We did all that?!?!?!?! No wonder we're tired.

2/1/2010 10:35AM PST

Bottom photo of me (Mike) and our gestation surrogate Jessie, taken during transfer.

Top photo of one of the RE/IVF doctors, taken from the perspective of Jessie during embryo transfer.

Sitting in the Sacramento Airport. Looking back over all events which have happened so far. Even though we did our homework on what the Gestational Surrogacy/Egg Donor process would involve - I don't think we had any idea of exactly how much work it would be!For those IP's that are soon to begin a GS journey, or for those GS's that aren't familiar with the steps an Intended Parent must take, I hope this helps. Hope this gives those in the discernment period some insight into the steps to take to begin the GS/ED journey.

January 2009-August 2009: Researched Traditional and Gestational Surrogacy. Decide to move ahead.

August 2009 - October 2009: Email and talk with several potential surrogates.

October 13, 2009: We first started talking with Jessie to explore moving ahead with her.

October 20, 2009: Full HIV/STD testing.

October 26, 2009: Full physical. Semen Analysis.

October 28, 2009: Officially decided to move ahead with Jessie.

October 30, 2009: Contacted attorneys. Request engagement letter.

November 6, 2009: Travel booked to fly and visit with Jessie, and first consultation with IVF Clinic.

November 9, 2009: Engagement letter and retainer paid to attorney. Drafts of Gestational Surrogacy Agreement begin.

November 24, 2009: First FDA full lab panel for me. GS begins taking birth control.

November 25, 2009: Final surrogacy agreement is completed.

November 30, 2009: Consultation with IVF doctor. GS has blood work, saline ultrasound. Egg donor is selected.

December 4, 2009: Fund Management Agreement is finalized with attorney. Trust fund established with attorney GS comp.

December 29, 2009: Meds are ordered/purchased from pharmacy for GS and ED.

December 30, 2009: ED physical, ultrasound, and FDA labs completed.

January 2, 2010: GS begins injectables.

January 4, 2010: ED Donor Insurance established. Treatment contracts completed with IVF center.

January 6, 2010: ED begins injections.

January 21, 2010: ED Cycle day, 9 day ultrasound: Doctor viewed 23 follicles.

January 22, 2010: GS has ultrasound of uterine lining. Uterus is in position, and lining looks ready for transfer. Travel to Sacramento, CA and GS meets there and drives to San Francisco, where we spend the weekend having fun!

January 24, 2010: ED has 11 day ultrasound: Doctor viewed 25 follicles. GS and me travel to Sacramento. IVF center is nearby.

January 26, 2010: Egg retrieval. Doctor able to retrieve 20 eggs from ED. All 20 eggs appear mature. Eggs are combined with sperm.

January 27, 2010: Confirmed: 17 eggs were fertilized succesfully.

January 29, 2010: I travel to Modesto, CA to stay near GS. IVF Doc and embryologist confirm that as of Day 3, we still have 17 viable embryos. 1 is at 10 cells, 15 are at 8 cells, and 1 is at 7 cells.

January 31, 2010: We transferred 2 embryos this morning that were in expanded blastocyst stage (120+ cells). We froze an additional 3 embryos this morning which were also expanded blastocysts. 12 embryos are still in incubation, and we hope to have at least 10 more expanded blastocysts to cryopreserve by Monday morning. Beta test scheduled for Monday, February 8, 2010.