tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76838578375761258902012-01-27T19:14:49.693-05:00crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.comBlogger691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-86391777842699431472011-12-21T11:20:00.000-05:002011-12-21T11:20:20.977-05:00

Elle's famous smile! Alec after he finished his cupcake! Mark with his 3D glasses looking at the lighted menorah. Alec & Elle standing on their own. It is hard to believe that Alec&Elle were one on December 20th!  They celebrated their first Hanukkah and ate their first cupcake.  Here are some of the latest photos of all of our children.  Happy holidays to all!

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-7903941165474338822011-11-19T21:41:00.001-05:002011-11-19T22:13:58.003-05:00

When it comes to making babies, nobody does it better than Black folks. In fact, 19 percent of all Black teenagers, aged 15-19, become pregnant each year, compared with only 8 percent of White teens. Because Black teens are giving up educational opportunities and careers to bear babies at an age when they are still "babies themselves," this "baby boom" has caused nationwide concern about the

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-47988994283402035052011-10-06T22:12:00.001-04:002011-10-06T22:12:27.086-04:00

COLIN & MARK  ELLE @ 9 MONTHS MARK WITH HIS ADORING SIBLINGS IN NEW JERSEY MARK@ OCEAN CITY,  MARYLAND MARK WITH THE WIND IN HIS FACE

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-16202648264303046452011-08-08T22:30:00.001-04:002011-08-08T22:36:28.648-04:00

Now that Mark is nearing 3 years old, it appears the simplest comment can take you down a long road you didn't intend.  While looking at the computer today Dad searched "robot" and mentioned casually that you can buy robots. On the way to the toy store, Dad mentioned the name - Toys R Us - and Mark said "We aren't toys!"  Dad said, "I like that!  You're right!  Give me a high five". The store

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-87878536836964617602011-08-02T10:52:00.000-04:002011-08-02T10:52:42.539-04:00

Mark, watching his favorite late night show with Alec. My beautiful daughter Elle! Alec in his favorite walker. Mark (August 1, 2011)

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-19288096412685374892011-07-27T12:33:00.000-04:002011-07-27T12:33:14.573-04:00

Two couples who paid surrogate mothers to carry their babies face the possibility of criminal chargesLetitia Rowlands  From:The Daily Telegraph  July 28, 2011 12:00AM Increase Text Size Decrease Text Size Print Email Share TWO couples who paid surrogate mothers to carry their babies face the possibility of criminal charges after their cases were referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions by

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-3110809986144222182011-07-15T10:45:00.000-04:002011-07-15T10:45:13.147-04:00

British Broadcasting CorporationAccessibility linksSkip to content Skip to local navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk search Help Accessibility Help BBC World ServiceOn Air Now: 15:32-16:00 GMT+1World FootballProgrammes How & When to Listen Your World Womb For Rent MEDIA:NEXT ON:Tomorrow, 14:05 on BBC World ServiceSYNOPSISWith surrogacy costing up to $70,000 in the US

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-2662441924872983282011-06-14T11:05:00.000-04:002011-06-14T11:05:46.732-04:00

Elle & Alec at 5 1/2 months! Mark playing in the rain! (2years8months) Mark jumping in the rain puddles.

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-17273628352265238022011-05-24T10:06:00.000-04:002011-05-24T10:06:05.066-04:00

Newark flight finally leaves after two days May 22, 2011, 11.21pm ISTNew Delhi: Passengers of a Continental Airlines flight to Newark spent over 44 hours in the city after their flight got delayed due to a technical snag. The delayed flight CO83 was scheduled to depart from Delhi's IGI Airport at 10.50pm on Friday but finally departed around 6 on Sunday evening.Dr Yog Raj Sharma, a passenger on

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-32478298277162388222011-05-21T22:41:00.001-04:002011-05-21T23:18:34.748-04:00

If I were not stranded in New Delhi, I would be home in Maryland with my family.  My flight was scheduled to arrive at the Dullas/Washington DC airport on Saturday at 7:25 in the morning.  It is currently 8:10 am,  Monday morning in New Delhi.  Last night our airplane was grounded for the second time and we still have not beenhave given  any explanation.  The Continental crew at the Delhi airport

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-69973603865069583112011-05-15T15:14:00.001-04:002011-05-15T15:20:28.336-04:00

