2 month and 9 month check ups & Citizenship (not yet)

We have just gotten home from Miss C's 9 month check up and Cailyn is in perfect health!  
Cailyn's height and length are now proportionate (not that it really matters) and she falls into the 85th percentile on both.  She is a big girl!

Preswim in the locker room

Life jacket training!

Enjoying the nice weather in the back yard

Trying to pick up the hose - she was successful!

Cailyn's top front teeth have almost broken through, and she has discovered that she can grind them against the bottom teeth...oh how I hate this noise!!  Cailyn can do the hand movements to a Polish song that all Polish kids learn.  We have modified it with some English and changed some of the motions, but she knows them now!   Speaking of her teeth, here is a great pic of her after an organic teething biscuit...

Yummy cookie!

This week on The Next Family I write about our first doctor visit here at home and the agony of whether to vaccinate or not!
http://thenextfamily.com/topics/family/surrogacy-family/kerrie-olejarz/

We had hoped Cailyn would be a Canadian citizen by now, but sadly, it looks like this process will be quite lengthy.  We had thought about taking a trip this summer but will not be able to as Cailyn will not have a valid passport and cannot get one without proof of citizenship.  In typical fashion, if I had birthed her myself out of country there would be no delay.

On Sunday I awoke to an alarming statement made on Facebook by a Toronto based lawyer.  Here are the words that made me beyond angry:  

Surrogacy in India has become increasingly popular, mostly because of the anticipated lower costs. There have been several incidents in which the babies born were not genetically linked to the intended parents, which presumably happened as a result of a mix-up in the laboratory. If the laboratory standards were below par, how can we be confident that the medical care is adequate? This week, an Ind...ian surrogate in her 8th month of pregnancy, had a seizure. The clinic's first reaction was to deliver the baby and then arrange for care for the surrogate. She died Now we know that both the intended parents and the clinics treat the surrogates as commodities, and anyone who chooses India does so on this basis.

I was so pissed reading this lawyer's so called personal opinion on a subject she knows nothing about.  This also makes me believe that she is trying to drum up fear with Canadians based on her hair brained assumptions, thus, keeping her bank account full here at home.  Of course, all of us who travel to India want the very best for our surrogate's well being, family and her life in general.  I have personally heard stories from here at home when Dr's had to make the decision to remove a baby asap and then deal with the ill mother afterwards.  It is very sad that in the related story that the surrogate did not make it, and all of us in our community mourn for her family.  As much as we mourn, we know this is not the "norm" as we have witnessed first hand.   I could ramble on about this for ever as I am so passionate about it, but I won't.  All I know, is if I was the owner of the clinic (Pulse) in Ahmedabad, I would not tolerate such slander.

Advice, grass and a visit!

I think all new parents get alot of grief about what they should or should not be doing.  This week I share a little in site into our situation on thenextfamily.com

here is the link if you wish to have a read:   http://thenextfamily.com/topics/family/surrogacy-family/kerrie-olejarz/

Cailyn is growing in leaps and bounds, and we have now hit 9 months!!  She is a little shit at night now, and this has been going on for about 6 weeks.  I am desperate for sleep and therefore caving - bringing her into our bed... not good, but at least I am getting sleep.  She starts in her crib then 5 hours later awakes and will not settle.  Nothing works, not a bottle, not cuddles, so I bring her into bed with me and she crashes instantly.  It is amazing how at this young of age, how well they can manipulate us!! We will figure it out, eventually!

The Elmo balloon is still going strong and still a HUGE hit with Miss C!

Only crawl backwards and sideways!

And still rolling!

Getting lots of blond hair

Just cute, kinda angelic

I joined a stroller fit class and when we do abdominal work Cailyn loves to sit on the grass, and of course, eat the grass!

Wednesday we had a visit from Madge of The Next Family, she is on a North American tour meeting up with writers and other web based contacts.  Madge spent the day and one night with us.  She spoiled us with lovely gifts for Cailyn and some wonderful napkins of Indian style for Mark and I and also a laying Buddha statue.  It was really nice to meet her and spend the day with her!!  Here is Madge and I, the curly duo!

And of course, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS

to Doug and Bill on their very long awaited baby girl Cristina!!!

And also to Jason and Adrian on the somewhat early arrival of Clara and Olivia!

Sharing some wisdom

This week on the Next Family I decided to share a little wisdom on the exit process.  I think it important that when we jump into this journey that we understand the potential time lines for the exit process.  Knowledge is power.  And, remember there will more than likely be hiccups with the process so try to take them in stride and enjoy your baby(ies)

http://thenextfamily.com/topics/family/surrogacy-family/kerrie-olejarz/

Now onto Cailyn..joy, fun, laughter.  What else can I say!!  Besides the pattern of waking up at night for moments, she is perfect in every way! Cannot wait to give her a brother or sister to play with!!  Cailyn is in a stage where everything is funny, she laughs alot, even at me when I make eye contact with her, or when she sees Ellen on TV.  It is so so so much fun!!  Cailyn will be 9 months next Thursday..oh how the time is flying!

