What a week...

What an awesome spring break!!! We had our intended parents come and stay with us for a full week, and it was so surreal to finally be together in person. We are so happy and lucky to have such a great family to be matched with and going through this journey together. Here is a little scoop on what we did all week...

They arrived on Sunday evening but had a long 11 hour flight, so came to our house Monday morning, where we got to meet for the first time in person! We tracked their flight all day, and it felt like Christmas morning tracking Santa. I had a hard time going to sleep and was wide awake at 5:30 am. ☺️

Day 1: They came to our house to unload, and then we headed to a baby appointment where they got to see their little guy on the ultrasound for the first time in person. We had a pretty relaxing first day, enjoyed coffee, ice cream, and downtown Sims park! We made them a steak and shrimp dinner with some beer cheese, and veggies and enjoyed being all together!

Day 2: The weather wasn’t great so we made the best of it and went to the Florida Aquarium and had a wonderful lunch at the Columbia Restaurant! Parents got to go and do some shopping and then made us a delicious, typical Swiss dinner!

Day 3: We took the family to Green Key beach to play in the sand, went to a doctor's appointment for an autonomy scan, enjoyed the pool and a riverboat ride to Whiskey Joes. It was a beautiful day! Dr. said Baby Swiss is measuring 2 days ahead of the due date and baby is perfect! We got to see all his organs, watch him move around, and even saw him in 4d! 

Day 4: Today, the baby’s grandparents got to come to Florida for the first time and spend a few days as well! We went back to the beach and had some beach maternity photos taken together as a family! It was so fun and incredible! Glad we can capture all the great memories of this journey! We walked the sponge docks and had a fabulous Greek dinner with key lime pie for dessert!

Day 5: The men; Blaise, Bryce, and baby Swiss dad and grandpa got to go out on the boat for some fishing while the ladies; myself, Emma, and some of my best girls friends and biggest supporters threw a baby shower for baby Swiss Mum and Mémé!!! Today, was truly perfect! I’m so glad we did this for her; as showers are not something they do in Switzerland! After the shower, we went and did some baby shopping and celebrated with American fondue at the Melting Pot!

Day 6: Today, started with a tour of the Hospital. Having my kids at Helen Ellis and learning that their unit was now closed, I’ve been a little nervous about delivering at Spring Hill, but we had a great tour and I’m feeling really good and comfortable now! The facility has been completely remodeled and I like that it is separated from the actual hospital. The unit is very homey, and the delivery rooms are HUGE! The nurse said we would at least have 1 room and would be in that same room during our entire stay! If they are busy when the baby is ready to come then the parents will stay in the room with me! The nurse was very reassuring and said they would work things out with us since it was a special case! We took the family to Hudson beach and enjoyed lunch at Sam’s Beach Bar and then let the family have some time to themselves at another beach while we prepared an “All American Cookout”

Day 7: It’s a bittersweet day! Our last day together until the little guy is ready to come this summer! I’m sad to see the family go but know it won’t be long now before we are all together again for such a special day ahead! We spent the morning at Starkey Park and then enjoyed some ice cream at Dairy Queen before saying our “See You Soon's”.

What an incredible week, and to top it all off, I was told I’d be the baby’s godmother, and an official name was decided for baby Swiss, but I’m going to keep that a secret until the birth! I will say I’m so honored, and it has really made me one super happy surrogate mama!!

I have already shared that this experience is life-changing, and I’m continuously blown away. This week exceeded all expectations...From strangers to family! I cannot wait for the many more special memories we will all make together and watching this wonderful couple grow as a family of 4!

19 week - HE'S PERFECT!

Sim's Park & Downtown

Rainy Day Fun 

       LOTS of LOVE 
Fun at the Beach

Playtime by the River                                              Gator Tail & Fried Pickles

Two Cool Gangsters 
Strangers to Family 

Baby Shower for Mum & Mémé


Fishing day for the Dad & Grandpa! 

All American Cookout


Last Day in the Wild 

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