Vanesa’s last tour of duty ended on April 10, 2007 when she delivered Marta’s baby brothers on April 10, 2007. Alvaro weighed in at 5lb 5oz and his little brother Alejandro weighed 5lb 4oz. This family is complete all thanks to Vanesa!!
Leticia’s day started off as normal as every other day. She helped her sons get ready for school and also to pack some extra things for their stay at their aunt’s house as she would be away at the hospital for a few days. Her boys were familiar with the routine as their incredible mom helped make the dreams of two other Couples come true in the past few years.
I picked her up at her home and we made small talk all the way to the hospital. We took what seemed like a million pictures with Leticia and her Couple, Leticia and me, anyone passing by….well you get the idea. The excitement for what was to come started to get the best of us. We could hardly stand the anticipation!
When a woman has a C-Section, it is normal that the anesthesiologist meet the patient and discuss the procedure. Normal was definitely the theme of that morning. I’m not sure exactly when it changed, but I do remember clearly that it had a lot to do with our anesthesiologist. She was becoming quite affected by the affection Leticia’s Couple would show her through the window in the OR and by everyone’s reaction when Hugo was born. She had tears in her eyes.
I know firsthand how beautiful this process is and I am moved beyond words when each baby is born to his or her parents. But I have to admit I was surprised by this doctor’s emotional response. She didn’t know any of these people. How could she be so affected? I was somewhat perplexed. As I wandered back and forth between Leticia’s bedside and Hugo’s bedside, she told me that I was the luckiest person on earth to witness such genuine compassion on a regular basis. I immediately agreed with her, of course!
I found this special doctor at Leticia’s bedside before she was going on to her next case. She told Leticia that Heaven has a special place for the kindest and most generous of people and she certainly was going to this special place. She said nothing else, just patted her hand and looked at her for a moment before she left. What was that look? It was the same look that a Mom has when she beams with pride over her children’s accomplishment but it also had a hint of gratitude. She was thanking her for being such a truly good person. How great is that?
Hugo and his family agree that Leticia is truly a gift to all of us. March 16, 2007 is the date Leticia’s third and final surrogacy ended. But the gifts she gave this family and the two Couples before them, will never end. Thank you, Leticia, for sharing your heart and your life with us at Building Families for many beautiful and wonderful years.
Rebecca doubly surprised everyone, especially Megan, when her arrival was almost a week late on March 9, 2007 and she tipped the scales by weighing 8lb!
After Ryan was born, Reagan ran throughout the waiting room excitedly telling anyone who would listen, “I have a baby brother and he is this big!” as she held her arms out to show them his size. November 20, 2006 is the day Breann made this little girl happier than ever when she delivered her baby brother, Ryan, who weighed in at 5lb 12oz.
I first met Teigan at the infertility doctor’s office. As I sat discussing the surrogacy process with her mom & Geri I thought I would get Teigan’s input. I asked her if she was hoping for a baby brother or sister. She answered after careful thought, “Well, a sister I guess, but I’d rather have a puppy instead.” The room roared with laughter, but Teigan couldn’t understand it as she was completely serious!
It took a while for the pregnancy to finally occur, so I’m sure Teigan was beginning to think that the prospects of getting a puppy were getting better and better. I’m not sure when reality set in for her, but I imagine the first night at home with Liam & Carrick was a reality check for everyone especially their parents!!
Geri did such a remarkable job in bringing two big healthy babies into the arms of their awaiting family. October 26, 2006 marks the day that Liam and Carrick were born weighing 5lb 12oz and 6lb 3oz, respectively. It also marks the day that the puppy idea went out the window!
After Liam & Carrick were born and Geri was resting in her room I decided to go check on Mommy in the nursery. Mommy is a neonatal physician so it didn’t surprise me to see her reviewing the charts, making sure everything is in order. She didn’t see me at first, so I waited by the window until the moment she would look up. I didn’t want to knock because it felt like I was watching the most beautiful movie ever made. I watched her examine her baby girl with the same gentleness I have seen her handle other babies in the past while doing her job. But then she stopped and just stared at her baby girl. Then she bent over, kissed her forehead and then whispered something in her ear. I imagine that it was then that she said to her, “Hello Baby Girl, I’m your Mommy.”
Many are astounded to discover how an international, Spanish speaking only Couple can bond with a Surrogate Mom and her family who have no Spanish vocabulary. Just the distance alone should adversely impact the relationship, but when you add in the language barrier this relationship should be doomed.
Larissa offered to help this Couple achieve parenthood. This is so profound that it reaches past and through any obstacles that try and stand in the way of the bond that will surely form. But in this case, something even greater occurred. Larissa’s mom, sister, brother-in-law, husband (the list is endless) welcomed Bet’s parents into their home and their hearts. In a short time, it was clear that this Couple had become part of the Carpenter Clan and will forever be considered their adopted family. July 26, 2006 signifies the day that Larissa made this family complete and made her own family bigger by 3! Bet arrived weighing 6lb 15oz.
Tegan’s Dad and grandparents were full of pride when they talked about the newest member of their family. But her Mom’s description of her baby girl seem to suit her the best, The Sweetest Thing. Myah changed her Couple’s lives forever on May 23, 2006 when Tegan Maia arrived weighing 6lb 4oz
Kristi planned everything around the pregnancy confirmation date and delivery long before we had the embryo transfer. To everyone’s disbelief, it happened exactly as she planned! On April 26, 2006, Miguel arrived weighing 5lb 2oz and Juan weighed in at exactly 5lb.
Tracy must have felt that she was in a race with more obstacles than one can imagine. Although the journey had its difficult moments, Tracy never lost her determination to make Tyler a big brother. And that is what she did on April 18, 2006 when Kyle was born weighing 9lb 6oz. A whole pound more than his brother was at birth! Wow!!
Cristina doubled the joy of Alejandro & Gabriella’s parents when she gave them the greatest gift in the world. Not one but two babies! November 19, 2005 marks the day these two cutie pies arrived!
