We're Getting There!

Hey all! I dont have much new stuff to report but thought I'd write a quick note to keep you all updated. Laura and I met the new (Cape Cod) OB, Dr. Elmer, last Wednesday. He seemed perfectly nice, although we both left with a bit of a wierd vibe about him. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt, however-I think he may have been a little thrown off by the situation since Laura is coming to his practice as a new patient at 34wks and is also carrying my baby! I've read wonderful things about him as a practitioner and also know that he was recently the OB for another surrogate situation so I'm not too concerned. We have our next appointment with him on December 26th-please pray that things will be more comfortable now that he has met us and understands the situation going into the appointment. And, hey, if not...I guess all that we really need to be concerned with is that he knows how to deliver a baby safely for both Laura and Baby Mac! I keep having to remind myself that, once this baby is here, I will look back at all these little things that I stress about now and realize that I was making a big deal out of nothing. It's easier said than done now but I know it will be true. Not too much longer until we get there! On another note, I am four weeks into the lactation induction and am making sloooooow progress. For those of you who haven't talked to me recently--yes, it's possible to breastfeed a baby that you did not carry and YES, I am doing everything in my power to make this happen! I've been trying to go the natural route (without medications/hormones) because the medications are hard to get, very expensive (not covered by insurance), dont' always work, and can come with side effects. My lactation consultant SWEARS that the natural route is the best way to go so I'm giving it my strongest effort. So, WHAT, you ask, is the natural route? Well, the most natural route would be to have a baby stimulate my milk production by latchiing on but I dont have many mothers lining up to volunteer their newborn for the job! So, the next most natural route is pumping, pumping, and MORE pumping. Currently, I'm pumping every 2-4 hours around the clock, depending on whether I'm home or at work. (At least I'll be somewhat prepared for the night shift when Baby Mac comes!) I'll be honest-it's a LOT of work and I have almost given up a few times due to my lack of progress and VERY sore tatas (sorry if TMI) but I just keep reminding myself of how wonderful a gift it will be if I succeed. It may not be possible for me to carry this baby but I'm going to do everything in my power to make darn sure that nothing else takes away from our mother/child bond. And I am by no means saying that moms who don't breastfeed are bad mothers or do not establish a bond with their child. This is completely a personal decision and something that is important to me. With that being said, I've succeeded in inducing lactation...just not a large amount...I've only gotten a few drops here and there. But, the good news is my body IS responding. And this is why I started so early-I still have 6wks before Baby Mac will be joining us (altho Laura says less)! I never thought I'd ask anyone to pray for my boobs but there's a first time for everything. :) Please also continue to pray for Laura's comfort and strength as well as for Thom and I as we get closer and closer to the arrival of our little miracle. T-37 days!! Here are some pics from the past few weeks...

The Crazy Crew on Cape Cod

Big sister, Brynlee!! Getting excited...sorta.

34 weeks and growing!