OREA ZOI

ONE YEAR OLD !

2011-06-07T13:46:00.000+10:00

Wow where did this year go ?

I cant believe the year has gone past so quickly

this time last year was the hardest time of my life

in total contrast to now

my two beautiful children have blessed me in so many ways

I cant even think of life without them

We had a little BIG FAT GREEK BIRTHDAY party

With immediate family, the godparents of Eros & Elektra and a few close friends.

Plenty of feasting then followed with Adriano Zumbas signature Chocolate V8 birthday cake, macaroons and others creations of his.

PS: happy birthday to Toby and Landon

may your life be full of much love and joy

Eros

2011-05-12T13:10:00.000+10:00

what do i do for their first birthday? lol

My Beautiful Elektra

2011-04-27T11:37:00.002+10:00

HAPPY EASTER !

2011-04-23T11:11:00.000+10:00

First Big Fat Greek Wedding

2011-04-10T20:29:00.000+10:00

My Cousins daughters wedding

all dressed up

Elektra & Eros stole the show

Elektra & Me

Brother inlaw Eros & my nephew

My niece & Elektra

my sister & Elektra

my sister & Eros

TEN MONTHS TODAY

2011-04-05T13:09:00.002+10:00

ten months today and all is good
both Eros & Elektra are very mobile
time to baby proof the house lol
Eros & Elektra

Elektra

Eros

Eors loves sunglasses ohh and he calls me Baba ( dad in greek )

9 Months old

2011-03-10T13:50:00.001+11:00

They both are getting very mobile, Eros still the typical chilled out boy
and Elektra the busy "i want to go places NOW" girl.
Eros is 2 kg heavyer than elektra, the girl does not stop lol
He is also 5cm taller.

They are both on solids and doing well, Eros will eat mashed cardboard if it was served to him lol
Electra is a little more fussy.

Nights are usually great they sleep from 7:30pm till 6am

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-01-02T21:01:00.000+11:00

MAY ALL YOU DREAM BECOME A REALITY

with much love

Elektra, Eros & G

Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year

2010-12-21T15:22:00.000+11:00

To all who forget, have forgotten, to those that care or care less,

to those that love & loved or love less.Hope 2011 brings us closer,

fills you with joy, covers you in peace & consumes you with love.....

your future starts

HERE!

DREAM IT! THEN LIVE IT!

filakia pola G xxxx

Christmas 2010

2010-12-16T11:51:00.001+11:00

Well its been a while

Eros and Elektra are a little over 6 months old now and doing great

The pediatrician is amazed at the progress.

Elektra has learnt to roll ROLL ! lol

Like a log to wherever she wants to go, its hysterical watching her.

Eros sleeping

Eros

Elektra

Elektra sleeping

Eros is still the totally chilled out little man.

They have become quite the celebrities wherever we go,

a trip to the supermarket has become an event, everyone wants to have a look and i must say im totally over all the questions.

Anyway, may you all have a wonderful Christmas and a great new year

Lazy Sunday

2010-10-17T15:35:00.000+11:00

Eros & Elektra

2010-10-12T13:37:00.000+11:00

diapers, diapers, puke, scream, cry, sleep, grow, smile, laugh, giggle, bath, splash,

and for me

sleepless nights lol

ELEKTRA & EROS

ELEKTRA

EROS

FATHERS DAY

2010-09-07T14:15:00.000+10:00

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE DADS AND DADS TO BE !

well what a few weeks it has been

ELEKTRA

EROS

Its been a while since posts but having 2 little ones is quite a handful,

Elektra just loves throwing up all over me and is quite the vocal one, if she is not sleeping she is screaming screaming for a feed, screaming for a diaper change and screaming even more because she does not like them changed.

Eros is the chilled out one and has learnt to cover his ears when his sister SCREAMS! lol

Eros also had to have a hernia operation and is doing well now

Eros has overtaken Elektra in growth due to Elektra throwing up all the time and also burning up calories due to her burst of vocal chaos, im sure the whole suburb knows of her lol

THEY ARE MINE !

2010-08-06T14:59:00.000+10:00

DNA REPORT

EROS : 99.9991% me!

ELEKTRA : 99.999% me !

now to get these passports

and visa out of here and back home

DISCHARGED ! YAYYYYYY !!!

2010-07-26T21:38:00.001+10:00

Elektra & Eros were discharged from NICU at 9:30 am 26th July

We went straight to get DNA tested poor little bubs

Someone tell that Doctor its meant to be a heel prick not a thumb prick

the pain they must have felt when she squeezed those little fingers :(

i felt like crying lol

Damn cute !

