Being the OCD informational gatherer that I am, I figured Jonathan might be as well, since he is a lawyer and has been asking a lot of questions. Plus, I like to have an idea of what to expect when I'm going into something. So, this weekend I pulled out my contract from my surrogacy with Grant and Russ and just went through and edited the names and information that has changed from that journey to this one. I sent it to Jonathan hoping that it could give him an idea of what to expect and maybe even we could use it as a starting point to discuss anything that we might want to change so that the contracts phase is easier and faster. I also put together a timeline from the date that I was matched until the first ultrasound, again to help give him an idea of what to expect.
In a reply email, he asked about the after-birth legalities. That got me thinking about Grant and Russ's lawyer down here, Robert. I remembered Russ talking about how it took forever for them to get the birth certificates and stuff and felt like they weren't a priority for him. And even how Russ was the one who ended up calling the courts to get them on the docket so that it could get finalized. I told Jonathan about that and mentioned how if we delivered in Florida, he might want to see about finding another surrogacy lawyer down here.
Well, I figured that was as good a time as any to bring up the fact that Sorrell and I had discussed having the baby(ies) in Texas and it was something that Jonathan should think about.
Sorrell and I would rent a house in DFW or Austin for the last two months of the pregnancy. (We wouldn't expect Jonathan to pay for it, that's something that we're willing to pay for since it benefits us as well.) The reasons that Sorrell and I had initially thought of this was of course because Texas is much more VBAC friendly than Florida. And more importantly, if I can convince Jonathan to let me go to a birth center, they allow VBACs there too! But as I started to think about it, I realized that it's a win/win if we deliver in Texas because 1.) it's VBAC friendly and I have the option of a birth center, 2.) on any given day it's significantly cheaper for Jonathan to fly from Michigan to Texas than to Florida, 3.) Simple Surrogacy and numerous surrogates are in Texas so there are likely birth centers and hospitals that have dealt with unique situations like ours before, 4.) since Simple Surrogacy is in Texas, they probably have relationships with good surrogacy lawyers there, and 5.) I'll have more support as well because of the fact that Simple Surrogacy and several surrogate friends are in those areas.
I haven't heard back from Jonathan since that email so I'm not sure what he is thinking about all of this but it's only been like a day or two. Hopefully, he'll have some time in the next day or two to review the contract and think about my email a little bit and he'll let me know what his initial thoughts are on everything.
Again, ultimately, this is his rodeo but I just want what's easiest and happiest for everyone involved. Personally, the more I think about it, the better of an idea this sounds to me! LOL Also, I don't know what Jonathan's plans are for the birth, like if he wants to come down a week or so before the due date or something, but if so, he'd be more than welcome to stay in the rental house in Texas with us and not have to pay for a hotel like he would down here since we just don't have the room in our apartment.
Meanwhile, as I bombard Jonathan with all of this information and likely more questions and things to think about, I'm just waiting to hear from the clinic about scheduling my screening appointment. Surrogacy is just like the military….hurry up and wait!
In a reply email, he asked about the after-birth legalities. That got me thinking about Grant and Russ's lawyer down here, Robert. I remembered Russ talking about how it took forever for them to get the birth certificates and stuff and felt like they weren't a priority for him. And even how Russ was the one who ended up calling the courts to get them on the docket so that it could get finalized. I told Jonathan about that and mentioned how if we delivered in Florida, he might want to see about finding another surrogacy lawyer down here.
Well, I figured that was as good a time as any to bring up the fact that Sorrell and I had discussed having the baby(ies) in Texas and it was something that Jonathan should think about.
Sorrell and I would rent a house in DFW or Austin for the last two months of the pregnancy. (We wouldn't expect Jonathan to pay for it, that's something that we're willing to pay for since it benefits us as well.) The reasons that Sorrell and I had initially thought of this was of course because Texas is much more VBAC friendly than Florida. And more importantly, if I can convince Jonathan to let me go to a birth center, they allow VBACs there too! But as I started to think about it, I realized that it's a win/win if we deliver in Texas because 1.) it's VBAC friendly and I have the option of a birth center, 2.) on any given day it's significantly cheaper for Jonathan to fly from Michigan to Texas than to Florida, 3.) Simple Surrogacy and numerous surrogates are in Texas so there are likely birth centers and hospitals that have dealt with unique situations like ours before, 4.) since Simple Surrogacy is in Texas, they probably have relationships with good surrogacy lawyers there, and 5.) I'll have more support as well because of the fact that Simple Surrogacy and several surrogate friends are in those areas.
I haven't heard back from Jonathan since that email so I'm not sure what he is thinking about all of this but it's only been like a day or two. Hopefully, he'll have some time in the next day or two to review the contract and think about my email a little bit and he'll let me know what his initial thoughts are on everything.
Again, ultimately, this is his rodeo but I just want what's easiest and happiest for everyone involved. Personally, the more I think about it, the better of an idea this sounds to me! LOL Also, I don't know what Jonathan's plans are for the birth, like if he wants to come down a week or so before the due date or something, but if so, he'd be more than welcome to stay in the rental house in Texas with us and not have to pay for a hotel like he would down here since we just don't have the room in our apartment.
Meanwhile, as I bombard Jonathan with all of this information and likely more questions and things to think about, I'm just waiting to hear from the clinic about scheduling my screening appointment. Surrogacy is just like the military….hurry up and wait!