4 DIY Gift Wrapping Ideas Your Children Can Create

The gift-giving season is upon us, we all know that wrapping paper and bags cost a lot of money and are not as fun as homemade wrappings. Who would not want to receive a gift that was wrapped in pretty homemade gift wrapping? When your children are wrapping with you, let them get into the spirit of giving, by letting them create their own wrapping materials!

Here are 4 Do It Yourself wrapping gift paper ideas.

Tie Dye Tissue Paper Wrapping 

It is time to get funky with your little ones! You'll need tissue paper on the thicker side, for more absorbency, rubber bands, and food coloring with drip tops. You and your little ones are ready to have a lot of colorful fun! Fold the tissue paper into which every shape you would like, tie the rubber bands around it to separate the colors or get funky and mix them up. There are so many designs to come up with. Once you have added the color, let it completely dry, then take them apart and you are left with an amazing colorful wrapping paper ready to get used. 

Santa Paws 

This will get a little messy but the kids will really enjoy it! For this project, you will need plain gift wrapping paper, safe paints for the kids to use since they will be using their hands, hence the mess that will be made! And some colorful markers. First lay out the wrapping paper flat put some heavy objects on each corner so they do not fold into each other. Once in place, its time to get MESSY! Have your children paint one hand with the color of choice, then place onto the paper wherever they would like. Once dry they can add in all the details and make their handprints into cute little Santas. Then you are ready to wrap up your gifts!

Cookie Cutter Fun

While you might think cookies cutters are only for baking cookies, think again! they can be used to create cute wrapping paper that your kids will have so much joy creating. You will need a few Christmas cookie cutters like Trees, Santa, Snowman, and Reindeer. Along with some plain wrapping paper and different color paints of your liking. Place a small amount of paint onto a paper plate, place the bottom of the cookie cutter into the pain and move it around a little to coat. Then place anywhere on the paper and go crazy!

Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

How about putting together these cute little Snowman Bags! Get a few white bags from the dollar store, black, red, orange and red constructions paper and don't forget the glue! Cut out small black squares for the eyes and mouth and some circles for the buttons. Cut out a large carrot-shaped nose, as best as you can, it does not need to be perfect last but not least cut out a large red stripe and 2 little triangles, these will make the scarf and tassels! Let your children add them to create their own cute snowman bags to go!

Winter Season Has Arrived

❄Who doesn't love watching the snow fall?  It creates a beautiful blanket of pure white fluff over every inch it touches! It is such a wonderful time of year. ❄

Now that winter has made its presence know, more cold winter weather will be approaching.

We put together a "Winter Survival Guide" to keeping warm, cozy and safe this winter (especially for pregnant women!).

• Always check the weather before leaving your house so you are not left unprepared, this is very important!

• Make sure to wear appropriate attire that will keep you comfortable and warm but not restricting your movements. Wear layers of natural fabrics like wool, for example, will keep you very warm. 

• Wearing layers will keep you warm and will help regulate your temperature if you are too hot , you can take a layers or two off.

• Find a pair of flat winter boots that are comfortable to walk in, comfort over a fashion statement is best.

• Dont forget your winter accessories! Gloves, hats, scarves and warm socks

• Take the pressure off of your back by carrying less (yes that means lightening the load in your purse!) this will put less strain on your ligaments.

• Avoid winter sports as there is a risk of injury BUT feel free to get out there with your kiddos and enjoy a nice snowball fight or build a snowman or snow angels.  Don't forget to be very mindful of your surroundings and avoid the outdoor play if it is icy.

• Do not shovel or attempt to remove or clear snow, this involves to much stress on your back nd the twisting motion will leave you aching.

• Take frequent naps (mini-hibernation) to keep your energy levels up.

• Make yourself a nice cup of herbal tea or hot cocoa with marshmallows to warm your soul and the baby(s).

• Carry lotions and balms with you to protect your skin, as cold weather causes extreme dry skin as does pregnancy! 

• Applying moisturizer when getting out of the bath or shower will help rehydrate skin to prevent cracking.

• Protect yourself from germs by having hand sanitizer with you and always washing your hands frequently. 

• Last, but not lease, grab a nice cozy blanket, put your feet up, relax and enjoy some holidays movies TV.

Have a wonderful and safe winter season

Thanksgiving Foods & Pregnancy

We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving

We hope your day was filled with love and joy and lots of food!

This is the time of year for you to reflect on what you are thankful for in your life right now. 
Whether it is being thankful for your family, friends, furry family members or for being given the opportunity to bring a child into this world for another family to love and be thankful for. It's a great time to remember all that we have.

