Transfer Day!

To say that the Transfer and all the love surrounding it was absolutely perfect, would be an understatement. There are no words to express the gratitude, joy and unimaginable love I am feeling!

 

When we first arrived at ORM, we checked in and anxiously awaited to be called back. Within a few minutes the door opens and I hear "Stacie?" I jumped up with excitement and off we went down the "secret hallway" of ORM, back to where the Embryo Transfers take place. I changed into my gown, hair cover and booties. When Udi and Matan were here in Portland, we went shoe shopping together. First thing I did after getting dressed was sent them this picture and said:

"My Shoes are better than your shoes!"

A quick ultrasound was done to make sure my bladder full enough then the Embryologist came in to let us know that the embryos thawed beautifully and that they look perfect! Absolutely incredible!! 

Udi and Matan were just as anxious as I was to Skype and all of us were sitting and waiting for Carrie to come in with the iPad to place the call. I got a little impatient and decided I would go ahead and call them myself! We had the BEST conversation and the moments we shared before the transfer are priceless. There was so much love and joy...I couldn't have asked for a more perfect moment to share with them. As were talking, Carrie walked in with a gift that Udi and Matan sent to the clinic for me to open on our Transfer Day! 

 

My heart just about leaped out of my chest. They are amazing in every way!!

 

 

Then Udi and Matan celebrated with a wine toast...3 glasses total. One for each of them and one for me! ❤️ Dr. Bankowski walked in to chat with all of us and then we were off to the OR for the transfer.

As they wheeled me out of my room, I layed there with my eyes closed, thinking about these two perfect, precious miracles that have already changed all of our lives in the most remarkable way. My eyes opened just as we entered the OR. It was dimly lit, soft music playing and the most beautiful, amazing photo of Udi and Matan's embryos was displayed on a screen. My heart melted. Breathtaking!

 

All I could think about was how I could not wait to tell their Daddy's how perfect their little embryos are and tell those sweet little babies how absolutely incredible their Daddy's are! 

❤️❤️❤️

 

Before the Transfer starts, my bed literally turns into a transformer. Half of the bed drops out from under me and slipper like stirrups pop up for my feet to slide in.  An ultrasound is used to guide a catheter into my Uterus and once it is in the right place, Dr. Bankowski let the Embryologist know, so she can load the embryos into a very long, narrow tube. Very delicately, she walked them out of the lab and handed them to Dr. Bankowski, where he places them in my uterus. The silence breaks with Dr. Bankowski looking up at me and saying,

 

"The transfer went perfectly!" 

 

There were no other words I wanted to hear more. A perfect transfer to add to this perfect day. An ultrasound picture was taken right after the embroys were released into just the right place. The white line is the catheter showing that the embroys were placed in the most optimal spot for implantation. Wow! Incredible!

The transformer was transformed back into my bed and I was wheeled back into the room to meet my husband. Dr. Bankowski was right behind me, letting him know that everything went well and then let me know all the follow up steps of bed rest, making sure I stay out of the gym, keeping my activity light and that he would hopefully see me in a few weeks for an ultrasound!! I am so very thankful for him and the incredible care that I have always been provided with at ORM. My IVF coordinator started out just as that, a coordinator of my IVF preparations and over the last couple years, she has also became a wonderful friend. I really couldn't imagine this journey without her. 

 

 

The 45 minutes following the transfer I layed there quietly and send the stickiest of all sticky thoughts to those beautiful little embryos and Immediately sent a message to Udi and Matan to let them know how everything went. After my last transfer, my bladder was so full that I couldn't wait the 45 minutes to get up to use the restroom. I am happy to say that this time I did not have to pee laying down into a bed pan. I waited those 45 minutes like a champ! :)

 

Once I was able to get up and empty my bladder, it was time for me to leave and start my bed rest. My chariot arrived to wheel me all the way to my car. As Jody pulled in to pick me up, she says, "It sounded like you guys had a party in here today." That we did!! The most amazing party Skype has ever seen!

 

 

On the way home from ORM we FaceTimed with Jackson who was spending the afternoon with his Grandpa and Grandma. First stop ice cream, second stop movie! Thank you Mike and Shari for loving on our big guy for us! Love love love my FaceTime kisses from my littles!

