It all started with a joke between me and my college friend...

"I want a child but I don't want to put my body through all that," she said.

"No," I replied. "I'd LOVE to be pregnant! It's the 18+ years of raising a child that scare me!"

"Ok, you can just be my surrogate then...."

Well, my dear friend went on to have 3 children of her own, and I am responsible for creating 4 of the brightest, funniest, most adorable, and precious little people on planet Earth.

But the idea of surrogacy stayed with me, especially since each of my pregnancies, labors, and deliveries went extremely well. You will read aaaaalllllll about it in future blogs! My sister is quoted as saying "You make having a baby look easy."

Believe me, it's not.

And although it seems my husband can look at me and BOOM! I'm pregnant. I don't take for granted that there are many people who struggle to conceive... and are longing to share the incredible bond between parent and child. A fact I must remind myself of when the house is a mess, the boys won't stop fighting, girls are talking back, or I have 5 people calling my name at once (yes, that number includes the biggest kid in the house, my husband...)

As I've begun to share my upcoming experience, reactions have been various forms of positive energy and encouragement. One person even called me "an amazing woman". Now that my family is complete and all my little ones are in school...while I'm still (fairly) young and in good health... I thought I would share the inexplicably endearing moments that come with being a mother which includes but not limited to dance parties and tickle fights, daily forgiveness and unlimited chances to get it right, an infinite supply of kisses, and experiencing a love like none other.

If I can be the vessel by which that happens, I consider myself not amazing, but extremely blessed.

#surrogacy #surromom #mommylife #kids #infertility #baby #parenthood #parenting