Twins!

This email {letter} was sent to family & friends when we found out we were having twins.

Hello! 

Hope everyone is doing well! I am writing to give an update on everything in the Hart household. First off, Greg & I are doing well (pups, too)! 

Angela has been doing alright with her pregnancy. However, she went in for an emergency ultrasound, b/c of some pain, this morning & 

WE ARE HAVING TWINS!! 

Yes, you read that correctly... there are two babies!!! They measured 11 wks 1 day (3 days further along than we had calculated) with 169 & 171 bpm heartbeats... the tech said they looked perfect. Angela told me that they were moving all around & having a good time!! Angela asked if there was anyway she could lose one and the tech told her "no" & that she was too close to the 2nd trimester for that to be an issue. 

We really have no idea how this was missed at the 8 wk ultrasound-- the second baby must have been hiding or something ?!  

But we're elated!!

“For this child we have prayed"

The following is an email [letter] we sent to family & friends announcing our pregnancy & asking for their blessing. 

Greg and I are blessed beyond words to have such wonderful family & friends. With the love and support from those around us we have been able to grow as a couple, and now as a family.

Due to my congenital heart condition, pregnancy has been challenging for us. After my miscarriages, the cardiologist reviewed my medical records and determined that I would never carry a child to term. Because my heart is too weak, she strongly suggested that we explore alternative methods for becoming parents.

Greg and I researched many options and discussed adoption in detail. We ultimately decided on gestational surrogacy so we can raise our biological child. I emailed Angela (our surrogate) and explained our situation. Then, I prayed that she would respond. A few days later, she answered my email and told us about herself: she has been married for 19+ years, is a mother of 3, an IV nurse at Pittsburgh Children’s hospital, and has been a surrogate for 3 other families. After meeting with her in West Virginia, Greg & I knew that she was the perfect surrogate for us.

In February 2012, I began the fertility treatments & the cycle was rough. However, on March 1^st we transferred two embryos. Unfortunately, the embryos were not strong enough and the pregnancy did not come to fruition. Because the clinic is in North Carolina, on May 13^th I went to stay with Sheri (my sister-in- law) and started the second round of treatments. On June 4^th we transferred 2 perfect embryos! On July 9^th an ultrasound confirmed our pregnancy & showed a very healthy 8 week old baby with a heartbeat of 165 beats per minute!!

Although it’s been a long and trying road over the past 2 years, we are happy to announce our pregnancy and hope that you will share in the joy of this journey!!