36 weeks!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

 I feel as big as Santa. This is me getting ready to go to our Surrogate Christmas party and I really am feeling big. I can tell that we are getting close to the end. I am now having trouble sleeping, getting comfortable, and finding a place that Charlotte is comfy too. I get tired really easy, out of breath with walking and she feels really heavy! None of these thing out of the ordinary for the end of pregnancy but wow am I uncomfortable. My hips are killing me, not sure if they are stretching and prepping my body for delivery or just hurting from laying on my side continuously. I can't sleep or lay on my back because Charlotte is so big that can cut off blood flow to me! It makes me dizzy and nausous and definately not comfy.

I have not been back to the doctor yet so still don't know if we are getting closer or still just in a holding and growing pattern. I can tell shes growing though because my shirts  are getting shorter and my belly is just growing straight out. I can't imagine how big Charlotte is now. She's still very active and it is fun now to feel big lumps and watch my belly distort as she gets comfy.

I have had some false alarms this week. Since I am not really sleeping well I feel all kinds of action, mostly at night. Few nights ago I contracted for about 2 hours at 20 min apart and thought well maybe this is it.... but I finally fell asleep while watching a movie. When I woke up they contractions were gone so it was obviously a false alarm.  Again last night I contracted to where the contractions were way more painful and just rode them out but they didn't get closer in time and eventually calmed down to where I could fall asleep. But then there are other days and nights where I feel great and feel like Charlotte has settled in for the long haul. Not sure when she is going to make her entrance but I am getting excited to meet her.

I also wanted to attach some pictures of some really special ladies that have helped and continue to help me through this journey. The agency that we have gone through is so amazing. They make every step of the way so much easier for us surrogates. We try to get together and share our thoughts, feelings, worries, and experiences monthly with each other. These ladies are some of the most thoughtful and unselfish people with the biggest hearts and I am lucky to be a part of this amazing group.

This is a pic of our Surrogate Christmas party. All these ladies are super surrogates that are helping others dreams come true!

And this lady is the one that made all of this possible. This is Alicia and I, and baby Charlotte, of course. Alicia is the owner of the Gift of Surrogacy and really one of my best friends. She truly is an amazing woman that has helped and continues to help so many families grow. I love the support and laughs that she gives me. I can't be more thankful for her coming into all of our lives!!!