So 2014 has arrived, and with it, many wonderful changes! For starters, I gave birth to the double rainbows unexpectedly on Christmas Day. Santa still came here at the Gilbert household, but mama had to miss the day and go under the knife! When it was all said and done, two beautiful and perfect babies entered the world and were delivered Christmas morning, straight into the arms of their excited parents! Lots of things didn't play out as we had imagined, but it was truly a lesson in letting go, and trusting that the universe would provide. And provide it did! I wasn't able to see my doctor for the c-section, but I absolutely loved the doctor that provided my care. I felt supported and cared for. My anesthesiologist was a little buzzing bee of caring in my ear when I needed it. The nurses and staff throughout my hospital stay were totally amazing...like sitting on my bed chatting with me for hours amazing. Not to mention the double rainbows' parents----I felt like I was part of a team. I couldn't have asked for more amazing people to work alongside with. It was an incredible experience.
Now I can touch my toes! And I can walk up the stairs without feeling like I've just run a marathon. And I'm already over 20 pounds lighter! I feel better and better every day. There were a couple of hurdles to overcome post-delivery (a couple of infections, etc) but every day that passes brings with it renewed energy. The c-section was way easier to recover from than I had originally thought. I'm looking forward to healing even more, juicing, green eating, and getting back into shape when the spring rolls around. For now, I'm OK with lounging around, doing the best I can, pumping, and eating brownies.
The recent snowstorm has gifted me with some extra days with the kids, and some extra time to recover and stay close to home. I feel like it was divine intervention. I'm looking forward to Monday, when we can all get back into a routine. There are only so many puzzles, cups of tea, and rolls of cookie dough you can bake up before everyone needs a break from each other ;) I'm enjoying the rhythm of pumping for the babies...every three hours, nature is nudging me to sit down and take a load off, and create some liquid gold. It's forcing me to really be conscious of my self care----nutrition, hydration, and supplements! It's all about making sure I have enough for myself, for two additional babies, and enough left over to take care of my own three children! That's a huge self-care lesson right there. I'm sure it will be a work-in-progress with many bumps in the road, but I'm working on it. I've got lots of awesome team members holding me up and making sure I stay on track.
Thank you to everyone who supported me through my surrogacy journey. Who listened when I needed to debrief. Who dropped off food, who watched my kids, who drove them to school, who texted, who called, who checked in, who sent gifts, who showered me with love and affection. Who believed in me. I couldn't have journeyed through this last year and a half without the support of all the wonderful people in my life. And while my journey in some ways is ending, I have learned so much about myself that I feel like in a lot of ways, it is just begining. How fitting that it is a new year. There is so much possibility. Thank you...thank you...thank you. xo
