Understandably, you may be asking - "Why haven't they been blogging?" It's no surprise to me that I've delayed writing because I've known this will be my last post, closing the book on a long, emotional but very successful journey. Geoff and I knew when we began this blog that we wanted to limit ourselves to the details of our Indian surrogacy experience. We certainly had no intention of carrying on the blog beyond our child's birth. (All bets are off if there's another child in our future. If so, our supportive readers will be the first to know!)
Before sharing some closing thoughts and photos, I'd love to list just a few of Archer's latest and greatest achievements... Archer is now eight months old! He has two very cute bottom teeth that seem quite content to live without neighbors. Our tiny giant weighs 24.5 lbs. and is 29" long. He's rolling, sitting up on his own and just starting to test the waters for crawling. Archer is a cheerful, happy baby who hardly ever cries or makes much of a fuss. He eats well (boy does he eat!), sleeps well, wakes up smiling, is very alert and aware of his surroundings and has REALLY found his voice. (Our next door neighbors are quite impressed!) For some reason, as much as we tell him to be careful with strangers, he gives more gummy grins than one can imagine, luring in crowds of swooning women. Geoff figures that as a single guy he could have really used Archer well.
I am now a stay-at-home mom and there is not a day that goes by when I don't thank my lucky stars (and my husband) for it. Life with Archer is simply superb and it gets even better each day. When it comes to him, I am complete mush. I never knew I could love someone so much. He tugs on my heartstrings when he is upset and fills my heart with love and happiness the rest of the time. The bond I share with him is one I could not have dreamed of, one I will never forget and one I am eternally grateful for. I'm so, so happy that Geoff and I took a leap of faith together to go through this process. Without a doubt, Archer was worth the wait.
I recently spoke with a couple who is considering the surrogacy route and it was so surreal. Not too long ago, it was Geoff and I on the phone with others who successfully had babies through surrogacy in India and now, we are those parents telling people that dreams DO come true. Archer is everything I could have wanted and more. He is the love of my life (aside from Geoff) and I'm so incredibly thankful that options like surrogacy in India are available. We would love, Love, LOVE to have more children and although there are some bumps in this process, we recommend it to others researching surrogacy. My advice in a nutshell is to research the agencies that are available until you are blue in the face and then speak with others who have gone through the process. Not only are their experiences helpful but they (and now we) will inspire you and bring you hope.
With endless gratitude I'd like to thank Surrogacy India and all of the couples who shared their skills, experiences and insights. Archer would not exist were it not for the patience, honesty and devotion granted to us by all of these wonderful people. And if you're still trying to make this work, still trying to find your own distant miracle - keep your eye on the prize because all I know is that sometimes, with effort and perseverence, dreams do come true! xoxo PS, Keep an eye open for Geoff's final post(s).
Wow, what an amazing post. I've been seeing a lot of these farewell posts on the blogs I'm following. It feels a bit like losing a friend I've never met! -- but I'm so glad that Archer is everything you wished for and more, and that you would do it all over again if you had to. We have persevered and paid our dues, rolled our sleeves up and looked all the negatives and M/Cs in the eye and said "we're not giving up"...and so it's true what you said about keeping your eye on the prize (I think MIke and Mike told me that two years ago! -- lol). Anyway, Archer is just the most adorable little guy ever. You are so lucky -- but I know you know that. Take care and we'll miss you.
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