ELEKTRA

EROS

THE NICU TEAM

These nurses were on to everything, didn't miss a beat,

They were so cute taking pics of each other holding my children,

And behind them the proud Dr Gupta.

Without these amazing people Eros & Elektra may not be here now

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH

LOOK! No tubes and yes we have lips

2010-07-25T02:18:00.000+10:00

ELEKTRA

having a big yawn

HICCUPS

EROS

How big are those eyes

Who is this man looking at me ?

Step by Step

2010-07-24T12:36:00.003+10:00

Thanks everyone for your warm thoughts and support,

Im going a little nuts pacing my room at the Lotus wishing time would speed up lol and then slow down again when the 3 of us get home lol

Eros & Elektra now have Birth Certificates,

Met with the lawyer to get all that side in order,

Going to get pics of Eros and Elektra today for DNA reports & passports

(how do you get a baby to keep there eyes open? lol)

DNA tests 11 am monday, had to organize an ambulance to transport them to the Dr's practice

A big

THANK YOU

to Shilpi for all her patience and support

you are wonderful

thanks again everyone

All Clear To GO !

2010-07-23T00:57:00.000+10:00

Eros & Elektra got the all clear to leave the NICU

HOORAY !

Eros in his favorite sleep position

Elektra having a bit of a scream lol

TAKE ME HOME !

2010-07-21T23:46:00.000+10:00

EROS

ELEKTRA

Home is calling !

2010-07-21T14:33:00.004+10:00

Im back in Delhi,

and starting the process of getting Eros & Elektra back home.

I hope and pray i don't have any major obstacles in my path.

Meeting with Dr Shivani today and getting E&E's birth certificates organized,

and see if i can get a panel Doctor to do the DNA test at the NICU unit

rather than carting the little-ones all over the place.

also i hope to go with Shilpi today to see my little children,

DAMN I CANT WAIT TO SEE THEM & HOLD THEM

it feels like an eternity .

I just want to put the key onto the lock and those huge gates open up with ease welcoming my beautiful son and daughter into my arms and back home.

Thank you to all my dear friends all over the world

who have had my son and daughter in prayer and thoughts, i love love love you all heaps!

Just dont stop yet lol

PLEASE ! :)

Delhi India please! and make it fast!

2010-07-16T12:26:00.009+10:00

Delhi India please!

I want to see my Children Eros & Elektra

"Cabin Crew, please prepare for departure."

"Cabin Crew, doors on automatic, cross-check and report. Thank you."

"Cabin Crew, prepare for take-off please."

"Cabin crew, please take your seats for take-off."

just a few days before i hear this and on my way!

YAY!

Good morning Ladies & Gentlemen i would like to take this opportunity to thank you for traveling thus far with Orea Zoi,

I would like to thank everyone all over the world for your

loyal support, prayers, kind words & thoughts

that has made the journey so far just that little bit easier .

you have all been wonderfully amazing !

Also a big thanks to Dr Shivani, Shilpi, Dolly, & the rest of the team of Doctors & nurses.

THANK YOU!

Please also keep in your thoughts and Prayers

little B son of S&P

P&R & their surrogate and the little ones she is carrying

they know who they are :)

And also everyone else who has chosen this path of becoming parents,

Also all the other little bubs born and about to be born.

Thank you to

The 100s who have messaged me on this blog and privately,

so so many to list

To Amani, Bob +little Toby,

Mooky + little Landon,

CC and her journey,as well as all the others walking the same path.

My thoughts + prays are with you all

weight gain

2010-07-11T09:20:00.006+10:00

10th july 2010

EROS

Weight:1kg 75 grams, a gain of 55 grams in 1 day

ELEKTRA

Weight: 1kg 80 grams, a gain of 40 grams in 1 day

A thank you to P. for the pics and support

My prayers and thoughts are with your little boy sharing NICU

with Eros & Elektra

More pics from the Wonderful Shilpi

2010-07-09T18:33:00.004+10:00

ELEKTRA

weight 1 kg 40 grams a gain of 120 grams in 1 week

EROS

weight 1 kg 20 grams, a gain of 130 grams in 1 week

4 weeks 6 days

2010-07-09T11:55:00.004+10:00

ELEKTRA

EROS

Thanks to S&P for taking these pics of Eros & Elektra

S&P have a little boy in the same NICU as Eros & Elektra

please keep him in your thoughts and prays

I cant believe they are the same babies

they have changed so much in just a few days

and put on heaps of weight

i had to confirm they were mine lol

What a difference 2 weeks make !