We want to hear what you are thankful for this year!
Please post what you are thankful on our facebook page, we can't wait to hear from you
https://www.facebook.com/SurrogateChat/

This is also a time to indulge in a variety of homemade Thanksgiving dishes. We have all waited patiently for this day to arrive all year long. Imaging all the intoxicating smells making your mouth water, seeing the entire table full of beautiful, warm, cooked dishes just waiting for you to into.  And let's not forget the leftovers!

There are a few basic food safety tips to keep in mind while being pregnant before indulging in all the wonderful dishes.

1. Turkey-Turkey-Turkey! You want to make sure the turkey is completely cooked and has come up to a temperature of at least 170 Degrees. You do not want to eat an undercooked turkey as you want to avoid the possibility of getting Salmonella or e.colie. These can be found in undercooked meats. 

2. Who doesn't love stuffing! Before jumping in you want to check and see If the stuffing was cooked inside of the turkey. If it was it runs the risk of being contaminated by undercooked meat as well as not getting hot enough on the inside to destroy those germs.

2. Extra Salt? No thank you! To avoid puffy legs, ankles, and fingers; Do not add any extra salt. Sodium intake affects, water retention and blood pressure. Being pregnant you are already being affected by this. By saying no to more salt you will lower this effect. 

3. Make your plate colorful, vegetable dishes deliver so many good nutrients for your pregnant body and the growing baby. For example, you can eat; Yams, green beans, cranberry, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, pumpkin, apples, turnips. The more colors, the prettier you plate will look and will taste even better.

4. Be mindful when choosing hors-d'oeuvres the cheese platter is a classic, but you need to avoid some soft cheeses, including brie, camembert, chevre, blue cheese, and gorgonzola. The reason why you want to be careful is that some unpasteurized cheese can be dangerous and carry listeria. Which can be dangerous for pregnant women. 

Now that you have these tips under your belt, It is now time for you to enjoy this fantastic holiday with your family and friends and eat all the deliciously cooked foods you want.

Time to get ready for the next holidays!!

FAQ From Potential Surrogates Pt.2

To continue with our Q&A!

We are very excited to bring you 5 more FAQs from 
Potential Surrogate Mothers! 

We feel it is very important that our surrogates receive as much information as possible regarding their surrogate journey, to be well informed and also excited for what's to come!

Q. Is a medical screening visit needed? 


A. Yes, A medical screening is necessary, this is a very important step in the surrogate journey. As this will confirm you are medically capable of handling another pregnancy and carrying safely and to term. Your health is our highest concern.  At the screening, you will find out more about the meds you need to take to prepare your body for an embryo transfer and have the opportunity to talk to the doctor about the process and meet the medical staff you will be working with. 




Q. What do I need to prepare for the medical screening?


A. You will be traveling to the clinic that your Intended Parents have chosen to work with to complete your screening. Your travel expenses will be paid for by your Intended Parents. This means you will need to pack an overnight bag depending on where the clinic is. If the clinic is in your vicinity and easy to travel to, you can probably drive. Each clinic is run differently, thus their screening process will vary. All facilities will need to see your medical records for all pregnancies and deliveries before they bring you in for a screening visit. You will know if you have been cleared to proceed within a few days of your appointment. Once you have been medically cleared by the clinic to proceed, it is time for you to review your GC Contract with your attorney.
 

Q. How will compensation payment be made?

A.  Your Intended Parents will be setting up an escrow account. Your attorney will advise and guide you regarding the payments due and schedule before you begin. This payment schedule is managed by the escrow agent and they will guide you on submitted any expenses during the journey to make sure you are paid in a timely manner. 

Q.What happens after the baby is born?


A. Once you have given birth, hopefully with the Intended Parents in attendance, you will get to see the joy you have helped to create as they meet their baby for the first time!  The intended parents will begin bonding with their newborn while doctors take good care of you.  All legal paperwork will be in place at the time of birth. The paperwork will ensure that the Intend Parents will have all decision-making rights for the child.  Depending on your type of delivery and the hospital policy, you can expect to stay at the hospital between 24 and 72 hours following birth. You may not be discharged at the same time as the newborn. This means that you could be leaving before the parents and baby, or they could be the ones leaving before you.

Q. Can you be a surrogate more than once?


A. We have had many of our surrogates come back for another surrogate journey.  When we are lucky enough, and they have had great deliveries, some of these amazing women will work with us for more than 2 journey's. This wonderful gift of life is truly a blessing for those families who can't have their own children.

We hope this information is helpful if you have any more questions please feel free to call our office and one of our coordinators will be more than happy to speak with you.