May 14, 2011--- This trip is so different from my last trip to India, bringing back the twins in December.  I’m sitting on the airplane with my Mac, as random thoughts enter my head, as I head to New Delhi and Gujarat for business.  My thoughts are on my family,  Colin, Mark, Elle and Alec.  Colin has all 3 children by himself tonight, but our nanny Esper, will come arrive on Sunday.  Leaving

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-83628596095615389702011-03-16T13:10:00.003-04:002011-03-16T13:27:22.887-04:00

Alec Elle Mark Our lovely Nanny Today is our 20th Anniversary,and I would have never imagined that we would have 3 children  all under the age of three.  They are a dream come true.  We will celebrate our anniversary  while in California with friends and family.   Colin left for California early last Sunday morning and Mark and I dropped him off at the airport.  Mark cannot get the

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-4563138054626111732011-03-09T11:20:00.001-05:002011-03-09T11:22:28.387-05:00

Elle/Twin A Life with the 3 children has been interesting over the past couple of months.  Since we have been back at home, Mark continues to go to daycare full time, and we have finally hired a nanny who we are just thrilled to have in our home. Our nanny is a pro, and we are learning a lot from her.   Mark is no longer asking me to send his siblings back home on the plane, but will often

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-36104749063478987922011-01-09T21:22:00.006-05:002011-01-11T13:25:30.535-05:00

We are presenting our story of picking up Alec and Elle in installments.  This is the first of several installments.  Stay tuned; we will post about once every couple days.  In contrast to my usual style, this story is written in the third person. Alec Victory The McRae family, with two-year-old Mark and now sporting a new pair of twins, rolled up to the house.  Crystal said, “I guess

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-3385808412465388642010-12-21T13:57:00.001-05:002010-12-21T14:03:15.120-05:00

We are safe and sound at The Leela in Mumbai, but our travel over on Turkish Airlines was one for the record.  Our flight left out of Dullas/Washington DC on time, and was to arrive in Istanbul Airport with about an 1/ 1/2 layover.  While in the air after about 3 hours we heard hollering and screaming behind us and what sounded like someone was being assaulted.  Turkish Airlines appears to have a

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-9970650179540649702010-12-10T10:37:00.000-05:002010-12-10T10:37:59.748-05:00

Time is flying by, and it looks like a c-section will take place on December 15th.  However we will be arriving on the 22nd.  This gives the babies a solid week on breast milk, which is a good thing.  It has finally hit me that we are having twins, even though mentally I have known about it for months.    I just ordered two baby bouncers, and have all of the clothing ready to be placed in the

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-73996221679419548092010-12-02T12:01:00.000-05:002010-12-02T12:01:43.713-05:00

  We are starting to get ready for the twins!!!  I'm hoping that this double stroller will come in handy at the airports, not just for the twins, but for Mark.  Bugaboo finally has a double stroller to be released Spring 2011, so I will hold onto this  new Mcclaren double stroller until then.   The Bugaboo stroller that we currently have, I'm willing to give to a good home and it is in great

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-79113713567522594772010-10-26T10:52:00.000-04:002010-10-26T10:52:04.394-04:00

This past week-end we were at a friends house, and they had not seen the BBC segment on TV.  We decided to go to Utube to watch the video.   When Mark saw me, of course he was happy to see his  mom and was kissing the screen, but then he looked at  Nayana our surrogate and said who's that.  For some strange reason his question  caught me off guard.  In an instant I felt some strange sort of angst

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-82277943042552552342010-10-20T22:40:00.004-04:002010-10-21T21:30:15.427-04:00

India to regulate surrogacy industrywww.bbc.co.ukSurrogacy is a rapidly growing industry in India, but concerns about irregularities have induced the government to bring in regulations.

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-42948987018067076472010-10-17T23:38:00.000-04:002010-10-17T23:38:26.669-04:00

Chicago from my Iphone Colin & Mark I decided to turn on the Christmas lights for Mark's 2nd Birthday! October 15, 2010 Beth Kohl with husband,  The honorable Gary Feinerman, along with Justice Kennedy Eric & Dakota Mark at Sukkot 2010 Mark at the Pumpkin Patch Mark with his Boston College T-Shirt from Sean Mark eating his cupcake at his party on Friday.  October 15th,

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-32207049462629753552010-10-11T05:27:00.000-04:002010-10-11T05:27:45.937-04:00

                                                 International Surrogacy Advocates                                              http://surrogacyadvocates.blogspot.com/