2010-07-07T22:18:00.006+10:00

Eros & Elektra

4 weeks 4 days old

Elektra

Eros

My how they have filled out putting on weight

I just cant wait to get them in my arms again

Thanks so much Dr Shivani, Shilpi & everyone else looking after them

And the multitude of people that has kept them in prayrs and thoughts

all over the world!

You are all so wonderful

Love - Peace + Joy

to you all.

One Month Old Today!

2010-07-05T22:52:00.004+10:00

News from the wonderful Shilpi is

Both are tolerating their feed.

They are maintaining body temperature.

They have no Apnea / Bradycardia Episodes. No other abnormality has seen till today.

Eros: weight-890 grams, HC- 26 CM, LENGTH:36 cm.

Elektra: weight-920 grams, HC-26 CM, LENGTH:36 cm.

They had both dropped in weight after birth to around 760 grams each

so they are progressing well

Typically Elektra being a girl is doing better

Now all they need is to get the Suck, Swallow Breath reflex happening.

Thanks to the team looking after my children,

also Shilpi, Dr Shivani & Dolly

Progress update

2010-06-30T12:34:00.004+10:00

Shilpi emailed me with the latest update of Eros & Elektra

Elektra is gaining faster then Eros. Eros is also gaining but not like Elektra

Both are tolerating their feed.

They are maintaining body temperature.

They have no Apenea / Bradycardia Episodes

They seem to have met all milestones except for the suckling reflex that should be met sometime in the coming week or so

I just cant wait to be re united with my children and ultimately bring them home

Thanks again to Dr Shivani, Shilpi & Dolly,

and also the amazing team looking after them

Torn

2010-06-24T10:51:00.002+10:00

Im sitting here waiting for my flight to board and all i can think of is Eros & Elektra left behind,

This visit has been so bitter sweet, surreal a blur.

Im so grateful for the amazing support ive had from Dr Shivani, Shilpi, Dolly & the amazing team that has given me the gift of fatherhood, i am a parent, father, my life now belongs to Eros & Elektra.

A Huge thank you to all the people all over this world that has been my support from the start, it humbles me to think that so many people in so many countries have my children in their prays and thoughts, You all will be with me all my life.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Some say it takes good parents to bring up children, others say a village,

I know i don't only have a village i have a multitude of people in many cities, villages, countries all over the world.

THANK YOU!

MAY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR DREAMS BECOME A REALITY

G x

Video Of Eros & Elektra

2010-06-23T21:58:00.003+10:00

ELEKTRA

EROS

MY HEART & SOUL IN ONE COUNTRY, MY BODY IN ANOTHER

2010-06-23T00:55:00.000+10:00

My children are in the only level 5 NICU unit in north india due to them being so premature, this unit does nothing else but care for preemie babies, no birthing no nothing else but the highest level of care for these pre term babies.

The unit is very busy and small so time spent is minimal, i got to hold them for a few minutes, it is too risky to handle them too much as the babies immune system is low.

All i can really do is look at them, and saying that im only in the way of the doctors and nurses doing what they have to do.

There is nothing else i can do at this stage and it will be like that for another few months.

After a discussion with the doctors it is considered best i go back home and put all my faith and trust in the doctors to do what is best for Eros & Elektra.

This saddens me greatly but they are in good hands, and me being stuck in an apartment for the next few months with limited contact will drive me crazy.

Being so helpless, what i have mentioned above and the unit being so far away from anything its unrealistic i can be with them for more than a few minutes at a time every few days.

Not all babies will need this kind of care, each baby will have different requirements and level of care, some may spend a few days in NICU others weeks, it all depends on how early they come and what care they need.

Eros & Elektra were born the same time but required different levels of care and treatment, they are progressing amazingly well considering they were born at 29 weeks.

Dr Shivani's team of Doctors and staff are wonderful, Shilpi and Dolly have been amazing.

I cant wait for this time to pass and have my beautiful Son & Daughter home with me.

Till then i have utmost trust in the amazing people that are looking after them.

My heart and soul will be separated from my body in two different countries 1000s of kilometers apart.

THE BIG MEETING

2010-06-22T01:58:00.002+10:00

Elektra cried when i walked into the room

She opened her eyes and looked straight at me

she has the darkest eyes

Eros was so relaxed

He held my finger but kept his eyes closed

just stretched up his legs and then crossed them

They have a long way to go but doing well

They will be in NICU for about another 12 weeks

Elektra

Eros how cute is that foot

Elektra crying as i hold her cradled in a nappy

Eros he is long and lanky

Eros totally chilled like his dad ( well usually )

Elektra opening her eyes

Elektra wearing a preemie nappy as she lay in a standard nappy

Eros holding onto my finger

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers

Finally we have takeoff !

