Illinois...Day 6!

I've been in Illinois for almost a week.  Megan lost her mucus plug last Tuesday (March 25) which resulted in instant panic that Jacob might be coming soon.  Alaina & Matisyn came 5 days after she lost it last time so there was the potential.  So I drove to Illinois by myself on the 26th.  Today is Day 6 and still no Jacob.  I think we have a very stubborn little boy on the way. 

We had the weekly OB appointment on Monday, March 31st which revealed she is almost 75% effaced and a fingertip dialated.  So he could techically come any day.  I am not a patient person, I'm so ready to hug and kiss my little boy!!  Every time my phone vibrates I jump thinking its a phone call from Megan. 

But I owe a BIG SHOUT OUT to Mike & Debbie, Megan's in-laws. They are the most gracious hosts ever!! They welcomed a complete stranger into their home, shown me the sights and sounds of the town and country farm fields, new restaurants (including delicious margaritas!!) and have made the wait so much more enjoyable than it would have been if I were stuck in a cramped hotel room by myself. 

15 More Days.... (if he decides to make his mommy wait until Aprl 16) 

JACOB CHARLES TURNER

He has a name!!  We finally committed to a name!! 

Jacob

In the Old Testament, Jacob (later called Israel) is the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the father of the twelve founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born holding his twin brother Esau's heel, and his name is explained as meaning "holder of the heel" or "supplanter".

Charles

Is his grandfathers name and his daddy's first name. 

The name Charles is a German baby name. In German the meaning of the name Charles is: From the Old German carl, meaning a man. Famous bearer: British Charles Prince of Wales.

Here's a project I completed a few weeks ago to hang in his room! 

3D/4D Ultrasound

We had our 3D/4D ultrasound at 27 weeks 3 days.  I had been anxiously awaiting this day literally for years!  I wanted to have one with the girls but we were never able to work it out.  So...this time we arranged to fly Megan down for the girls 5th birthday and have the 3D/4D ultrasound!  The countdown was on to this date. Megan's flight down ended up having a kink as her flight from Atlanta to Birmingham was delayed but we solved that, I just took off and drove to Atlanta to get her!  Gave us some girl time on the drive back. The day of the ultrasound is finally here!! We made a stop at Starbucks to get some caffeine to get him awake and stirring.  Well I think all that did was make him mad.  :)

First attempt - he had his hands and feet up in his face and then finally decided to just flip completely over! The worst possible position for him to be in and he wasn't budging or turning back over.  So the staff was so gracious and offered for us to come back after lunch.  So we agreed to go have lunch and come back since their afternoon schedule was pretty open.

Second attempt - he flipped back over but still was being very stubborn and not wanting to give us a good face shot.  It was still a very exciting day and a great experience.  We got several sweet pictures, dvd, and a heartbeat buddy so I can hear his sweet heartbeat anytime I want. 

Funny Moment - When I scheduled the appointment I told them this was a surrogacy pregnancy.  Well obviously they didn't "note" it on the appointment.  So we get in the room and the ultrasound starts and she starts pointing out things and asks "Do you see it mom" - So I said yes... Then she asks again and directs the question specifically to Megan.. and she points and says "She's Mom!"  :D 

Its A BOY!!

YES It's True!! We are having a Baby Boy!! 

He measured absolutely perfect!!  

 

 

Look at that sweet profile!!

 

 

Hello 2nd Trimester!!

 

12 Weeks 5 Days Ultrasound.  :)  We made the trip up to Illinois to see how big our little one has grown, measuring a day ahead at 12w6d, his/her heartrate was strong at 150bpm. Unfortunately we have not gotten to meet the OB yet but the ultrasound tech and NP were both very friendly and receptive and understand Megan is a surrogate and we are mom and dad. :)  Alaina & Matisyn did very well sitting and watching the baby move around on the screen.  One time he/she did a big stretch, it was so so cute!  Matisyn wanted to know where was Alaina's baby, apparently she thinks there should be 2 babies.  Not this time!  The next ultrasound is scheduled for November 26th and we hope to find out if this is a little boy or a little girl.  I don't care as long as the baby is healthy but I am just so ready to know so I can start shopping for baby clothes!!  :)

11 Weeks - 29 Weeks to Go!!

11 Weeks Today! Some days it feels like time is standing still and other days it feels like we were just preparing for transfer. Megan asked me last night, if I had taken a deep breath yet!?! I can't figure out why this one has made me more anxiety prone. I do not remember being this nervous about Alaina & Matisyn at all. From the first +HPT to the first ultrasound seeing 2 little beating hearts, I never considered something might go wrong. Maybe its the thought that this is our last chance! This one was our last embryo!

We will be traveling the weekend of the 13th for the First Trimester Screening on October 14th! I CANNOT wait to see our little girl/boy moving/dancing around.  I'm sure I will have lots of pictures to share after that appointment. 

This is our little one last week at 10 Weeks! Megan said he/she was very wiggly and obviously an acrobat as he/she appears to like standing on their head. :)

 

 

Goodbye ART Fertility Program...

Matt and I had our final appointment with Dr. Honea at the ART Fertility Program today.  I could write a novel about how wonderful this place has been to us.  We walked in their door in August of 1999 with no idea the struggles we were about to face to create a family.  Now 14 years later we have 2 beautiful little girls and a new baby on the way!! We had to have one last visit to get released for OB care!  This is a very exciting time but also very sad as we walked out of the clinic today for the last time...no more labs...no more procedures... Thank You ART Fertility Program of Alabama for all you have done!!