Hi,

I’m Natalia and have been working as the administrative assistant to Carol Weathers and Building Families, Inc. for the past 9 months.  I have found this work to be so amazing and stating that it is rewarding doesn’t describe it enough!  I had some questions and Carol thought that interviewing Breann Piccini would not only answer those for me but also make a nice blog piece.  So here goes:

Is there a significant difference between your first pregnancy and this one being your fifth?

Actually, I’m very lucky, they’re exactly the same….super easy!

When you first decided to become a Surrogate Mom was there anything that you were concerned about?

Yes!  Injections! Just the thought was scary but obviously since I am a third time Surrogate Mom, it really is not that bad.  I consider myself an injection Pro.  LOL

I will share with you a funny story from my first surrogacy. Progesterone is oil based and requires a large needle to draw it from the bottle and you are supposed to replace it with a smaller gauge needle to inject it into your hip.  Well, I guess I was so nervous when the nurse gave me the instructions, that I forgot about the smaller needle.  I do remember that the nurse said that it wouldn’t hurt and that it would take a while to inject the oil.  Those two things were not true!  It hurt and it was super fast injecting the oil….because I was using the bigger needle!  After about a week, I noticed the smaller needles and asked my sister, Tracy, what they were for.  She just started laughing and eventually fell on the floor as she was laughing so hard.  Not funny!  Well, it is now!!

If you had to pick one thing that you would say was the most difficult thing you have faced in all of your experiences, what would it be?

I would say when I found out that I was going to have to have a C-section with the twin pregnancy.  I have never had major surgery before and I didn’t know what to expect and I think that is where most fears come from, the unknown.   But after the surgery and my recovery, truly it was not a big deal. And really in the scheme of things it was a very small sacrifice when you consider what was gained.  Two healthy babies!

How would you describe the differences between your three surrogacies?

All three of my surrogacy arrangements were unique and special in their own way.  They were/are all amazing journeys that I feel truly blessed to have shared with such beautiful and deserving Couples.  The first surrogacy was new for my Couple and myself.  There was so much to learn about the process, literally, but we managed beautifully as we had the support and guidance of the Building Families program.  For my second surrogacy, I was matched with someone who had a daughter through the program years earlier.  The anxiety surrounding the process was not there for either of us.  We were both seasoned and prepared for the process itself.  The biggest difference between the first and second surrogacy is the Couple’s location.  My second Couple were local and were therefore able to attend appointments and I saw them a lot and still do.  I am pregnant now for an international Couple.  So location is a huge difference from my previous surrogacies.  But, I have known this Couple for quite some time as they have been trying to have a baby for a while so we already had a foundation for our relationship prior to beginning the journey.  We are super comfortable with each other and know each other so well already.  And they are reassured because they know that I understand this process better than most not only because it is my fifth pregnancy but because of my work as a Case Manager for Building Families.  I look forward to when they come in a few months and can be there when their son arrives.  It will be a beautiful end to my calling as a Surrogate Mother.

So what advice do you have for young women considering becoming Surrogate Mothers?

This is actually a good question for me because I was only 24 years old for my first surrogacy and my kids were 5 and 3 years old.  I did work full time and knew that they required a lot of attention and care especially at that age.  I realized that Surrogacy was a significant commitment also that would affect not only my life, but my husband’s and children’s lives as well.  My husband and I spoke about it and he assured me he could do whatever was necessary.  I also had the support of my sister and her family and my Dad.   I wanted to make sure that the sacrifices would not be too great for my kids.  But I have found that my being a Surrogate Mom has actually given them more in the end.  They have a better understanding of compassion and grace.  They see that there is always someone less fortunate and it is not about money or one’s possessions.  There is no greater position in this world than being a mother or father.  And they were a part of helping that happen to 2 special Couples and soon a third.  And they are very proud of that fact as am I.

Did you know, more than seven million people of childbearing age in the United States experience infertility?  That’s a lot of people!  As many of us know, infertility is stressful, painful, discouraging, and just plain difficult to deal with.  All too often we don’t say anything because we aren’t sure what to say or how to say it.  Although we truly can’t comprehend their situation, how do we show these people we support them?  Do you have a loved one suffering with this disease and are having trouble finding the right things to say?  Fortunately, RESOLVE has taken the time to write down some “Do’s and Don’ts” such as “Don’t tell them to Relax” and “Offer to pray for them”.  Follow this link to RESOLVE’s infertility guidelines that will help you when speaking to these Couples:

http://www.resolve.org/support-and-services/for-family–friends/infertility-etiquette.html

Be sure to check out any travel warnings before taking the plunge with your wallet.  For instance, although tropical cyclones may occur throughout the year, the South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season is during November to April.  I imagine you can find some really good deals during this time, but then you may encounter inconveniences of delays.  However, you may also be subjected to dangerous conditions before and even after the storm has passed.  For more tips on when to travel to certain destinations, check out http://travel.state.gov/.

Other things to keep in mind are vaccinations and other health precautions that should be considered.  You can always check the Travelers’ Health page of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.

I am often asked “What did your husband think of it? Was he supportive?” I have to admit, when I first approached the idea of being a surrogate mom with my husband, he was not sure what to think.  He didn’t really understand why I would put myself through the difficulties and risks of pregnancy for someone else.  While I recall that I was a perfectly lovely pregnant woman when I carried our two children, his recollection differed a bit…lol!  Even though he did not understand, he knew how I could be when I felt strongly about something so he agreed to be there for me and support me through the process.