2010-06-18T13:03:00.000+10:00

Baby wipes Check!

Baby clothes Check!

Wraps Check!

Formula Check!

Paper work kinda Check!

Accommodation Check!

Flights at %#@$*$ last Check!

Airport transfer Check!

Sanity ..... Pass!

Land in Delhi monday

bolt to the hospital my feet never touching the ground

i want to feel my children in my arms!

And get them back home as soon as possible!

No More C-pap

2010-06-13T00:14:00.001+10:00

Eros & Elektra are off the C-pap ! YaY!

Elektra is under an oxygen hood but doing well

They are both still fed via tube

still yet to master the suckling reflex

Its amazing how quick they are responding

A HUGE THANK YOU TO

Dr Shivani and all the wonderful staff looking after my son & daughter

And everyone all over the world for their prayers,good thoughts & wishes

G x

My Little Girl

2010-06-10T19:09:00.000+10:00

Good News !

Elektra

Had her blood transfusion

Is now off

the

VENTILATOR

And on C-pap

My Daughter is

breathing on her own !

thanks everyone all over the world

for your positive thoughts and prayers

UPDATE

2010-06-08T21:24:00.005+10:00

The latest update is:

Eros is off the vetillator and on something called C pap -- which means that he is breathing on his own,

and also given some liquids by mouth

Elektra is going to need blood tranfusion today so one of Dr Shivani's staff will be going to donate blood and is till on the ventilator ( truly amazing of her)

Elektra is on feeding by intravenous fluids -- not strong enough for oral feeds

Dr Shivani's words:

They are really in the best of care that can be provided to preterm newborns -- and are being looked at by consultants round the clock, not just junior resident doctors -- which is the speciality of DNC and also one to one nursing with very experienced nurses with the latest of techniques

So many people here are praying for them including my entire family and the staff of SCI.

.....................

i cant thank Dr Shivani and her team enough

my wonderful surrogate was upset that she couldn't carry to full term,

she is is well and will be discharged tomorrow

thanks so much for everyone here on this forum for there support

and also the wonderful Dr Shivani and her great staff

EROS & ELEKTRA

2010-06-08T09:35:00.000+10:00

Here are the only pics i have of Eros and Elektra

Eros born 800 grams

Elektra born 840 grams

they are stable at the moment

i hope and pray they thrive real fast

Im waiting for my visa to come so i can get over to see them

feel so helpless here half way round the world

EROS

ELEKTRA

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers

NEWS FLASH !

2010-06-06T09:58:00.001+10:00

EROS

ELEKTRA

Born 10:02 & 10:03 pm

5th June

more details to come

POO IN BLUE !

2010-05-26T18:06:00.000+10:00

THIRD TRIMESTER

2010-05-12T19:27:00.000+10:00

Ten weeks to go !

Babies are doing well

My surrogate is on permanent bed rest in hospital

due to placenta pervia and all its associated

complications

I feel so bad for her and what she is going through

Im forever grateful for what she has done for me

And will forever be in my thoughts

lets hope all is ok for the next ten weeks.

The babies look like they will be born at 36 weeks

if they and my surrogate can hold out that long.

they are on the small side so they just might.

my surrogate will be given steroid injections to strengthen the babies lungs

what a roller coaster

full of mixed emotions

Im also forever grateful to Dr Shivani's constant support and care.

THANK YOU!

BABY FIRST PIC OUTFITS

2010-05-11T22:26:00.001+10:00

NOW WHICH ONE TO CHOSE

JUST FOR FUN

2010-05-04T13:38:00.000+10:00

SIX MONTHS PREGNANT

2010-04-28T12:31:00.002+10:00

SIX MONTHS TODAY!

well its been a few weeks since posts

and a few scares along the way

all is going ok now

i hope!

my surrogate was on bed rest for a few weeks with bleeding due to a low lying placenta

and now has her own appointed carer with her at home

hope all goes well.