Contact us at # 888-363-9457 

DIY Baby Halloween Costumes

OK, so we know this is late... but better late than never, right?

Please remember to post the adorable pictures of your little ones on our facebook page!  We love seeing all your cuties!

https://www.facebook.com/SurrogateChat/

Babies are already so adorable, but they become extra adorable once you get them dressed up in a cute costume. But usually, those cute costumes cost you a pretty penny. Babies grow so quickly, that they grow out of their costumes and only get a chance to wear them once. Creating your own costumes at home can be simple and really fun, plus there is an infinite amount of ideas available.

Here are 7 Costumes that you can make yourself, at home, that won't break the bank;

Pumpkin baby; 

 This costume is made out of one long sleeve orange onesie with a bright green pointy cap, the pumpkin face is made of cute out felt and glued onto the front of the onesie, you can be as creative as you want to with the face.

The MUMMY baby;

This is such a simple yet really cute idea, for this costume you will need toilet paper and wrapping bandages, make sure not to wrap too tightly you want this to be loose and fitting just like a mummy.

Garden Gnome;

This little fella can be made with a simple long sleeve blue shirt wrapped with a black scarf around the waist, for his hat, this can be made out of felt rolled into a cone shape and glued together, the mini beard can also be made out of felt material trim the ends so it looks like straggling hairs. 

Little old Ladies;

Costumes made complete with their own mini cute walkers, these walkers can be made out of PVC and you can attach little tennis balls to the ends so ease of walking, their tiny costumes can be made with a baby cardigan and a skirt, topped with a little wig and scarf.

Left                                      Right

On the left, we have the Lollie Pop Kid from the Wizard of Oz;

This cute outfit can be made with a little button down shirt, your choice of color, and a small hat that the top can be cut off and the babies hair (if they have hair) that can be looped right through the top, if they don't have hair yet glue some hair like material to the top and shape it to make a cute curl. For the Lollie pop its self you can use a small thin wooden stick and a color print out of a swirly candy.

 To the right we have a baby dressed up as Harry Potter;

For this one, you will need a small button down cardigan along with a colorful scarf of your choosing (depending on whose team you're on), finish the look with a small pair of glasses with the lens taken out.

Mystical Mermaid;

This little outfit can be made by crocheting a small tail to go around the babies legs but still leaving them free, and a small little-crocheted top, finish the look with some beads and a cute little headband to tie it all together.

We hope you had a wonderful fun filled Halloween!

Halloween Painted Belly Ideas

Halloween is one of the best times of the year for the child inside all of us! (Literally for the pregnant women below!).  One day out of the year that you are encouraged to be imaginative and dress up to look like someone else or a crazy monster from out of this world, just for a good laugh, and to have a great time with your friends and neighbors.

Pregnancy does not have to slow you down in the fun department, embrace the fun! 

Here are 6 cute, fun and easy designs that you can have painted on your cute baby bump.

You can be as creative as you want, the ideas are endless!
(Post your fun pictures on our facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/SurrogateChat/ )

 

 1. A sweet baby giraffe, who has a baby binky in his mouth popping out of the center of the belly.

2. This is little cutie is coming out of a zipper of the belly wearing a pair of sunglasses, with baby footsteps going up the stomach.

3. Super baby smashing through a brick wall on belly, with a big greeting smile.

4. Parent fishy's smiling down on the baby fishy who has a binky in her mouth.

5. Here is a sweet baby girl growing out of the ground like a seedling, under the sunset, sleeping soundly

6. This baby is ready to pop, he is cracking through this beautiful blue egg popping his feet and little tiny hand busting through the egg.

Before painting, you want to make sure that you are using paints that are;

-Non-toxic

-Hypoallergenic

-Paraben-free

-FDA Approved 

-Washes off with soap and water 

Please do more research before adding any paint to your body that can potentially be harmful to the baby and yourself.

Have fun, and Happy Halloween to all our pregnant friends!

FAQ From Potential Surrogates Pt. 1

Q: Who are Intended parents?  

A: Intended parent/parents individuals or couples who need someone else to carry their child. Some have fertility issues, some have medical conditions that do not allow for them to carry a pregnancy, and some just need the help of a third party to have a child. Other intended parents have gone through many challenging IVF cycles and have one/or more remaining embryos that they would like a surrogate mother to carry for them.

Q: Do intended Parents go through a screening process?

A: Yes, the intended parents (and gestational surrogates) go through a screening process and detailed consultations with both the fertility clinic and the surrogate agency.  This screening process is important as it ensures that all parties are healthy and able to proceed with this amazing journey.  All relevant medical issues must be known and shared with all parties before they are cleared to proceed. 