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-21814059244988346162010-09-09T17:55:00.001-04:002010-09-09T17:55:57.709-04:00

I just loved this! Crystal & Nayana 18 1/2 weeks pregnant Computers at the Surrogate House One of Dr. Patels staff went to locate this couple, because this guy is from Libera and is studying for his Masters degree in Anand.  He was thrilled to meet another person of color.  He meet his wife while in Anand, and they will be going back after he finishes his studies. Ceremony at the

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-82127067739656049232010-08-26T10:04:00.000-04:002010-08-26T10:04:32.581-04:00

I finally arrived and I'm here with Najla and the twins.  They are extremely small but very beautiful.  Yesterday I was afraid to pick them up, but today I'm more confident about handling them.  We went to the clinic today to figure out the particulars of what we will be doing tomorrow as CNN will be filming.  On  Monday, it's BBC turn than I'm off to New Delhi for business on Tuesday. I My

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-62142853847985621792010-08-16T16:25:00.000-04:002010-08-16T16:25:45.404-04:00

Congrats to my friend, sister and confidante  Najla.  As soon as we hung up last night she received her e-mail from Dr. Patel stating that the twins were born. They are a bit early, but the are breathing on their own and are over 4 pounds.  I cannot wait to meet them.  xo

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-78740919992767902902010-08-11T12:58:00.001-04:002010-08-11T13:02:04.622-04:00

I swore that I would never fly Qatar again, but it was the best rate that  I could find. When Mark was born and we flew back on Qatar from Ahmedabad and was harrassed by the staff.  They questioned me for more than 2 hours, even with all of my documents in order.  I thought that we would not be allowed to leave India.  The main person doing all of the quizzing than asked me if I would sponser him

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-70712099550575421482010-07-19T14:25:00.000-04:002010-07-19T14:25:30.414-04:00

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-69273544375297388672010-07-07T11:15:00.001-04:002010-07-07T11:26:35.204-04:00

Mark with his cousin Mark with the twins

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-4014651602989616402010-06-26T08:27:00.000-04:002010-06-26T08:27:58.283-04:00

M

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-73572949730621837832010-06-23T16:16:00.000-04:002010-06-23T16:16:26.689-04:00

 We watched Google Baby last week and my husband Colin said he was bored.  It dragged on in some spots a little too long.  Even though we knew almost all of the people in the film and were happy to see them on TV. One cannot film a document in India with the "Mother" of surrogacy, Dr. Patel and she had a leading role.  I felt like a lot was missing from the film.  Doron, who is the main character

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-41803289034483449422010-06-16T15:16:00.000-04:002010-06-16T15:16:25.201-04:00

HBO Pregnant Indian women at Dr. Navna Patel’s surrogacy clinic. In 2006, Israeli documentarian Zippi Brand Frank was studying as a Neiman Journalism Fellow at Harvard University when she became fascinated by the campus’ bulletin boards. She noticed an increasing number of ads calling for women’s embryos (tall, attractive and with good SAT scores only, please) being plastered all over

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-69920243596968896612010-06-16T00:17:00.001-04:002010-06-16T08:20:10.503-04:00

Google Baby' Follows Birth Outsourced To India June 15, 2010 Listen to the Story Talk of the Nation [17 min 1 sec] Add to Playlist Download text size A A A June 15, 2010 The documentary Google Baby explores what happens when surrogacy meets international outsourcing. The same process that can cost more than $100,000 in the U.S. can be done in India for $6,000. Director Zippi

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-16595516143703880642010-06-15T23:58:00.000-04:002010-06-15T23:58:19.075-04:00

Thank you all for the private e-mails as well as the posts, regarding our current news.  I will post any new info that I get.  It is close to mid-night on the east coast, so if I have the energy I will call Dr. Nayana  in the morning because I would like to know the heart beats of the babies.  For some reason, I didn't get them with the last report, so I'm not sure if at 7 weeks (June 10th) was

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-84035422684863678742010-06-14T08:38:00.000-04:002010-06-14T08:38:55.354-04:00

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-88767055527574723772010-05-21T07:56:00.000-04:002010-05-21T07:56:44.732-04:00

The second beta number is 1202.61, so it doubled. 