TWIN 1

weight 483 grams

aprox gestational age 22 weeks 6 days

TWIN 2

weight 463 grams

aprox gestational age 21 weeks 4 days

both about 1 or so weeks behind

but normal for twins

and well

im not the biggest guy lol

EASTER COLORS

2010-04-04T10:57:00.001+10:00

HAPPY EASTER

2010-04-01T14:20:00.000+11:00

joyeuses Pâques

frohe Ostern

Καλό Πάσχα

חג פסחא שמח

īsṭar maṅgalamay ho

buona Pasqua

イースターおめでとう

L-Għid it-tajjeb

god påske

عيد پاک مبارک

īsṭar khuśyāṅvālā hove

felices Pascuas

glad Påsk

فِصْح سعيد

WEEK 19 PICS

2010-03-27T22:26:00.000+11:00

HALF WAY

2010-03-22T22:43:00.000+11:00

SHOULD YOU HAVE KIDS?

2010-03-18T20:20:00.002+11:00

The Greatest Love of All

2010-03-16T18:15:00.001+11:00

I just love this song

The Greatest Love of All
I believe the children are our are future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

WHITE WHITE & more WHITE

2010-03-08T19:47:00.000+11:00

WHITE

pure, clean & innocent

4 x White self striped Egyptian cotton cot sheet sets

4 x White waffle weave cotton blankets

6 x White cotton muslin wraps

6 x White cotton flannel wraps

4 x White mattress protectors

15 x White cotton bibs

GAWD!

I never thought shopping for white could be so hard

And its just the beginning

I have still to decide on furniture.

Obviously

TO BE CONTINUED

SIXTEEN SWEET WEEKS !

2010-03-03T14:44:00.001+11:00

GAWD

ITS GOING SO

FAST !

DAMN ITS TIGHT IN HERE!

16 WEEKS

Normal active and passive movements are seen.

The liquor is adequate.

Two placentas are seen along posterior wall,

the tip of the presenting fetus is close to internal os, grade O

Both variable presentation,

Nasal bone seen,

Fetal head shows normal ventricular system.

Posterior fossa is normal,

Fetal spine, limbs, cord insertion, UB

& stomach bubble show no obvious abnormality.

Cervical lenth is 32 mm, internal os is closed & cervical canal not dilated

at time of scan.

TWIN 1

Approx. gestational age is 15 weeks 5 days

Nuchal fold: 2.1 mm

Weight: 125 grams +- 12%

TWIN 2

Approx. gestational age is 15 weeks 4 days

Nuchal fold: 2.1 mm

Weight: 136 grams +- 12%

Scan date :02 03 2010

15 weeks 6 days

MY NEW TOY !

2010-03-01T16:16:00.002+11:00

Went Shopping for baby stuff today with my mother and sister

and came home with this

Thanks Mum !

for this great gift

BROWN EYES, BLUE EYES, GREEN?

2010-02-27T17:55:00.002+11:00

If two parents both have brown eyes, it would make sense that their children would also have brown eyes. This isn’t always the case. Eye color is determined by genes. While it is most likely that children born to two brown-eyed parents will also be brown-eyed, the children may end up with blue, green, or hazel eyes.
Genes are subunits of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. All of a person’s physical traits are controlled by genes. These genes are handed down from a mother and father when a child is conceived. The genes handed down originally came from the newly conceived child’s grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. It is possible, although unlikely, that a child may be born with his or her great grandmother’s green eyes, even if no one else in the immediate family has them.
Although the science behind eye color is very technical, it can be simplified into the idea that each person has two eye color genes provided by their parents. In a male, this would be represented as BG, representing the potential for brown and green eyes. In a female it would be BBl, brown and blue. Between a set of parents, a child could have blue, green, brown, or some combination, such as hazel. Each parent will randomly send one of these genes with either the sperm or egg used to create the fetus.
Some eye color genes are more dominant than others. If a child has brown and blue eye color genes, it is highly likely that the child will have brown eyes. This is because brown eye genes are dominant over blue eye genes. Dominant and recessive genes also determine characteristics such as vision, hair color, dimples, finger and toe length, and some health conditions. Dominant genes usually become the visible characteristic.
To make things more difficult, there are actually several genes that contribute to eye color. Each of these genes controls an aspect of eye color, such as how dark the eye color is. This makes it even more difficult to determine eye color. A child born with blue eyes could have very light blue eyes, dark blue eyes, or any shade of blue in between.
The majority of infants are born with blue eyes. After a few months, and up to a couple years in some cases, the eyes of most of these infants will change to the color that the eyes will be in adulthood. It is very possible that the parents will not know the true eye color of their child until that child is a year or two old. In the case of two brown-eyed parents, though, it is most likely that the child will have brown eyes. If both parents have the same eye color, their children will probably have the same color. If the parents have different eye colors, the child will probably have the dominant eye color. It is still possible, though for the child to end up with the recessive eye color, or even a different color altogether if there is a history of that color in the family.