Q: How much will I be compensated for being a Surrogate?

A: You will receive payments for your efforts to be a surrogate mother. The average "compensation" can range from $30,000 to $50,000 plus expenses, based upon experience of the gestational carrier as well as negotiations during the preparation of the gestational carrier contract.  The payments are usually made monthly during a pregnancy another fees and expenses that are agreed upon are paid as well. Factors that are taken into consideration when figuring out carriers compensation are location of the carrier’s residence, experience (first time surrogate vs. 3rd-time surrogate) and the number of babies carried.

Q; What are the benefits are being a surrogate?

A: The biggest benefit of being a surrogate mother is giving the gift of life to an eager family who could not conceive on their own.  Becoming a surrogate mother takes a very special person, as you will be working with intended parents for approximately 12-15 months, will need to take medications to prepare for embryo transfer(s) and of course, will be carrying special cargo for 9+ months. The other benefit is that it can help you to provide for your own family; maybe to help buy a home, or plan for the college education for your children.  But the best benefit to you will be the satisfaction of building a family for someone else in a very special way. 

We also find that many women love being a surrogate mother because that means they get to go through the amazing experience of carrying a child all over again. Many women love being pregnant and carrying children, but do not want to raise any more children. 

What can be better than carrying another little baby, and seeing that child go to a loving, caring home with the happiest parents ever?

 

Q: How long does it take to be matched with Intended Parents?

A: First, we start by asking what is important to you in matching with intended parents, and if you have special requests. If you are open to working with a wide group of intended parents you will have a shorter wait time. If you are looking for more specific qualities than the wait might be a little longer. We estimate that a match can be made within about 1-6 months from the time you are fully signed on with the agency. 

Q: Is traveling needed during the Surrogacy process?

A: Traveling will need to take place for the screening visit and embryo transfer(s) if your intended parents are working with a fertility clinic that is not near your home. You will not be responsible for the travel cost. This will all be covered by the intended parents.

If working with international Intended parents, do not worry, you will not need to travel out of the country. All embryo transfers take place here in the United States.

 

Q: Do I need my own health insurance to go through surrogacy?

A: No, you do not need your own insurance, but it is certainly a benefit if you do have insurance. Any insurance plan you have in place will be reviewed and checked by the intended parent’s attorney to see if it will cover you for the pre-natal care through delivery of the pregnancy. If your insurance does not cover, or you do not have insurance, then we will work with you and the intended parents to find an insurance option available to cover the pregnancy, this would be at the expense of the intended parents. 

Q: When the time comes where will I be giving birth?

A: Depending on the location you will give birth at the closest hospital available to you. The hospital will be informed that you will be giving birth there, and you will register with them as you would have with your own deliveries. Once in labor, you will let the intended parents know, and they join you welcome their sweet baby into this world. 

Q: Do I Qualify to be a Surrogate Mother?

A: Here is a list of the qualifications that need to be met in order to start the surrogacy process:  

-Must be 21-43 years of age

-Delivery of at least one healthy pregnancy

-Must be a Non-smoker

-BMI should be between 21-35

-No criminal background

If you answered yes to all 5 of these qualifications, then please visit our website.

Here you will find our gestational carrier application to complete; www.ReproductivePossibilities.com

Q: Who will I be interacting with at the agency?

A: Once your application has been received and processed, you will receive a call from one of our gestational carrier coordinators who will conduct an initial interview with you, and introduce you to the process. Detailed interviews will follow.  Once you have been matched with intended parents you will be working with one person to assist you and your intended parents through the rest of your journey. She will be the one who will guide you through the entire process step by step and will be your go-to-person for anything you may need.

More FAQ'S to come :)

Join us for our FREE Open House for Surrogates!

Surro Social - Now Welcoming all Potential Surrogates in our NJ Office

Wed, October 3, 2018, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT 

Event Information

Date and Time

Wed, October 3, 2018
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT

Location

Reproductive Possibilities, LLC
1 Paragon Drive, Suite 160
Montvale, NJ 07645
Event description

Begin an Amazing Journey ...

Reproductive Possibilities is opening its doors to young, healthy women (between 21-43 years old), who may be interested in becoming surrogate mothers. Discover how you can make someone's dream come true by carrying a child for parents who are unable to do so on their own. Meet our kind, caring, and supportive staff who can help you understand and begin the journey. RSVP now and register to receive a free gift on the day of the event. (Limit 15).

Wondering if you qualify?

