I'm Gonna Be An Oven!

9:44 AM

 I promise, it is not at all what you think. Yes, I am always a little full of hot air. Sometimes, my steely stare can cook Matt or the kids right on the spot, but when I say I am going to be an oven, I mean it quite literally. I wrestled with the idea of waiting longer to post this on the blog, but I figured what fun is it if I have no one to share the experience with. I have decided to be a.......

Gestational Surrogate!

First I should probably explain for those not versed in surrogate lingo, that there are two types of surrogates. There are traditional surrogates who use their own eggs in the process and are then biologically linked to the child they carry for the parents to be (also known as Intended Parents or IPs.) Then, there are gestational surrogates. These are surrogates that simply have the embryos implanted into their uterus and are not biologically connected to the child at all. This is the type I am going to be.

Now that all that mumbo jumbo is out of the way, let's talk about the fun part! For years I have thought about being a surrogate and have researched it thoroughly. I wanted to wait until things were settled here at home and all of the boys were school aged before moving forward. I loved being pregnant and now that I am done building my own family, I can't think of any greater way to give back then to give the joy of parenthood to a couple that otherwise would not be able to experience having a child of their own.

I am happy to say that I am now matched with a wonderful set of IPs and I know that they are going to make wonderful parents. I have had my medical records sent to the fertility clinic and the next step is a phone consult with the RE (reproductive endocrinologist) on Monday and then a crazy test to make sure I am not certifiably insane (the jury is still out on this one.) After that, there will be a ton of screening and rather unpleasant testing, but rest assured, I will share it all with you guys so you can enjoy it too. :)

Well, that is pretty much it for my big update. Now you know what I have been up to for the last few weeks. This is one oven I know how to use properly. I am a regular baby chef! I hope you will enjoy following me in this chapter of my life.

 Want to read more about surrogacy from someone who has been there and done that? Check out my friend Rhea from Mommy23monkeys who wrote an Introduction to Surrogacy. She is my inspiration and has delivered surrogate triplets and a single little guy for two separate families!

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Kathleen is a homeschooling mom of four boys with a serious case of the Wanderlust bug. Her love of travel extends to her children, and has resulted in the family visiting 48 states to date, and traveling nearly a third of the year. She is the owner of LifeWith4Boys.com where you will find information on Family Travel, recipes, reviews, lifestyle and more.

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25 comments

  1. MegFebruary 3, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I think what your doing is great! I personally could never do it because I would be way too attatched. But I applaud the women like you that can do that and give that amazing gift to someone! Good luck to all of you!

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  2. RheaFebruary 3, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    I am so excited for you Kathleen!! It will be an amazing experience. I am always here if you need me.

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    How exciting! I think this is going to be a wonderful experience. Congrats on this step!

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  4. SheilacakesFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    That is an amazing thing to do.

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  5. Lorie ShewbridgeFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    Kathleen, that is one of the sweetest, most selfless thing I think any woman can do for another woman.
    Good luck and God bless you for doing this. I cannot wait to hear all about it and follow you through this.
    Do you think you will be pregnant for the Disney conference??? How exciting.
    Crystal from Simply Being Mommy has also been a surrogate, such wonderful women I have become friends with. :)

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  6. KathleenFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Thank-you ladies. You are all very sweet!

    Lorie, I may be cycling by the time the Disney conference rolls around, but it is unlikely that I will have transferred by then. Hopefully by April though!

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  7. KathyFebruary 3, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Wow! What a very kind thing to do. I will be following along on your journey!

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  8. candaceFebruary 3, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    That is AMAZING Kathleen! I can't wait to hear more about your journey!

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  9. Simply Being MommyFebruary 3, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    That's great! Good luck.

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  10. MySentimentExactLeeFebruary 3, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    You are an amazing person and I am so glad to know you. Wow, just wow!

    Lee

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  11. That Bald ChickFebruary 3, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    What an amazing gift you are!

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  12. MandiFebruary 3, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    You are giving them such an amazing gift, and that makes YOU amazing!!

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  13. KathleenFebruary 3, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Ladies, I am not amazing. It is just a way to give back. Trust me, there are plenty of other incredible ladies who are doing and have done the exact same thing.

    I just posted this because I am excited about this chapter of my life and being able to do share it with all of you. Thank-you for your kind words!

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  14. HeatherFebruary 3, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    I'm so excited to begin reading about this experience! And yes, you have a wonderful resource in Rhea. Wow!

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  15. Lucy postpartumillness.comFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Wow you two are amazing. I would get so attached so I dont think this would work for me. Cant wait to hear the updates.

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  16. AmandaFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    This is such a great gift you can give a family. How exciting!

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  17. Julie from TheLittleKitchen.netFebruary 4, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    That is so awesome, what a wonderful thing you're doing! It'll be great to read about your journey.

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  18. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Very proud of you. I know the new IP are going to be thrilled.

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  19. Heather @ Girl Gone MomFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    I knew you were a generous person just by how helpful you were to me on twitter, but I only knew the tip of the iceberg! What an awesome way to give back.

    Curious to hear more about how this works.

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  20. Not So Average MamaFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    WOW! You are AWESOME!

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  21. DeeFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Wow, that is so awesome and very strong of you!!

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  22. SamFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    That's amazing!

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  23. ConnieFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Wow! What an amazing gift you are to these parents-to-be! I have goosebumps thinking about it. I wish it had been more acceptable back when I was having kids....I so would have considered it as well.

    You're amazing

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  24. The Rebel ChickSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    I think this is amazing and wonderful! What a selfless thing to do for another family!

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  25. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    How did I miss this?! Wow, just wow. This is an amazing sacrifice and for people you don't really know. I'm glad everything is going well for you so far :)

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