FOURTEEN WEEK SCANS

2010-02-21T18:24:00.001+11:00

14 WEEK SCANS

Normal active & passive movements are seen.

The liquor is excessive ( common in twins )

Two placentas seen along anterior & posterior wall.

The placenta of the presenting twin is low lying

with its tip close to internal os, grade O

Cervical length is 32 mm.

Internal os is closed and cervical canal not dilated.

Nasal bone seen

The fetal head shows normal ventricular system.

The posterior fossa is normal.

The fetal spine, limbs, cord insertion, 3 vessel cord,

UB, stomach bubble show no obvious abnormality.

TWIN 1

Approximate gestational age is 14 weeks and 2 days

BPD: 25 mm (14 weeks 2 days)

HC: 95 mm (14 weeks 3 days)

Nuchal lucency 1.8 mm

TWIN 2

Approximate gestational age is 14 weeks 3 days

BPD: 26 mm (14 weeks 3 days)

HC: 95 mm (14 weeks 3 days)

Nuchal lucency 1.5 mm

Scans not very clear

but can understand its getting a little squashy in there

lol

2239.2 HOURS-93.3 DAYS-13.3 WEEKS-1/3 IN-2ND TRIMESTER

2010-02-13T11:11:00.003+11:00

OFFICIALLY
IM IN THE SECOND TRIMESTER

YAYYYYYY !

12 WEEKS & 3 DAYS

2010-02-07T19:31:00.000+11:00

Here we are both twins measuring 12 weeks & 3 days

Both have active and passive movements,

liquor is adequate,

Nasal bone seen in both,

Fetal head, fetal spine, limbs, cord insertion, UB, stomach bubble

show no obvious abnormality.

Ductus venosus shows normal flows.

Two placentas seen along posterior & left anterolateral wall.

The placenta of presenting twin is 18 mm from internal os, grade O

( hopefully it will move as the uterus grows )

Still trying to work out what is meant by "the presenting twin"

and what is a grade O placenta.

TWIN 1

BPD: 1.71mm (12 weeks 4 days)

HC: 61mm (12 weeks 2 days)

Nuchal lucency: 1.2mm

TWIN 2

BPD: 1.65mm (12 weeks 3 days)

HC: 6.1mm (12 weeks 2 days)

Nuchal lucency: 1.4mm

1 week till the start of the 2nd trimester

i cant believe this is really happening !

WOW!

If Dr S was here id give her the biggest HUG!

THE MIRACLE OF LIFE

2010-02-04T19:44:00.001+11:00

10 WEEK ULTRASOUND REPORT

2010-01-23T18:44:00.000+11:00

Well here we are at Ten weeks

Twin 1

H R: 129 Bpm

CRL: 27 mm corresponds to 9 weeks 4 days

Twin 2

HR: 138 Bpm

CRL: 29 mm corresponds to 9 weeks 6 days

And here they are together :)

It seems they have fallen back a few days

and heart rate a little slower

but that may be due to activity and time of day

i hope all continues well

i want to start shopping lol

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD SEEN IT ALL

2010-01-21T14:34:00.003+11:00

BABY WIGS

thank god my background is Greek,

and that combined with Indian

I wont be needing these lol

BABY TOUPEE

9 WEEKS AND NERVOUS

2010-01-12T23:38:00.000+11:00

8 WEEKS & ALL IS WELL

2010-01-08T18:39:00.003+11:00

8 weeks and all is well with the twins

TWIN 1

HR: 132 Bpm

CRL: 16 mm, corresponds to 8 weeks

TWIN 2

HR: 147 Bpm

CRL: 14 mm, corresponds to 7 weeks 5 days

I pray it continues to go well

these constant 2 week waits are so frustrating lol

Apart from severe morning sickness the surrogate is well.

Thanks Dr Shivani

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

2009-12-31T01:27:00.000+11:00

Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come

And may it come knocking at your door

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL

May 2010

be filled with

life - joy + diapers

G x

THE TWINS STATS

2009-12-28T12:19:00.003+11:00

Aisha is well and doing a great job looking after herself and taking meds on time,

Although she has been severely nauseated

She has been given anti emetics and will know how she is coping this week,

She will be assessed for the admission and intravenous meds

Next scan is in 2 weeks

Twin 1: heart rate 126 Bpm

CRL 3mm corresponding to 6 weeks

Twin 2: heart rate 132 Bpm

CRL 2mm corresponding to 5 weeks 5 days

"SURPRISE SURPRISE !"

