Shades of Shey

Shades of Shey Step into the world of "Shades of Shey," a page that mirrors the multifaceted essence of who I am!

A quick little trip to see my sister () and family! Oh, how I missed them! 🫶🏼 Athena absolutely adores her cousins, and ...
07/29/2025

A quick little trip to see my sister () and family! Oh, how I missed them! 🫶🏼

Athena absolutely adores her cousins, and Ares has gotten so big!

While the trip has been quick, it was filled with love, laughter, and happiness!

Shout out/brag post to my trainer, ✨️As some of you may know, the first half of the surrogate pregnancy was SO hard for...
07/29/2025

Shout out/brag post to my trainer, ✨️

As some of you may know, the first half of the surrogate pregnancy was SO hard for me. My 5th pregnancy, carrying a baby not genetically related to me, a pregnancy from IVF with my tubes tied, I was older, my lifestyle was different, I felt sicker, and I was gaining weight faster than ever in my life (pregnant or not).

At 19 weeks, I had already gained almost 25 lbs. With my previous pregnancies, 25 lbs was my typical total pregnancy weight gain. You could imagine my surprise, discomfort, and frustration.

I thought, 'Is there even such a thing as a personal trainer for pregnant women?' So I posted in my local moms page and found Allison!

Immediately, Allison was kind, genuine, and made me feel totally comfortable. We chatted over messenger, then scheduled a video call to discuss if her program would be the right fit for me. IT ABSOLUTELY WAS & STILL IS!

I started in her program 4/7/2025, at 23 weeks pregnant, and with a solid 25 lbs gained from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Allison set me up with her app and a personalized plan for ME! Something to work in my life, with my lifestyle. She is incredibly talented and knowledgeable about health, fitness, pregnancy, and women in general! She listened to me, she asked for feedback, she made adjustments to my program, she taught and educated me, she supported me, and she encouraged me! What more can you ask for?!

I swear her program and guidance made the 2nd half of the pregnancy SO much better. Here are some of the benefits I noticed:
- SLOWED weight gain
- My clothes fit better
- My skin is so clear
- I passed the gestational diabetes test (in a healthy range)
- I had ZERO swelling in my legs/feet during the pregnancy
- I lost inches in my arms
- I developed healthier habits that fit in my life
- I had the easiest, quickest, and smoothest birthing experience

If you've made it this far in my post and you're interested in a happier and healthier you... You've got to check out Allison's page! She is truly amazing!

Her page: https://www.instagram.com/allisonkennedyfitness?igsh=OXRrMXdteDFsb29t

UMM, EXCUSE ME?! Could this picture be any more perfect? January 2024, I pulled the trigger and applied to an agency to ...
07/26/2025

UMM, EXCUSE ME?! Could this picture be any more perfect?

January 2024, I pulled the trigger and applied to an agency to be a surrogate mother (gestational carrier).

Between February and May 2024, I worked through all of the initial steps (i.e., intake phone calls, initial doctor appointments, blood work, psychological evaluations, collecting medical records, etc.)

By May 2024, my matching profile was live, and we were ready for matching. I initially turned down the first IP profile, as they didn't meet some of the things I was looking for in a match.

By the end of June 2024, we were sent our current IPs profile, they checked all the boxes for me (i.e., no previous children, different nationality/culture than my family), and we officially matched in July 2024.

From August to September 2024, I worked through the next steps with the IPs IVF clinic to be medically cleared to carry for them. Once I was medically cleared, we moved to the legal phase.

In October 2024, we reviewed, revised, and signed our contracts. Once the legal contract is complete, the next step is the IVF calendar for transfer based on my next cycle, which happens to fall perfectly on November 1, 2024.

November 2024 involved IVF meds, monitoring, and an embryo transfer on November 16, 2024, that resulted in a positive pregnancy.

My body carried baby Elise from November 16, 2024 to July 23, 2025.

And her birthday, July 23, 2025, is the first day her mother and father got to carry her in their arms.

As I was being discharged from hospital on July 24, 2025, I went to their hospital room to say good-bye. The hospital photographer was there taking photos and asked if we'd please take one together. She positioned us this way, snapped a few photos, and I said good-bye.