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-46794433151432044722010-05-19T06:49:00.000-04:002010-05-19T06:49:13.407-04:00

Dear Crystal, Hello, CONGRATULATION !!! Nayna has a Positive result. Beta HCG is 604.76. Here with attached report. Dr. Nayana Patel Akanksha IVF Center Kaival Hospital, Anand, Gujarat 388001 Ph: +91.269.225.3789

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-44118496907584750442010-05-08T09:52:00.000-04:002010-05-08T09:52:04.638-04:00

Here they are!!

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-74119609495547661072010-05-07T22:32:00.000-04:002010-05-07T22:32:34.710-04:00

Well, the transfer was suspose to happen on May 5th, but I have yet to hear if it took place.  I'm assuming that it did, but you know what they say about those who assume.  This week has not been a great, so I'm hoping for some good news.

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-65980573993208979532010-05-03T23:16:00.007-04:002010-05-03T23:26:27.149-04:00

Within the next 48 hours, Dr. Nayana Patel will implant our surrogate.  I didn't think for one moment that I would be anxious, but it is close to mid-night and my mind is racing.  Did we do the right thing shipping frozen sperm?  Colin was sick when he made his deposits at the cyrobank.  Mark was born due to Colin's frozen sperm, so there is hope.  We seem to be less excited, although we

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-26012464881596202382010-04-16T08:20:00.000-04:002010-04-16T08:20:16.983-04:00

I have been tracking our container that is on its way to Gujarat, India.  Today is day 2 that is has been sitting in the airport in New Delhi.  I have already sent out e-mails in the hopes of getting this shipment moving...so I will let everyone know when it arrives. I'm already anxious about the situation......

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-20176217464549005502010-04-15T11:00:00.000-04:002010-04-15T11:00:54.782-04:00

It has been a long time since I last posted.  As many know I have been to India and back.  I went with a client to Anand, and as luck would have it, they received a positive.  Dr. Nayana and Dr. Hitesch Patel were wonderful to me as always.  I was able to visit with a number of surrogates and report back to the intended parents about the their babies.  It was an honor to be able to hold a

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-31280197330721952222010-03-13T23:15:00.000-05:002010-03-13T23:15:08.160-05:00

I'm back in India, and I'm at the Madhubhan Resort in Anand.  It was so great arriving yesterday and seeing so many people that I have come to know.  Today will be a day when I just take time to reflect and possibly get in a bathing suit and hang out by the pool.  Yesterday I got to hang out a bit with Dr. Patel and took photos of some of the surrogates while they were being scanned.  Currently

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-88757941059987563082010-03-02T23:36:00.005-05:002010-03-03T10:20:32.447-05:00

After reading the Mother Jones article by Scott Carney, once again I felt nauseated by another American journalist who totally refused to honestly do his homework. The surrogate house in Anand is far better than the housing that the majority of surrogates come from. They are given nutritious meals and a clean bed, as well as an education. This compares well to other clinics. I'm aware of a

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-30641394353392251122010-02-27T20:15:00.003-05:002010-02-27T21:11:56.243-05:00

This post has one picture of Mark and a bunch of pictures from my trip to India.  Many of them are from the wedding of Dr. Patel's daughter, but we start with a picture of Mark looking off to the side while eating a bagel.  The wedding was in Anand, which is in the state of Gujarat in the northwest of India.  The other locations where these pictures were taken are Jaipur, Delhi and Agra.  All of

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-20865386111062965162010-02-26T11:13:00.001-05:002010-02-26T23:44:45.115-05:00

On my last trip to India, out of the blue I asked a BBC reporter if India had Africians. I really had no idea why I even asked the question, and was shocked by his reply. Yes, they do have an African population and they are known as Siddi's. They are descedants of the ethiopians. I vowed to myself that on my next trip that I would make a point to go and visit the community myself and take

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-86102343763311266272010-02-15T00:39:00.000-05:002010-02-15T00:39:00.304-05:00

I'm unable to sleep so I thought it would be a good time to blog. After much snow here on the east coast, I was having a bit of cabin fever so I thought this would be a good day to hit the mall. My drug of choice would be White Flint Mall, because I like that Talbot's store. I arrived around 11:10 not realizing that the stores in the mall open at noon on Sunday. Cheescake factory restaurant

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-42700402684135610242010-02-03T23:04:00.002-05:002010-02-03T23:12:31.519-05:00

I'm headed back to India in March, and at this point with the cold weather that we have been having it might be a welcome relief. I will check on Najla's surrogate and take some photo's for those who would like to see how their surrogates are doing. It will be nice to sit down the Nayana and Hitesh and see how things are getting on at the clinic. If time permits, I will take a trip to Delhi

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-75648970319812994482010-01-29T21:55:00.002-05:002010-01-29T21:58:05.954-05:00

We have decided that Colin will fly to India, it is not worth of hassle of shipping, because you do not have any guarantees.

