A LOT to update!!!

***PERSONAL DISCLAIMER, I did not tell the IPs that I have a blog, so I will change their names until they give me the OK***

Someone asked me today if I had a blog and I said yes, but that it was private.  She rolled her eyes at me so that was my cue to get back on this thing and start recording more memories!! (Thank you Anneke, this one's for you!)

I knew there was a couple that was interested in me, but my medical records had to be cleared by their doctor first before I would ever even know who they were.  The agency told me that their doctor is pretty conservative so if he didn't think I was a good candidate, they would find me another couple!

SO, on August 12th I got an e-mail right as I was putting Ellie to bed.  The e-mail was called "IP Michelle and Matt - IP Profiles" I started crying the second I saw that e-mail title!  I had been POTENTIALLY PAIRED with a couple!!!!  I loved what I read in their profiles, and the picture they had in their profile was absolutely adorable!  I showed their profile to Adam and we both were very excited to move forward!  Within the next few days, I had a Skype call set up with the agency and Michelle.  We chatted for a bit and she told me her story and what lead her to finding a surrogate.  I was so sad to hear what she has gone through.  The lady from the agency (Nicole) said she would recap with both Michelle and I the next day to hear our thoughts and see if we would like to proceed. I didn't need a moment to think about it, I was ready! I stayed on Skype after Michelle signed off and instant messaged Nicole for a little bit and told her I was so excited and felt VERY comfortable with her!

I got an e-mail the next day saying Michelle & Matt would like to proceed!!!! It was the best news ever!!! I remember thinking, OH MY GOSH this is really happening!!! I can't even express how happy I was and how EXTREMELY happy I was for the IPs. 

The next step was to go to California and have an exam and some blood work done!!! Michelle picked me up from LAX and we got to spend quite a bit of time together on the way to the clinic! We also got to have lunch together and she took me to THE Venice Beach! It was wonderful! We really both felt the same connection and are so excited to go down this road together!!!

Her doctor just moved from UCLA to a clinic in Thousand Oaks.  I really liked how he spoke mostly to Michelle... because IT IS HER (and Matt's!) baby and really he is her doctor.  We went over my medical history again and then I had an ultrasound of my uterus.  He measured it and checked the ovaries and such.  He said my reproductive organs are "textbook" which I think made Michelle very happy to hear!  He said as long as my blood work comes back normal, I was an EXCELLENT candidate for the Embryo Transfer!  

A few days later we got word my blood work was perfectly normal and that it was time to start the legal work!  We have a transfer date set for October 30th! The fertility clinic put me on birth control pills at the end of August and I will stay on those until close to the transfer date, then I take all sorts of hormones and what not.  I really don't know much about that because I was confused as all get-out when the nurse was explaining what I need to do.  I am grateful they will have a calendar for me that says what pill(s) to take on what day(s).  I would be so confused otherwise!

Adam and I will be in California for 4 days at the end of October for the transfer!  We are very excited!!! There are a million things I think about everyday, but I tell you, their little baby (who in my head is a girl) is going to be SO loved.  I cannot wait for the day she comes and I get to see Michelle & Matt's face!  I can't wait to see Michelle hold her and fall in love instantly! 

Here are current prayer requests (it's a lot, sorry)

-I am a little nervous for the transfer because they are going to give me valium to relax.  I hope I don't react bad to it.  

-I want this baby to stick and for them to be parents ASAP, so please pray this little baby sticks and is HEALTHY!

-Grey understands I am helping my friend Michelle have a baby, but please continue to pray he does not feel attachment like a sibling.

-I am a little annoyed with stupid comments people say when they learn I am going to be a surrogate. My heart and mind is someplace where theirs clearly will never be... and they just don't get it.  For me, the most exciting day will be when she's born and goes right into Michelle & Matt's arms.  Pray that I have the right words to nicely tell those dummies to buzz off.  :)

-That my children will behave while we're gone... and that Ellie sleeps ok!

-Pray for Michelle & Matt's hearts as they go through this.  They've already been through so much, I can't even imagine how hard it's been.  Pray that I will be a loving example of Christ as I carry their child.  

Thank you, and check back often!!!!!!!

LOVE JULIE