• Are you between the ages of 21-43?
• Have you had at least one healthy pregnancy and delivery?
• Non-smokers only
• BMI between 21-35

Open House Agenda

• Meet our staff.
• Find out additional benefits of becoming a surrogate mother.
• Refreshments served.
• Your children are welcome too - games will be played!
• Bring your sister or your friend (or both).

Referral fees of $1000 - for referring someone who is accepted into program

• Paid $500 when contracts are signed and $500 after first embryo transfer procedure is completed.
• No limit on the number of referral fees you can earn within the year!

Visit our website for additional information www.reproductivepossibilities.com or call us at 201-505-0078.

Looking forward to meeting you soon!
Gift to the first 15 attendees!

2 Different Types of Surrogacy

You’d be surprised with the amount of people who have trouble conceiving a child.  Surrogacy now provides options for those experiencing infertility issues, and with the help of some of the most caring and giving women, it allows for these individuals to fulfill their dreams of becoming a parent. The following is a guide in understanding the concept of surrogacy.  

Surrogacy; is the involvement of a woman who carries a child to term and relinquishes her rights to said child over to the intended parent(s).

There are 2 types of Surrogacy: 

Gestational and Traditional Gestational Surrogacy; 

This is the most popular type of surrogacy; it includes the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments such as InVitro Fertilization and embryo transfer (implantation) procedure. 

In Vitro Fertilization is a procedure in which the eggs are extracted from a woman's ovaries, either from the intended mother or an egg donor, and then fertilized with sperm  from the intended father or a sperm donor. Once the eggs are fertilized, they are considered embryos and are soon ready to be implanted into the uterus of a woman who will carry the child to term, i.e. the surrogate or gestational carrier. 

Because the fertilization process occurs outside of the human body, unnaturally and in a medical laboratory, the process can be costly and often times is not covered by one’s insurance plan. . Once created, embryos may be frozen and stored in a lab, which provide a safe, stable environment. If donors are involved in this process, it adds to the cost.

Additionally, the intended parents often need a written contract with the donor (anonymous or known) to ensure that the donor has no rights to any child resulting from the embryos created with her genetic material.

In the scenario described above, the woman carrying the child to term is not genetically linked to the child; this means she is classified as the gestational carrier. 

Before transferring the embryo into the uterus of the surrogate for implantation, a written contract needs to be drafted between the intended parents and the gestational carrier. This contract confirms the gestational carrier’s intention to relinquish any rights to the child she may have simply as a result of her birthing the child. Also, she acknowledges that the intended parents are in fact the legal parents of the child.  

This now brings us to the question of compensation for a gestational carrier. In some U.S.States and other countries, it is legal for you to pay someone to carry a child for you -- above and beyond the medical bills and travel she may incur to the medical facility to undergo ART procedures. This is sometimes referred to as commercial surrogacy.

Commercial surrogacy is becoming very widely known, as it has become legal in many U.S. states. Unfortunately, some of our states and other countries are still against this and have not legalized surrogacy in many areas.

Commercial Surrogacy is when the gestational carrier and the intended parents have an arrangement where the gestational carrier is paid to carry the child. Not only do the intended parents cover the medical cost, travel, and clothing, but they’re also paying the gestational carrier for other fees and expenses throughout her pregnancy.

Since there is money involved, a contract is a necessary document to have in place. This establishes when payments will be given to the gestational carriers and in what circumstances and amounts. All of these fees and expenses are paid according to the terms the intended parents and the surrogate have agreed upon and included in their contract.

Traditional Surrogacy;

While gestational surrogacy is very popular, traditional surrogacy, on the other hand, is less common, but often less expensive. 

The surrogate will be using her own egg and will become pregnant via an insemination process where the sperm of the intended father, or that of a sperm donor, is transferred to her uterus. In this case, the surrogate is genetically linked to the child she is carrying. 

This means that once the child is born, she must relinquish her parental rights, usually through an adoption hearing, so that the child can be raised by both the intended father and his partner or wife.

The process used for traditional surrogacy is known as intrauterine insemination also known as IUI.  As part of the IUI process, semen from either the intended father or from a donor is collected and washed carefully in a laboratory. The semen needs to be specially washed as semen is not only made up of sperm.

The sperm is then separated from any impurities. This will ensure the sperm is concentrated; the more concentrated it is the higher the rate of pregnancy. This concentrated sperm is then transferred into the uterus of the surrogate. Insemination can take place in either a sterile medical facility, where it is constantly being monitored, or in a home setting.

No two surrogate journeys are the same. Each has its own path, and may be a bit of a roller coaster while others more like a lazy river. Before deciding which type of surrogate journey is best for you (gestational or traditional), please take the time to do further research.

We welcome you to check our website www.reproductivepossibilities.com for more information.