2009-12-26T08:48:00.001+11:00

Christmas day i woke up early

had to write a few cards, make sure a dessert i prepared was ok,

and wrap a few presents

Drove to my parents house for christmas lunch

And had a wonderful day with the family

I came back home about 5pm and sat on the couch with my laptop,

Pressed the start button,

I needed to send a few emails to international friends.

Next thing i know i was woken up at 7.30 pm by the door bell

I totally crashed out

no emails were sent

i didn't even recall seeing the screen start up

At the door was my neighbor asking if i had any news,

After a little chat and no real news to tell I came back into the house

to the sound of my mobile notifying me of yet another SMS

thought to myself another generic Christmas greeting lol.

i retrieved the message

A note from Dr Shivani

"SURPRISE!"

TWINS!

TWO HEARTBEATS

TOTAL SHOCK

I called Dr Shivani

laughing & wanting to cry as i asked a few questions

she laughed with me

SURREAL

What a Christmas present.

It has been the best christmas of my life

full of

STRESS

ANXIETY

and ultimate

JOY

i am the happiest man in the world !

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-24T19:28:00.004+11:00

wishing all a wonderful christmas

and may your dreams become reality

love-peace+joy
G

THE STATS !

2009-12-18T19:11:00.001+11:00

well defined gestational sac, the yoke sac and embryo are not seen at present.

Decidual reaction is adequate.

The sac measures 5mm which corresponds to 4 weeks & 3 days

interpretation please anyone ?

im lost lol

i pray i get a heartbeat

"PHEEEWWWWW"

2009-12-17T20:32:00.002+11:00

Yet another hurdle cleared !

Dr Shivani just called to advise me that

1 fetal sac was detected

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Christmas Day will either be my life's BEST!....or...
well lets not go there

Dr Shivani will perform a Fetal Doppler test to detect a heartbeat
in 1 week
and results ill get
CHRISTMAS DAY !
gawd!

please please please let it go full term

"RING RING" "RING RING"

2009-12-10T22:46:00.001+11:00

Just got a call from Dr Shivani

Congratulations Pregnancy confirmed !

First Beta count of 291.40

next scan in 1 week

im jumping for joy!

Pee Pee Teepee

2009-12-02T13:46:00.006+11:00

Changing baby is not all glitz and glory

Changing a baby boy is another horror story!

You hold his feet with one hand

and the diaper with the other

The whole time praying

Please don't pee on your father!

http://www.bebabean.com/product/pptp/clown-hat-blue.aspx

2nd FET attempt

2009-11-29T10:20:00.008+11:00

The embryo transfer was done last night 28th Nov 09

I had 12 embryos frozen at 4 cell stage

6 embryos were thawed & remaining 6 remain in storage

Of these, 5 survived the thaw which is an excellent survival rate

4 of good quality grade I to II and all 4 cell were transferred

The transfer was straight forward with no complications

The Endometrial thickness was 11.5 mm which is excellent

Pregnancy test on the 9th Dec 09

YES ! THE DREADED 2 WEEK WAIT

i hope it all works well this time and progresses well with no complications

thanks Dr Shivani

we have a date with a laser !

2009-11-20T17:45:00.003+11:00

embryo transfer will happen Monday 23rd November 09

and will be assisted by laser hatching

Assisted hatching is a technique which is used in IVF. It involves thinning the coat surrounding a fertilized egg or making a hole in it. This may improve the chances of the embryo getting implanted into the uterus.

The most commonly used assisted hatching method is laser assisted hatching. In this method small holes are made in the zona using a micromanipulator.

then the dreaded 2 week wait

Riding a roller-coaster

2009-11-16T15:17:00.003+11:00

As most know my first fresh egg transfer turned out to be a negative,

2nd FET

my surrogate Anu started a long down regulation protocol,

She has unfortunately developed an ovarian cyst on the down regulation meds (about one in 4 women will develop a cyst)

Dr Shivani suggested we try a new surrogate ( Seema) who ive been told would win an endometrial lining contest if there was one,

and thats what we need

New contracts etc etc

NOW

Seema

Is ready for her FET embryo transfer this week, her lining is 10 mm and trilaminar in appearance which is good-- it will be done around the 20th Nov 09

12 embryos frozen that need to thaw

also

Plan to use laser assisted embryo hatching

I feel like ive been on the ride above for the past few weeks

About to take it for a ride again just after a HUGE lunch

Im sure others who have gone before me or who are in the process now can relate

im not sure how i feel

excitedly happy

anxiously thrilled

nervous

Im glad knowing its all in good hands

thanks Dr Shivani

now please someone hand me a paper bag lol

ZING Launch your lunch

2009-11-11T12:30:00.000+11:00

why didn't they have these when i was a kid?