Finally - hair!

Blackberries

Almost finished!

I decided to buy Cailyn a balloon, just did not realize how BIG it was until the woman started filling it with helium.  Cailyn goes psycho for this balloon - no fear, all fun!

Swimming week 2 - with daddy this time, she looks like a wake board pro!

Awe...

At a friends house - crashed after some 40th birthday excitement.



Something I have been researching for us older girls with a not so favourable AMH is the use of DHEA.  Here is an interesting article on the use of DHEA for lowered or premature ovarian aging.   http://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/premature_ovaries.html 

Swimming lessons!

Well, Cailyn is a natural swimmer! She loved the experience despite the fact that it was nap time!  (Ignore the beached whale swimming with her)  The pool is a therapy pool and is bath tub warm.  The class seems slow paced - almost like having a bath.  The best part about it is that Cailyn enjoyed it, loved kicking her legs in the water and was the noisiest baby in the group!

Cailyn's swim group.

Things Cailyn does now at 8.5 months:

Waves hello and goodbye
Pics up finger foods and puts in her mouth
Crawls backwards very easily and with some speed
Says hello when we sing the Teletubbies theme song
Goes to bed at 7 pm and awakes at 7 am (with some wake ups during the night)
Loves (for many months now) Phantom of the Opera.  This is her very favourite version:  http://youtu.be/2cbTxLmGAds
Drinks from a straw (supervised), soy milk drink boxes are a favourite!

Cailyns favourite foods include avocado, chicken, mango and berries.  She eats everything and never makes a fuss.  I have huge paranoia about her eating a baby MumMum by herself (supervised) and choking on it.  I am not sure when this fear will leave me , but I guess one day I will feel at ease, until then, I will continue to make sure all finger foods and self feeding are non-choking size. 

It is hard to believe we have been home for 7.5 months now!! As I wrote my Next Family update this week, it was hard to believe that I was writing about our first few days home, which seemed so long ago!   Click on the picture below to have a read..

The sweet sounds of our angel!

This and That...

For those of you who have come home with your baby(ies) you know how wonderful it is to pull into your driveway after a long experience and many many hours of travel.  On The Next Family I write about this.  http://thenextfamily.com/author/kerrie-olejarz/

Compensation for surrogacy, egg or sperm donation is not legal in Canada, and the wonderful Sally at www.surrogacy.ca has started a petition to see if we can encourage change in the government.  If you feel like supporting this, please sign the petition.  As you know, we support and endorse Surrogacy in India, but would love to see change here at home.  Here is the link:  

http://www.change.org/petitions/health-canada-canadian-government-allow-for-the-commercialization-of-third-party-reproduction-in-canada

Miss Cailyn, oh Miss Cailyn!! We are just loving every moment of her!  This week she starts her learn to swim class, so of course, we had to decide on which suit to wear:

You know, I have the same legs as Cailyn, but, they don't look so cute on me!

So, apparently (I have just noticed) I take alot of pics of Miss C in her high chair!

Discovering oranges!

Enjoying oranges!

Silly headband for a silly girl!  (iPhone - BLUR)

Exhausted after a fun day.

Big eyes!



April 17th - 8 months!! And...we are home!

This week on the Next Family we finally land in Toronto!! For those of you who have brought home your baby(ies) you know just how wonderful it is to touch down at home!

http://thenextfamily.com/topics/family/surrogacy-family/kerrie-olejarz/

April 17th means Cailyn is 8 months old!! How great and how sad. She is growing so nicely, she is such a pretty girl, great temperament and a pure delight!!  Sadly, she is growing..no more little baby...now, a more independent girl.  It is such a pleasure to share the days with her (and the nights..most of the time).  Today I went to the mall to buy a birthday gift for Cailyn's little friend Tori who turns 1 this week.  At the mall, many people stopped and commented on how cute or pretty Cailyn is.  It is odd that people do this, or maybe I just think it is odd, regardless, it is nice of people to make these wonderful comments.   We are working on Cailyn's eating independence, trying to get her to pick up pieces of food and self feed.  She can pick up food, but getting it into her mouth still needs work.

What happened April 17th "

7:00 am - wake up
7:30 am - have 5 oz bottle
8:00 am - gnaw on the carpet
8:30 am - try very hard to eat the hardwood floors, mommy says "No, no , no"
9:00 am -cereal, soy milk,  then nap
10:00 am - try to eat the hardwood with fury, mommy says "Cailyn, no, no ,no "
10:15 am - try to eat the carpet, with fury "Noooooooooo"
10:20 am - into the exersaucer, try to eat the plastic tray in the exersaucer
10:30 am - squeal and cry in frustration or pain as the plastic is hard and does not taste good
10:45 am - out of the exersaucer, playing with mommy, giving mommy lots of full on open mouth kisses
fast forward to 3:30 pm - doing a day care inspection and interview, Cailyn leans over to kiss mommy and CHOMPS down on mommy's lip like a pit pull, locked in with her two teeth, crunching away on mommy's lower lip
9:00 pm - mommy's lip is swollen and hurts like hell

Happy 8th month b-day baby, we love you!!!

