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GIRL! We’re having a little girl! We couldn’t be more excited! I’ve been busy working on her room, buying some sleepers, and trying to teach Everett that he’s having a little sister. Life is about to change for him but I think he’ll be a really great older brother too! He loves babies and thinks he has a ‘baby’ in his tummy now too. It’s too cute!!! Most of you know I love to decorate and like to be 5 steps ahead than 2 steps behind so here’s a little sneak peak of her room so far.

I’ve received a few questions about our surrogacy journey so I’m going to try to answer them all the best that I can!

Names!? Are we thinking of names? YES… of course I am. You know me, I’m a planner and an organizer, and love to dream. I’ve had a list since I was like 8 years old. Craig? Maybe not… haha. Actually though, even before we got pregnant I felt like we were going to have a girl and her name would be ………………. So, that’s what I’m sticking to. Craig actually thinks that it’s perfect and beautiful too. Her middle name is also so special to me. I can't wait to share it!

When did this start to seem real? This whole journey still seems so surreal at times and I wonder how we even got here. Honestly though! Other than my scar, I feel like I was never sick and that part of my life doesn’t even exist. The fact that they told me I’d never be able to do physical activity ever again… what? One month post surgery, and I was healed – miracles do happen! For the most part I’ve been able to see the positive side of things. Many people tell me they’re so sorry to hear what I had to go through and that it must’ve been really hard… but you know what, I’ve also met some of the most amazing people on this journey and I feel so blessed for that too. I’ve learned so much about fertility, surrogacy, my body, health, and it’s helped me really identify the important things in life. It puts a lot of things in perspective!

How’s our surrogate doing? Oh my goodness, Heidi is the most selfless person!! She is the most amazing mother to her 4 kids, and yet somehow she is able to juggle our precious little girl as well. I don’t say that lightly – Heidi has been sick this whole pregnancy! Somehow she always seems to smile, laugh cry, or joke about it. I had a lot of guilt for a few months hearing how sick she was. How is that fair to her? I was never sick with Everett and now this wonderful woman offers to carry our child and she’s sick every single day. Hopefully the 3rd trimester will be better!

How was your trip with Heidi this summer? We were able to go to the Shuswaps with Heidi and her family this summer for 6 days and its was really special. I got to learn so much more about her kids and be in the ‘presence’ of my beautiful daughter. We went boating, did water sports, paddle boarded, went for dinners, played games, relaxed, and just hung out. It was really nice! When the time came to leave… I started to tear up… even though I was going to see her again in 2 days. It was a weird emotion that came over me of leaving my baby... that I was with for 6 days in a row. A mothers’ instinct.

Is surrogacy what you thought it would be like? Surrogacy is harder than I could ever imagine. I think that if I hadn’t experienced pregnancy before, it would be a lot easier. I miss those baby kicks, the elbows in your ribs, the bouncing on your bladder, the feeling of not being able to tie your shoes, waking up and needing food asap, having a hard time getting off the couch or waking up 8 times in the middle of the night to pee. It’s bitter sweet. But deep down I’m still just thankful we’re able to have another child. A child that’s mine and Craigs - that will have our features, that has our genetics, that will look like us, and that will be ours.

What am I most excited to pass down to our girl? So my mom made me this amazing Barbie house for Christmas when I was little. She stayed up late at night after I went to bed…. For weeks and weeks! She laid carpet, put up wallpaper, built a balcony with spiral stairs, laid tiny shingles by hand, put in a patio with a hot tub, beautiful windows and doors, and even wired the Barbie house so that I could plug in chandeliers, lamps, and Christmas lights so they lit up! WOW! I still think about this and am overjoyed. She’s actually bringing it up in a few days so I can put it in our girls’ room. I’ll have to show you a photo one day!

Did we want a boy or a girl? To be honest, Craig and I thought both would be perfect. Another boy would be amazing because Everett and him would be best friends (20 months apart). I also grew up with 2 older brothers and was a total tomboy and sports fanatic growing up… so I would’ve fit right in. But on the other hand, a girl is perfect too because now we have a million dollar family. Yes... I just learned this term too – apparently a million dollar family is one boy and one girl. It’s nice we will have one of each and I can dress this little girl up… and don’t worry, I’ll make her play sports too! Haha But at least I can go wedding dress shopping, get manicures together, hopefully share some clothes or shoes, and just do those girl things. So like I said, both would’ve been perfect!

Well, that’s enough for tonight! <3

Comment below and I’d love to answer some more questions next week!!

<3 Chantelle