2nd attempt with FET (frozen egg transfer)

2009-11-02T17:03:00.000+11:00

Just spoke to Dr Shivani

Anu (my surrogate) finally got her period and is now taking the long protocol treatment (whatever that means)

Dr Shivani said it was a better treatment and Anu was ok with the extra injections

Egg transfer later this month YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

i pray it works this time

G

Product of the week

2009-10-30T13:22:00.002+11:00

BRUSH BEAUTY

Gavin Coultrip

Get the kids to do the cleaning with this broom/hobby horse

made from poplar, birch plywood and coco

Adult size 140cm x 25cm. Child size 95cm x 25cm

I want the adult size for myself

Dr Shivani update

2009-10-29T13:52:00.003+11:00

Anu has not got her period yet, I will be seeing her Sunday (1/11/09) -- hopefully she will have got her period by then

If not then can always start an alternate surrogate mother, will let you know

Tentatively I have planned embryo transfer around 25th November 2009

i will call Dr Shivani after Anu has gone for her checkup and discuss the above and see what she advises

Just for fun

2009-10-29T01:03:00.002+11:00

Incredibox is a interactive website that allows users to mix their own beatboxes using the skilled sounds of The Incredible Polo. The website is fun and super simple to use. You just drag and drop the types of sounds on the the beatboxer's t-shirt to add to the mix. Click on any of the beatboxers to remove their sound. The end effect is really enjoyable to experience ...... just click on Just for fun link bellow the image.
Just for fun

It pays the bills

2009-10-28T13:24:00.003+11:00

It pays the bills

2009-10-28T12:58:00.007+11:00

Just a few pics of some of the work i do

For those that don't know me i am an interior architect/designer,

Also design lighting and furniture & dabble as photographer & stylist

Nervously waiting

2009-10-27T13:32:00.002+11:00

Yesterday i wired payment for my second attempt

Using a Frozen embryo transfer

12 Embryos were frozen and usually there is a drop during thawing

Lets hope i don't loose too many incase i need to try a 3rd attempt

Anu (my surrogate) is still awaiting her period so procedure may commence (any day now)

Had some good news regarding my friend Jason, a single fetal sack was detected CONGRATULATIONS!

And Meg's 15 eggs WOW! CONGRATS as well

India pics continued

2009-10-22T10:52:00.003+11:00

India pics

2009-10-21T11:58:00.001+11:00

An update from Dr Shivani

2009-10-20T20:27:00.001+11:00

Dear George

I cannot explain the unsuccessful attempt. However this is the problem with IVF and indeed even someone with perfect fertility trying naturally, it doesnt always click the first time round

Yes its good that you have frozen embryos so that we can move forward
Anu was also very sad, this meant a lot to her
I recommend trying with her again, she is quet sincere with treatment and her response was good in terms of the endometrial lining

It is disappointing to get an unsuccessful outcome but all I can tell you is that once you are successful its very easy to put all this behind you

So think positive!

Thank you for the stunning flowers, they were fresh for 10 days which is amazing!

I will inform you once she gets her period -- we will start on the second day of her cycle

Best wishes
Dr Shivani

yes a single want to be dad!

2009-10-20T16:01:00.002+11:00

Ok from the start without rambling on all the details

looked into adoption many years ago ... doors closed

looked into co parenting here in Australia ..... too many legal issues

looked into surrogacy in the US and Canada ...... to many legal issues & very expensive

Was put onto the surrogacy process in India about a year ago by a client of mine and the journey begun

Months and months of research, questions, educating myself, trawling the internet and discovered a wealth of information

Joined a few surrogacy forums some great some not so great

asked many questions, sent many a email internationally and just as many phone calls

got in touch with quite a few Hospitals, clinics, and a few medical tourism agencies

received contracts and info from most

a few months ago i settled with the services of Dr Shivani at Phoinix hospital in delhi

chose my egg donor (mother of 2)
29 year old who gave me 26 eggs 16 of which were A grade

Flew to india with a dear friend of mine Vicki and also another friend Jason doing the same

transfered 4 embryos into my 29 year old surrogate (mother of 2 widow)
a perfect text book procedure

THE DREDED 2 WEEK WAIT........................

sad to say my first attempt turned out to be a negative result

12 embryos left

now waiting on advice from Dr Shivani

i hope to try again in the next few weeks