Blueberry and cereal .. makes a mess but oh so yummy!

Enjoying the nice weather

Smile for the camera!

Cailyn is super long, almost  off the charts! 

Almost 8 months

We were getting ready for bed and had Cailyn in bed with us for some pre bed time cuddles, all of a sudden she scratches at a pillow and finds it funny.  Mark was able to grab his iPhone and capture it on video.   Her laugh is just pure joy for us!!

Cailyn got a doodied up for Easter, and thanks to my sister, she got her own set of bunny ears. 

 Easter Sunday morning, we went for a big walk, just mommy, daddy and Cailyn.  We feel like we often do not get time to just be a family on the weekends so this was a great way to enjoy our time, and the nice weather.  Cailyn loved going on the swings and that silly bouncy thing..not sure what it is called?

This week on the Next Family I write about finally boarding a plane from Delhi to Brussels!

Here is the link if you want to have a read...   http://thenextfamily.com/topics/family/surrogacy-family/kerrie-olejarz/

Last week Cailyn and I visited the fertility clinic in Toronto that helped us with our journey.  We went late in the day out of sensitivity to the other patients.  I know that when we were trying to have a baby (for 15 years), the last thing I wanted to see was some woman showing off her "success", so, knowing that cycle monitoring is in the morning at the clinic, we went much later in the day out of respect for the current patients.  We were showered with wonderful compliments about what a beauty Cailyn is, and even the surgical nurses came to meet Cailyn.  It was really wonderful to spend a little time with the team that truly supported us, and were the first team to not kick us to the curb as soon as they heard we wanted to go to India.  If you are in Toronto, and need a wonderful fertility clinic, try TCART in Yorkville.  After the show, I spoke with the Dr about timing out our next cycle, meds, etc... 

Looks like Cailyn may pop  out a tooth or two really soon.  She has cheeks like apples, full hand in mouth and drool, oh the drool!  Fortunately she is not cranky about it!

Cailyn will be 8 months next Tuesday..NOOOOO!! The time is going just too fast!! I want it to stop.  Well, knowing that is not going to happen, we just have to enjoy every moment with her at each age, every day.  

A few great positive announcements last week, and whats with these high betas?  LOVE IT!! Congrats to you all!!  Hayden and Scralett are making huge progress, and I think they know mommy is there for them, and , secondarily, the amount of prayers from our online community, and of course, the wonderful doctors at the Delhi Newborn Centre.

Cailyn ROLLS!

A little video of our girl on the move!  Ignore the goofy hat - I put it on as a joke to protect her head - should my in laws see the video!  Somehow my angle is really weird...iPhone...will I ever figure it out?

This week on the Next Family I write about leaving India, and dealing with an expired Visa at security!

http://thenextfamily.com/2012/04/surrogacy-in-india-9/

A very funny article on the Next Family last week by Ann was about swearing in front of your kids...have a read, its a short read and really funny! http://thenextfamily.com/topics/urban-dweller/urban-dwellers-ann-brown/

Here is Cailyn in her leg warmers.  She received a 4 pack of them from my sister at Christmas.  They are hilarious!! She loves to wear them when rolling around, seems having exposed feet's makes for better traction. 

Cailyn calls everyone dada, and only says momma when she is upset (lucky me).  Cailyn also claps, well fista claps, but she gets the concept.  She likes to clap during Patty Cake; and when we encourage her with "Yay"'s and lots of clapping.   She can now stand a bit supported - like holding onto the couch or tables. She is now in her next stage Britax car seat and she really loves it.  I guess it is super roomy and she feels quite luxurious in it!  And lastly, she wants to sleep on her belly...which makes me a nervous wreck!  Thank god for the Angel Care monitor, but, sadly, the rolling in the crib sets off the piercing alarm quite frequently through the night.





Hospital tour and ROLLING!

This week on the Next Family I write about our wonderful dinner with new friends in Delhi, and how super impressive ISIS hospital is!

http://thenextfamily.com/author/kerrie-olejarz/

We were very fortunate that Dr Shivani took time out of her very busy day to give us a tour.  Sure makes me feel great about egg collection for baby number two!!  Great facilities with a great team running it all!

Great news, Miss C is back to sleeping in her crib, through the night.  I think Allie was correct that it was a growth spurt.  We ramped up her eating as well, which she took to no problem.  This all makes sense that she was taking on some weight and length, and obviously, brain power.

Cailyn is now in the next stage car seat, a Britax Marathon.  She LOVES it!  It is so roomy and she really enjoys the luxury of it. 

Rolling rolling rolling!!!  I went to make a coffee, and when I returned to the living room , less than 3 minutes later, this is what I found...

So, now, I have to ensure she is safe and secure if I need to pee, or make a coffee or get something to eat!
She is very close to crawling, very close!!!

We are all saying prayers for Bernadette and Duane's twins born a little bit early.  They are in great hands at the Delhi New Born centre, and now all we can do is pray and wait.

A few more Little Rosebuds!