Since we started the week celebrating Randi’s ‘retirement’ journey, we couldn’t think of a better way to throw it back this Thursday than this photo of her and Carol with her first surro-family from the 2010 BFI Picnic. 
Annette’s Birth Story
Confident and easy going. Those words best describe Annette. She was certain she would become pregnant with the first attempt, and she was! When we hit a snag in the pregnancy, Vasa Previa, like everyth
ing else she took it in stride. She listened intently to the doctor as she explained how the remainder of her pregnancy would be. And then she was thrown another curveball….COVID-19!!!
No surprise to us, she also managed that beautifully. On April 4, 2020, at 34 weeks gestation with her daughter by her side, she gave birth to a super healthy baby boy weighing 5 lbs!! He was sure to be over 8 lbs if we had gone to term!
Look for Annette’s story in the coming weeks as she shares her pregnancy adventures during COVID-19.
May 2020 Bios of the Month
Maritza
Maritza had a teacher in High School that was a surrogate and was immediately inspired. Her goals for a long while has been to learn more about autism and how she can better assist children/teens with special needs. She knows that she can help in a meaningful way. She loves serving and helping others so it’s no surprise that she makes a great Surrogate!
She is a proud mom to Alexa age 9 and Ivan, age 7. Her belief is that time is the most valuable thing in the world, so make the best out of it. Follow your dreams!
Aleza
Meet Aleza…another one of our amazing surrogates! Although Aleza’s 3 boys keep her busy, she always has high energy and a positive attitude. She and her husband, Eusebio, make a great team in the real estate world and in their home. They love taking the family on quick road trips and hiking here in Southern California.
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She says the happiest time of her life was when she gave birth to her first child, stating that at that moment she learned what unconditional love felt like. It’s no wonder why she wanted to gift that feeling to a deserving couple!
Randi’s Final Birth Story
So, believe it or not, Randi has entered retirement. No, not the type where she can apply for Medicaid, lol, that is a long way off. She has delivered her last baby. This historic event occurred on March 27, 2020 minutes after she was admitted to the hospital. That’s right, minutes! The perfect baby girl arrived weighing 7lb 15oz and was a long 21.5 inches!!
This was a sibling journey and she joins her older sister that Randi delivered in January 2018. And something that makes her last journey even more amazing is that she is also Randi’s namesake! “Lin” is now two special ladies’ middle name! Well, Baby is not a lady yet, but you get my meaning!
Join us at BFI in honoring Randi for making such a difference in the world by bringing these kids into the world:
L.S. & J.S. – 06.2017
B.C. – 12.2012
D.C. – 06.2015
P.M.- 01.2018
A.M. – 03.2020
A Letter from BFI About COVID-19
The health and safety of our Couples, their Surrogate Mothers and their unborn children are always our top priority. The CDC/WHO said canceling public gatherings is necessary to protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19. Our goal is to do our part to flatten the curve and to gather as much information as we can to help guide you during this time.
What does this mean for BFI?
- Until further notice, all BFI Meetings & Gatherings will be made via video conference.
- We urge everyone to cancel any unnecessary traveling.
- If available in your area, utilize free grocery pickup.
- We recommend that Intended Parents plan to arrive in California earlier than initially planned for the birth of their baby in case a quarantine will be enforced prior to allowing you into the hospital. If Intended Parents are local, please do not travel within 3 months of your child’s arrival.
- Surrogate Mothers are advised to continue attending appointments as required by their treating physician. We recommend not arriving too early for appointments so your time in the waiting room is limited. If the clinic is busy, ask for an approximate wait time and wait in your car. Remember to wash or sanitize hands immediately upon leaving the appointment.
- Until further notice, BFI will not attend appointments in person. Our Case Managers will coordinate attendance via video when possible.
- We are in contact with the IVF clinics to ensure that we are ready when it becomes safe to begin the process again.
We will be calling hospitals frequently for any new changes in protocols for deliveries. For any babies arriving in the next few months, we will contact the Intended Parents and their Surrogate Mother directly to develop a plan with your hospital.
The BFI Team has always worked remotely so our experience is vast in the virtual world. We have always and continue to be available 24/7. Please reach out to us if you have any additional questions or concerns, we are with you every step of the way!
The BFI Team
Carol Weathers – [email protected]
Randi Caporale – [email protected]
Shannon Breckner – [email protected]
Lauryn Christensen – [email protected]
It’s time to celebrate Mum!
Happy Mother’s Day, in the UK!
#mothersdayUK #gotitfrommymum #buildingfamiliesinc
Showered with Love!
It doesn’t always work out that a surrogate is able to attend her IP’s baby shower. Maritza has seen first hand how much the baby boy she’s baking is loved! 
Are you ready for your home visit?!
No dust bunnies allowed! Just kidding, it’s not a home inspection! We won’t be looking through your medicine cabinet and checking under your beds. The home visit is simply an opportunity for us to discuss the commitment involved and to review the medical process in person to ensure you and your spouse/partner have the knowledge needed to make an informed decision.
#homevisit #notaninspection #wanttobeasurrogate #surrogatejourney #buildingfamiliesinc
Angie Has Graduated!!
YAY! Angie has graduated! When a surrogate ‘graduates’ it means that she no longer has to be seen by a Reproductive Endocrinologist, but can now visit her regular OB. Another step towards her making her IP’s dreams come true!
#buildingfamiliesinc #graduationday #keeponkeepingon #isntshelovely #surrogacyrocks
Building Bonds
There are no words big enough to describe the relationship between an Intended Mother and her Surrogate so we won’t even try…
#werenotcryingyourecrying #intendedmother #surrogatemother #surrogacyrocks #nowordsjustlove #buildingfamiliesinc