 

When we walked in the door at my Momma's, Addy and Rylon ran over to me and gently put their hands on my belly. Both of them put their lips right up to my tummy and start talking to the babies. "Hello sweet babies. Stick babies stick so you can meet your Daddy's!" Thank you Momma for taking such great care of my littles today! 

 

 

I could not ask for a more incredible man to stand by my side and provide me with unconditional love and support through this journey and through the amazing life we share together! 

 

The rest of Wednesday and all of Thursday I spent bed resting at my Momma's house. She took such good care of me; complete with delicious homemade meals! We laughed, we cried, and we made some wonderful memories together! Thank you so much Momma!!

 

 

My Surro Sister, Ashley (who happens to have her first Beta Blood test TODAY!!!) came over and brought me a super sticky, delicious Pizookie! She is the sweetest and I am so grateful to be sharing this journey with her. I can't wait to get back in the gym sporting these with our growing bellies!!

 

 

Thursday I was able to Skype with Matan and I even got to meet his brother!! I love that even from a half a world apart, we are able to share in this journey and be a part of each other's lives. It's so amazing!!

 

I spent the rest of the day doing school work and being spoiled rotten with fresh pineapple and strawberries and wonderful conversations with my Momma!

 

Kalee arrived with some coffee, a gift (note the green and yellow she purchased with her own money!! I knew she was a duck fan at heart!)  She layed around with me and we just talked, cried the happiest of tears and just enjoyed our time together! Thank you Kalee for always being there! 

 

My Momma and Kalee had some fun with duck tape and a sharpie!

 

And a my second pizookie (the sticky power of two pizookies for two babies!)

Pizookie time with my Momma and Todd!

 

I am so excited to see what lies ahead for our journey! A blood test will be done next Friday. I cannot imagine what Udi and Matan are feeling right now. Together we will wait and be hopeful that their little miracles are nuzzling their way in! ❤️

 

 

Udi and Matan, I absolutely love and adore the both of you. I am so thankful to have you in my life. I am blessed beyond belief that you've chosen me to carry your precious dreams come true. 

XOXO

Embryo Transfer: 3 days to go!!

The last few days have been day of reflection. Sitting here thinking about that November day when that ding on my phone was more than just a "You've got mail" notification from NWSC. The subject line reading "Profile of Udi and Matan," and within moments of clicking on it, tears began to roll down my face. 

Our Journey has been nothing short of beautiful and amazing. I can hardly believe that in just 3 short days, we will be arriving at ORM for the embryo transfer. A day that has been long awaited for, filled with hope, excitement, and a bit of anxiety. Having gone through this process before, it still amazes me to see it all come together. I find myself adjusting to the medications beautifully. The side effects that I experienced the first time around are nonexistent. I am feeling very thankful!

The kids joined me for my appointment at ORM on Friday. I had my blood drawn to check my Estrogen and Progesterone levels and had a quick a lining check to make sure we were all set for the transfer. When Dr. Bankowski walked in, Addy put her arm around Rylon and said, "I am going to be a Doctor and Rylon is going me be my nurse." Smiling, Dr. Bankowski replied with, "You know, he can be a Doctor too!" During the ultrasound, some fluid was found in my uterus, so Dr. Bankowski used a catheter to aspirate it out. Jackson was a bit concerned and stood next to me, holding my hand. Then I looked at the foot of the bed to see Rylon with his mouth wide open, and Addy, calm and collected, taking it all in. I love her fascination and incredible understanding of this journey! What better way to leave my appointment than with a picture of my empty, sticky womb, all ready for two precious embryos to find their home away from home!

Friday was my second day on the Progesterone injections and after a call from ORM letting me know that my hormone levels looked great, I was told to keep my Delestrogen the same. I also start my antibiotics and Medrol (a medication to ensure the my body doesn't reject the embryos) through the day of the transfer. 

Today we Skyped with Udi and Matan and after each of our conversation, my heart is filled with even more love and joy than I ever imagined. I absolutely love and adore them both and there really are no words that could express what it feels like to be connected with another amazing family a half a world away. I continue to feel so very blessed to be chosen to be part of this journey of theirs. To be trusted to carry their precious dreams come true. 

Addy sharing her new baby doll with them

And last but certainly not least, my beautiful friend, Ashley had her embryo transfer last Tuesday. I saw her at the gym yesterday and so much love and joy filled my heart. It is incredible to be sharing our journey's with one another. Someone I just met, but feel like I have known forever. Just as I was trying to put how I felt into words and send it to her, she send me this: I absolutely adore you, Ashley!