When I was pregnant, he was awesome…helping out with our kids in ways he hadn’t before, picking up the slack when I was tired or not feeling well.  Basically he always made sure I was well taken care of.  Although I know he formed a great friendship with our Couple, I could tell he still didn’t fully understand why I wanted to be a Surrogate Mom.

Then it came time for my first surrogacy delivery and he was right there with me in the delivery room along with the baby’s parents.  After their son was born and my husband saw the Intended Mother holding her son for the first time, tears streaming down her face, he walked over to my bedside and whispered into my ear “I totally get it now.  This is amazing!”  In fact, my husband was so supportive that we helped this same Couple have another son and eventually we helped a second Couple have the family they always dreamed of having.

If you are thinking about becoming a Surrogate Mother but your husband/partner isn’t quite sure about it, share my story.  It just might be what he needs to hear to get him on board with your desire to help someone less fortunate than you are! – Tracy

Busy moms alert! You can save so much time by cooking meals just once a week and freezing them.  All you need is some planning, some groceries, and a slow cooker and you can save yourself hours every single week.

How do freezer meals work you ask????  Well, it’s simple.

• You go online and search freezer meals and find recipes that you and your family will enjoy.  Here are some of my favorites:

  • http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/09/black-bean-taco-soup-freezer-meal.html
  • http://www.amandathevirtuouswife.com/2012/12/pesto-chicken-alfredo-freezer-meal.html  (this one is a casserole and I buy the disposable casserole tins at the dollar store to make storage and clean up simple.)
  • http://www.netplaces.com/freezer-meals/poultry/chicken-and-mushroom-fettuccine-alfredo.htm

• Make your grocery list and get to shopping!

• When you get home, you do all the prep work and then freeze the meals in gallon sized Ziploc bags.

• Use a Sharpie to write the temperature setting and cook time for each bag.

• Each night, you put one of those bags into the refrigerator to thaw overnight then put the entire bag into the slow cooker the next day and there you have it!

Easy, breezy, peezy.  Dinner is done!  And if you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars, buy some slow cooker liners and your clean up takes only minutes.

When I make freezer meals, I typically make 10 at a time and always double my recipes for the ones that are family favorites.  Preparing and cleaning takes a mere 2 hours on a Sunday and you are set for about 2 weeks.

Enjoy the meals and the extra time with your family!

It seems like just yesterday Johnny was holding this newborn baby girl!  Look at them now, nine years later!

1. Brownies: Oh yeah, ooey gooey triple chocolate fudge brownies by none other than Martha Stewart. I mean, we could just stop here and call it a day. But no! More Crock-Pot fun awaits.

2. Candles: Why not? If it melts, you can make it in the slow cooker. Here are instructions for making slow cooker Christmas candles, which you could adapt for any other season.

3. Cheesecake: Yum! Check out this recipe for Crock-Pot cheesecake.

4. Crayons: Melt down those crayon stubs to create all-new crayons using your slow cooker.

5. Dye Yarn: Yes, you too can use your Crock-Pot to dye yarn. And here are instructions using Kool Aid.

6. French Fries: Here’s a recipe for homemade “Red Robin” French fries.

7. Granola: I never would have thunk it! You can make granola in your slow cooker.

8. Mashed Potatoes: This makes perfect sense, actually. Here’s a recipe for Crock-Pot mashed potatoes.

9. Play-Dough: Make your own Play-Dough using the slow cooker.

10. Potpourri: Turn your slow cooker into a fragrant potpourri air freshener.

11. Soap: As with candles, if you can melt it, you can make it in a slow cooker. Here are instructions for making soap in a Crock-Pot.

12. Yogurt: My friends tell me that hands down, the easiest way to make yogurt is in your slow cooker.

As the mercury rises, so does your discomfort level. What’s a pregnant mom to do for relief?

• Run errands, go for walks, and do outdoor tasks in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.

• Stay indoors in the shade or air conditioning when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Listen to your local weather forecast for air quality warnings that might make it particularly uncomfortable or difficult to breathe on certain days. Limit your activity on those days.

• Wear light-colored cotton clothing that reflects sunlight. Dark colors will make you feel hotter.

• Stick to wearing natural fabrics such as cotton or linen that allow quick evaporation of moisture and allow your skin to breathe.

• Drink plenty of cool liquids. It’s especially important for you to remain hydrated when you’re pregnant in the summer heat.

• If you feel lightheaded or dizzy, get out of the sun. Minimize your exposure to direct sunlight during the hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

• Always sit in at least partial shade to keep from overheating.

• Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before venturing into the sun to prevent sunburn. Pregnant skin tends to be more prone to burning and blotching in the sun due to hormonal influences.

• Take quick showers frequently to keep cool.

• Carry a spray bottle of water to spritz yourself if you feel uncomfortably hot.

• Put your feet up often to alleviate swelling and improve circulation.

• Minimize salt intake to decrease swelling due to water retention.

• Take frequent naps. The heat can really wear you out, and you’ll feel much better if you’re getting enough rest.

• Ask for help if you’re too tired to cook, clean, or run errands. As your pregnancy progresses and the temperatures rise, you might be too exhausted to keep up with your usual routine. Talk with family, friends, and neighbors to get the assistance you need or hire someone to help out at home.