A final surrogacy journey picture of baby Elise in the arms of her mother with their surrogate carrier gently hugging them both before leaving the hospital.

A picture captured on July 24, 2025, exactly one-year after we had our matching call and agreed to move forward with each other that happened on July 24, 2024. 🫶🏼

07/25/2025

Some wholesome family cruisin in our neighborhood!

If you catch Trey's wink, who do you think he was winking at? Me or his dad? Lol

These are absolutely precious! 🫶🏼A few group pictures with both of our families before I'm discharged today! Baby Elise ...
07/24/2025

These are absolutely precious! 🫶🏼

A few group pictures with both of our families before I'm discharged today! Baby Elise and family are doing well and have another day before they're discharged!

Got special permission to share pictures and baby girl's name 🫶🏼 Her official name is Elise Zhibai. Elise is her English...
07/24/2025

Got special permission to share pictures and baby girl's name 🫶🏼

Her official name is Elise Zhibai. Elise is her English name, while Zhibai (pronounced 'Jee bye') is her Chinese name!

Born 7/23/2025 at 12:09pm, weighing 6lb 2oz, and measuring 19in long.

I'm so grateful to her parents for trusting me to be a part of their story! I'm also incredibly grateful to have and to share these pictures. Every single one is a captured memory with so much meaning for me.

Delivery day is my most favorite part of being a surrogate mother! Witnessing the look on the parent's faces the moment they get to see their brand new baby is what makes every part of the journey so worth it ✨️

WHEW! Could this truly be a 4-hour post-delivery picture?! After nearly 0 signs/symptoms over the last week and minimal ...
07/23/2025

WHEW! Could this truly be a 4-hour post-delivery picture?!

After nearly 0 signs/symptoms over the last week and minimal to no progression of my cervix (stuck at 1cm for 2 whole weeks), I didn't think baby girl was going to come out on her own.

BUT... right before 8am this morning (7/23), I started to feel those 'real' labor contractions. Decided I would track them in my app for 1 hour. From 8am-9am, I labored in my bed and tracked every contraction. They came every 2-3 minutes and lasted 40-60 seconds each. By 9am, I told Thomas and the IPs we were going in to be checked at triage, and we'll see if they admit me or send me home. I thought, could this really be it??

We arrived at the hospital a little after 9am, I was in tears from the pain (because I'm a big dramatic baby), and was admitted by 9:26am at 5cm. Text the IPs to come!

They got my IV in, medication running, and epidural ordered within the next hour or so! By 11am, the parents were there, and it was time to wait for the magic to happen. Next check scheduled for 1pm. But we didn't make it. I felt that 'it's time to push feeling' and called the nurse. She checked me at 12:06pm, midwife and parents ran into room by 12:07pm, and baby girl was out by 12:09pm! No one could believe it. Not even me.

The mom held my hand, smiling at her new daughter, as they cleaned baby girl up on my belly for the delayed cord clamping. Then the dad of baby girl came and cut the cord!

Everything was truly perfect!! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect surrogate birthing story!!

As for me, I'm doing great! I feel physically amazing, and I'm just so so so happy for the family!!

Today IS the DAY! Baby delivery day!!! 🫶🏼
07/23/2025

Today IS the DAY!

Baby delivery day!!! 🫶🏼

Due to low iron/anemia, I have to have an iron infusion today! Wahh 😬😵‍💫😫
07/22/2025

Due to low iron/anemia, I have to have an iron infusion today! Wahh 😬😵‍💫😫

Had my last prenatal OBGYN appointment this morning! Still 1 cm dilatedNow 70-80% effaced & baby girl has moved down mor...
07/22/2025

Had my last prenatal OBGYN appointment this morning!

Still 1 cm dilated
Now 70-80% effaced
& baby girl has moved down more

Induction is still scheduled for Monday 7/28 unless she arrives earlier (which I'm doubting more and more everyday LOL)

07/19/2025

& &
❤️🩷💚

Address

Huntersville, NC
28078

Telephone

+13864510982

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shades of Shey posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Shades of Shey:

Shortcuts

Share

Category