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Thrilled with her life as a single mom, Kim decided to try for a second child in 2012. This time, however, after many failed attempts, doctors told her the fibroids were making it nearly impossible for her to get pregnant. Kim was devastated but still determined. Considering surrogacy, she spoke with her family about her plans -- and was blown away when her cousin's 26-year-old daughter, Cydnee (a mother of two), nominated herself for the job!
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The process wasn't easy, but in July of 2015, Cydnee finally conceived. By then, Kim was married to man she met and married after starting the surrogacy process. When Kim's son, Oliver, was born recently, the mom made sure to have photographer Leilani Rogers on hand to capture the amazingly momentous family occasion.
"I was inspired to share these photos because I felt they captured the true joy and happiness that this birth and my surrogate have given my family and me," Kim told CafeMom.
"The birth was beautiful, special, and amazing to us all. If sharing the pictures can help make others feel good about the surrogacy route, or give hope to someone experiencing infertility, or hope to the solo starter, then awesome!"
These photos definitely are doing all that, and then some! Read through this slideshow to see what we mean, and check out Kim's blog to find out more about her story.
Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Here we see Kim sitting by Cydnee's side, just minutes away from welcoming her new son into the world!
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
The look on Kim's face as she sees Oliver's head start to crown is priceless!
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
And it's the moment everyone waited for ... Oliver's big debut! Hey there, little guy!!
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
There is simply nothing more beautiful than the smile of a mom who's meeting her baby for the very first time.
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Could that be the hint of a first smile we see?
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Oliver's big brothers (Kim's first son and her husband's son) look simply delighted -- and a bit astonished -- to meet their tiny sibling!
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Grandma and Cydnee's boyfriend were pretty thrilled to make Oliver's acquaintance, too!
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Kim got a heartfelt congratulations from her cousin Ericka (Cydnee's mom!). Awww.
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Kim's husband Jason showing Cydnee his appreciation for an incredible job well done.
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
What a perfect picture: this new family of five all together for the first time. Although it looks like Kim is nursing the baby here, he’s just laying on her for some skin-to-skin bonding. (For feeding, Cydnee hand expressed the initial colostrum, then began pumping.)
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Cydnee's mom shows her (most likely exhausted!) daughter some support. So sweet.
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
Check out that head of hair! Congratulations to this lovely family on their gorgeous new addition.
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Image courtesy Leilani Rogers
"I embraced Cydnee and began to cry three years worth of tears. I was beyond grateful for her incredibly selfless act, and relieved that the long haul was finally over."
