar and Jake came into the room and the surgery began....
Hearing that first cry was an overwhelming, incredible feeling. Seeing the look on Shahar's face, her hand in my right, Jake's hand in my left, is a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Shahar peered over the curtain to see her precious baby boy...born at 5:16am
They brought him around for us to see him....
Then it was sissy's turn. She came out with the sweetest pouty face you have ever seen...born at 5:19am. Here is a little peek at the OR while they were putting me back together....
Then off to recovery we went...
As soon as we got into the Recovery Room, Shahar called Roi to let him know that their babies were here, happy and healthy. I was able to talk with him and rejoice with him in the birth of his babies from a half a world away. Roi, Bar and Shahar's Ima (Mom) were not scheduled fly to the states until the following Monday. They managed to get packed and on a place within 5 hours of my water breaking!! When they arrived, it was another magical moment for me. Being able to watch Roi see him babies for the first time was incredible. I may have thought that I had this "Birth Story" all figured out just the way it was "supposed" to happen. Boy was I wrong. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Filled with love, joy, tears, and happiness between our two families; becoming one.
We spent the next two days in the hospital...Each of us having rooms right next to one another. We talked, shared stories, ate Sushi, and simply just enjoying this very special moment in this Journey to Happiness. I couldn't have asked for better experience as a surrogate.
The kids meeting Bar for the first time!!
Roi, Ima, Bar, Papa, Daddy and the kids all outside our room playing cards together!
My parents holding Daniel and Elly
Addy is such a natural little Momma!
We were so blessed to have family and friends come visit in the hospital!
Molly and Gerrick
My amazing Doctor was not able to make it in time to do the delivery but she came by to see us afterwards!
My beautiful babies!! They were absolutely amazing throughout this entire journey!
My niece, Alexis with Elly
My sister, Amy took two hats made this darling hat with a bow on it for Elly.
My Niece, Hannah with Daniel
Jake's parents with Shahar
My cousin, Megan
Shahar, my sister Amy and I
Jake's Momma and Shahar
Kristin, Shahar and I
The boys
My Momma and Elly
My best friend ROCKS!! I sent her a text at 5am saying that I would love to see her when she gets a moment. at 6am she came walking through the door. LOVE HER!!!
On Thursday morning, we were set to go home. Roi, Bar and Ima called to have a taxi bring them to the hospital. After over an hour of waiting, and still no Taxi, Jake and I offered to bring her and the babies to their hotel.
Having it be Shahar, Jake, Daniel, Elly and I was very special. It wasn't what was planned but it ended up being very special. The five of us arrived at the hospital together and then the five of us left together!
This was a beautiful ending to this chapter and the beginning of another. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Shahar and Roi's Journey to Happiness. I never in a million years could have imagined how amazing this experience would be for me and my family and friends. The love that was shared is PRICELESS and I don't think I will ever be able to put into words what my heart truly feels.
Thank you to my friends and family near and afar for being apart of this journey...Carrying Dreams in this Journey to Happiness.
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