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-20076005861339631742010-01-29T15:30:00.002-05:002010-01-29T15:43:35.566-05:00

It looks like we will have to ship Colin's sperm, because he is to busy at work to make the trip to India. I thought I would be able to carry the tank on the plane, but the tank weighs 28 pounds, and I cannot get a gaurantee from customs in India that I will not be hassled. With this said, more than likely I will be on a plane for India in March, for its arrival. The cost is actually not that

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-78169950226146261602010-01-20T21:11:00.003-05:002010-01-20T21:15:07.128-05:00

My best friend (Najla) has a surrogate that is pregnant in Anand. Thanks Nayana for taking care of my buddy. It looks like she has twins. Mark is also feeling better from his surgery (Penile Cordee). This is common in twins. It looks like I might be back in India in March, and it is starting to feel like a second home.

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-70484225684989553942010-01-14T16:00:00.005-05:002010-01-14T16:23:00.800-05:00

Sitting with the palm reader at the Rumbaugh Palace in India, was a treat and one that I will not forget. I'm already wondering if the new year will bring about any of the predictions that were discussed in December. So far this year I had a birthday on the 10th, and Mark has surgery on the 11th. Today Mark is 15 months old, and is acting like a two year old. Daycare has been a godsend. I see the

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-65980211290541692722009-11-28T11:11:00.002-05:002009-11-28T11:38:02.941-05:00

Beth and I made it through the wedding, which lasted for 3 days in Anand. We had sari's made in Delhi, and they were just beautiful. We missed the first night of the wedding, which consisted of the surrogates performing an act for the bride and bride groom. The second night of the wedding was the Mehndi party, which I loved and will most likely get a touch up on before we leave to come back

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-21475550184680244302009-11-17T23:51:00.002-05:002009-11-18T00:06:07.591-05:00

I leave for India this week-end with a girlfriend, and our main reason for going is the wedding of the Patel's daughter. This trip for me, stirs up a lot of emotions, but the emotions are differnt from those that I had when Mark was born October 2008. This will be my first Hindu wedding, and I truly look forward to this exciting event, and will share it with all those who might be intersted. I

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-50200339168872986932009-11-02T21:40:00.003-05:002009-11-02T21:44:48.029-05:00

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-28949786004425779922009-10-31T20:44:00.003-04:002009-10-31T21:37:17.413-04:00

It seems like forever since I have blogged and Mark turned one on October 15th. We had a great birthday party for him last week-end, although he had no clue about what was happening around him. He had a year of many firsts, such as going to the West Wing of the White House, being a model in a Nordstom's show and flying to the West Coast at four months old. And tonight he was a dalmation puppy

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-92097626949117959642009-08-25T21:36:00.003-04:002009-08-25T22:32:14.449-04:00

Most people know who have read my posts know that our son Mark was born in India. In my quiet moments, I ask myself if I knew then what I know now, would I have gone to India. Honestly, I don't think I would have, I just would have been too afraid. The realities of surrogacy are the following: some clinics use prositutes as I have been informed by a prominent agency, some where the doctors are

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-46540733033797313682009-08-22T23:12:00.004-04:002009-08-22T23:32:47.322-04:00

I found a web site that has fonts you can install for titles and dates on your blog. I installed one called "milk". Here is how you do it (using whatever font you like):1. Go to this tutorial for installing a font on KevinAndAmanda.com2. Follow the very clear directions on the tutorial.Expect to do uploads, downloads, make a site on webs.com and paste HTML into your blog's template. It's all

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-4059498904507216972009-07-03T10:47:00.005-04:002009-07-03T11:16:50.934-04:00

We heard from Millie and Terie, Autralian clients of Dr. Patel in Anand, Gujarat, India. From their experience getting a newborn surrogate baby from Dr. Patel's clinic, they have provided a PDF file that I would like to attach to this post. This file explains procedures for getting surrogate babies from India to Austrtalia.However, only cool multimedia things like videos can be attached to a blog

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-65141756449633693162009-06-30T22:51:00.000-04:002009-06-30T22:55:48.356-04:00

We will have our answer by July 9th!