Wednesday is the BIG day!! Please send us your Sticky Thoughts! I am overwhelmed with emotion and beyond thrilled to be part of Udi and Matan's special day!

my cup runneth over

Yesterday my heart was filled with so much joy as I received messages from Shahar and Udi and Matan letting me know that they would like to meet each other! Who would have thought that this girl from Portland, Oregon would be connected with two absolutely amazing families in Israel. I cannot wait to hear all about their meeting and to see what the future holds for all of us! One of my dearest friends, Kalee said to me, "It's like you found the greatest people in Israel and picked them out special." I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be part of something so amazing for another family. Shahar couldn't have said it better, "We will all be one big, happy family!!" 

This is week two taking delestrogen injections and I will have a blood test and ultrasound on Thursday. This will determine when I start my daily progesterone injections and stop the lupron injections. As long as everything looks good, the embryo transfer is scheduled for 2 weeks from tomorrow!! 

A friend of mine is also a surrogate for a family in Israel. Her embryo transfer is scheduled for next Thursday, February 19th! I am so so excited for her and her intended family. A special "sticky" treat will be delivered by yours truly to make sure those babies stick around for the long haul. It worked for Elly and Daniel so fingers crossed it works for their precious little peanuts too! Please send your sticky thoughts out to Ashley and her intended family! You can follow her journey here!

Nothing makes this momma more proud than the unconditional love that our children have developed along this journey. They have hearts made of gold! Today, my daughter's teacher shared with me that once again, Addy shared with her class that I am going to have babies put in my tummy for another family in Israel. "Some families have two Mommy's, some families have two Daddy's and some families have a Mommy and Daddy. My Mommy is having babies for two Daddy's. Their names are Udi and Matan." ❤️❤️❤️

My cup runneth over!

heart shaped pin cushions

Today marks two weeks since I have started my Lupron injections. I have felt really great this time around. So great that I was beginning to think that I was just imagining how yucky I felt the first time around. I decided to read my posts side effects and menopause sneak peak at age 30 and I am feeling very fortunate to not have any of the same side effects as I did before!

I had an appointment at ORM last Friday to have my blood drawn and an ultrasound. While I was taking my birth control, I had some unexpected bleeding so my doctor wanted to check to make sure I didn't have any cysts that were causing this bleeding. My hormone levels are nice and low and the ultrasound showed that my ovaries are healthy and cyst free. I got the green light to start the Delestrogen injections, complete with heart shaped pin cushion outlines (compliments of the amazing Carrie at ORM) on my back side to guide Jake where to do the injections. My hubby is a superstar!! I could barely feel the shot when he gave it to me last night. I am trying to avoid the golf ball size lumps that I got after a while, so I applied heat packs before and after the injection and also warmed up the oil to help it absorb a little easier.

I can't believe it is already February and we will be having our embryo transfer in just 3 short weeks! I can't wait to share this amazing moment with intended Dad's, Udi and Matan!! They have been dreaming of this opportunity to become parents for over 4 years and after seeing them with Jackson, Addy and Rylon, I know without a doubt that they will be the most amazing parents!! I couldn't be more overjoyed to be part of this amazing journey with them!!

We are beyond blessed to have Udi and Matan part of our family! Here are a few pictures from our time together in December!!



Ludlow Street in New York City!! 



JFK to PDX!!! Eeeeek!!!



At the Zoo! It was FREEZING!!!



Rylon made up his very own knock-knock joke for them...
Knock-knock. Who's there? Udi. Udi who? Udi and Matan!





Udi and Addy were precious together. She absolutely adores him!!





Matan and Jackson have the most amazing connection. Jackson asks almost everyday when he can go visit them!





Dinner at The Rock Pizza after our freezing day at the Zoo



Ice Cream at Salt & Straw



YUM!!!



One of my very favorites!! Love them!





Delicious Spanish Coffee's at Hubers



Loved that they were able to meet my Momma!

After dinner at Hubers

Voodoo Doughnuts

This picture makes my heart melt!!

Love that I get to be their baby momma! ;)

BFF's

It's not good-bye, it's see you later

Can't wait till they come back to visit!!

We had the best time with Udi and Matan...we didn't want them to leave! I am counting down the days until I will get to see them again!!

❤️❤️❤️