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-33195164029551892322009-06-18T19:48:00.004-04:002009-06-18T20:29:05.478-04:00

Najla and I awoke to an e-mail this morning from Dr. Patel, explaining that she did not like the look of the eggs of Najla's donor. Lucky for us Dr. Patel keeps extra egg donor's and surrogates ready for events such as these. After several telephone calls back and forth to Najla, then Najla to India, it looks like next week, the retrival will take place.To my surprise we also have a new egg donor

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-9052877157711008102009-06-17T20:32:00.003-04:002009-06-17T21:30:36.748-04:00

Tonight while Najla's family and my family are tucked in bed safely asleep, two women in India will have their eggs removed, for the benefit of our families. This week, has been one of a lot of uncertainties along with a certain amount of stress, even though we are thousands of miles away. What happens if our surrogates end up with twins? Will either one of us reduce? Are the surrogates strong

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-83074920143269639352009-06-12T22:59:00.012-04:002009-06-13T00:44:10.423-04:00

I woke up this morning to a message on Facebook, from someone that I grew up with 30 years ago. This invoked a lot of memories, that have been stirring in my subconscious all day long. My friend, Patty informed me that she had named one of her daughters after me, and wondered if her daughter would ever meet her namesake. Patty's two daughters have children of their own, and Patty is a

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-81597457376233982722009-06-03T21:54:00.005-04:002009-06-03T22:59:05.899-04:00

As I sit in my office listening to the rain pounding the roof, my mind drifts off to our Sunday morning breakfast at Goldberg's New York Bagels located in Pikesville, MD. Before Mark was born, I would get in my car and go every Sunday. To my surprise Colin, woke me up and said that he wanted to go, and get bagels and that we would take Mark. It's intresting to go to a place that is frequented

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-37970825309733127582009-05-27T08:47:00.002-04:002009-05-27T19:40:10.798-04:00

I thought about my father often over the Memorial Weekend, because he fought in World War II. His photo, at left, sits on the table at the entrance of my home. My father never talked about the war, and I'm not even sure what his position was while serving in the army. I will talk to my brother about it, because I'm curious. Over the years, I read the letters that he would send to my mom, from

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-56038913595387147672009-05-19T13:46:00.006-04:002009-05-19T15:05:51.533-04:00

I have wanted to write to you for a long time, but now that I have a son, I want him to have a general idea of who you are. I'm 47 years old, and have a son named Mark, who was born in Anand, India. Although we have met, less than a handful of times, I don't know much about you except from what I have pieced togather. You are between 65-67 years old, and your mother left you, just as you left

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-6218590128581206842009-05-15T22:11:00.003-04:002009-05-15T22:26:42.011-04:00

We took a picture of our son, Mark, in April 2009 during a visit to his grandparents' house in New Jersey. Here he is dressed up as a wannabe tennis star. He will be taking lessons from his grandpa, Eion McRae. Eion is already gearing up for the challenge by scheduling extra lessons with his coach, Mitchell.If tennis doesn't work out there is always chess. Mark's father, Colin, has played

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-15967802155574061542009-05-15T15:12:00.002-04:002009-05-15T15:16:29.588-04:00

Gobbler Hosting

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-34941034418416962012009-05-15T11:35:00.003-04:002009-05-15T12:31:49.454-04:00

Yesterday, Mark and I went meet my girlfriend for lunch at a popular spot in Columbia, Md. As soon as we walked into the door and saw my girlfriend she immediately reached out to hold Mark because she had not seen him in a couple of weeks. When we got to the counter for the young girl to take our order, she immediately asked my girlfriend who is 20 years older than me how old Mark was. My

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-66412363739820056512009-05-14T09:34:00.000-04:002009-05-14T09:47:56.478-04:00

I thought it was about time, that I started blogging. Which leads to me question myself....like who cares what I write about? Well for starters, Me! I follow other people's blogs, and my favorite is Mike and Mike. I'm really starting this so that I can keep a record to one day give my children. Currently we have a son named Mark, who will be 7 months old tomorrow. The past couple of weeks,

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7683857837576125890.post-43562290836892856492009-05-11T12:27:00.000-04:002009-05-11T12:42:18.835-04:00

crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561854001295631045noreply@blogger.com0