In This Season of Giving, Read About How This New Mom Gave the Gift of Life to Another Family

We always say that it is our customer's testimonials that give us the motivation and energy to continue our mission of helping women (and soon to be men) feel comforted and dignified during their hospital stays. This new testimonial did just that and brought tears to our eyes. We think it is the perfect story to share during this holiday season.    

This new mother made a huge sacrifice to bless another family with the gift of life and we LOVE that our Annie & Isabel hospital gowns were a part of this special journey. We are sending warm wishes to the amazing Elizabeth and her family. She truly is a real life ANGEL! 

"My surrogate journey started with the movie "Baby Mama", which is nothing like the actual process, at all. My husband and I have a 2 year old little girl named Lillian and we can't imagine our lives without her. My pregnancy was a breeze and labor with her was easy, 3 hours, no epidural, and no tearing (sorry if that's TMI) As the doctor was cleaning my daughter off I looked to my husband and told him I want to give the gift of a child to another family. I felt in my heart that it was my calling to give a family their own precious little face to look at and love on. I was required to wait until I was medically cleared by my OB before I could apply for the surrogate program ConcieveAbiltities in Denver CO. 

In December of 2011, sitting in a hotel room in Denver, while my 3 months old daughter slept. I filled out my application to be a surrogate. Three weeks later I got the email saying I was invited into the program. I could not have been more excited. From that moment on it was a slow and steady process. We had our match meeting, went over the legal aspects, and signed the contracts. 

Nine months after submitting my application it was transfer day! October 15, 2012 two (yes two) perfect embryos were transferred into what we hoped would be there oven for the next 9 months, me. I was on doctor ordered bed rest for 48 hours and as soon as the bed rest was lifted I knew I was pregnant! I was short of breath and craved orange juice which were the only two symptoms I had when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. So, nine days post transfer I took a home pregnancy test and got a big fat positive. After a blood test, the doctor confirmed it, I was pregnant! Then at 8 weeks we saw 2 sacs and 2...count em.....2 heartbeats!

Through the process the intended parents were very standoffish and were excited but didn't show it. They attended none of the appointments except the hospital tour when I was 20 weeks pregnant. The disconnect between my family and the intended parents is what brought me to Annie and Isabel. 

While the other surrogates were having baby showers thrown by/for their intended parents I was home with my loving husband and daughter. Their baby showers inspired me to treat myself to a few luxury items for my delivery. I entered "designer hospital gowns" into the google search bar. There were 4 companies listed before Annie and Isabel, but their back stories and customer testimonials are what hooked me. Those and the fact they had an Elizabeth gown!

I had no hesitation in ordering my gowns (yes I got two). The sizing was easy to understand, the designs are adorable, and the gowns cover everything. Being that I'm 6 ft tall, some gowns tend to be a little short. What really sold me was the fact that the gowns had pockets. I even had a pocket sewn into my wedding dress. I have to have my phone and chap-stick at all times. 

I checked my shipment status every few hours to make sure they were on their way. I opened the box and tears filled my eyes. They were gorgeous and I knew they would help in my recovery. I gushed over them for a few days before packing them in my hospital bag to await the faithful day when I would give mom and dad their precious cargo back.

The big day came and everything went so fast. The twins were born on May 25, 2013 via c-section happy and healthy. I was wheeled into recovery where my husband was waiting for me. I remembered him kissing me on the forehead and holding my Annie gown up. "When you are able to walk I will give you your gown my princess." That was all the motivation I needed, I was in my gown just after dark.

As my husband and I walked through the hospital (sometimes 4-5 times a day) there was always a comment made or a question asked about my gown. I answered every question with joy and a smile. I wanted everybody to know what an impact a beautiful gown can have on their recovery. But the gowns were not packed away after the twins. I keep them handy for any and every hospital trip, which included my several ER visits for kidney infections caused by my catheter.

Thank you Annie and Isabel for the wonderful, beautiful, and modest gowns." 

Yours Truly,
Elizabeth  
Proud Surrogate

Rachel Welcomes 3rd Baby in Our Elizabeth Hospital Gown

If you've had the opportunity to gift an Annie & Isabel designer hospital gown, you know how good it feels to know someone you love felt dignified, pretty, and special during an often vulnerable time in the hospital. We often hear from customers that giving Annie & Isabel is much more rewarding than flowers, balloons, or magazines because of the positive impact something as simple as a hospital gown makes. Always guaranteed to bring smiles to all!  

When my high school girlfriend Rachel announced she was going to have her third baby boy, we felt so honored to be a part of her special day even though we live hundreds of miles away. Here is what she had to say about her experience wearing Annie & Isabel for TWO births, 

"I just gave birth to my third and final baby boy! He is sure a gift from Heaven! I found out I was pregnant with my third baby on Mother's Day and it couldn't have been more perfect. My husband and I had a bit of a hard time conceiving with our first child in and after a year of trying we took a break and wouldn't you know it...we were pregnant! When we decided to have another baby, we experienced the same issues. We went to a fertility specialist who immediately told us upon meeting us that we would probably not conceive naturally and that we should consider her services. She went on to tell us that our first son was probably a fluke....thanks, lady!! Leaving that place frustrated and sad, we decided to give it the good ol' college try and wait four months before we went back to the specialist. On that fourth month, in April of 2009, we found out that we were expecting another baby! When we found out it was another boy we knew we wanted to name him Lucas. To this day we have a running family joke and have nicknamed him "Flukas"! Apparently we were not as infertile as she thought. At that time, I was lucky to know two AMAZING ladies who started making beautiful hospital gowns...wink! I was able to wear one of their very first gowns, a sample Isabel gown, that didn't even have the signature lovebug on the sleeve yet. This time around, I couldn't wait to call Selena, not to tell her I was pregnant with baby #3, but to tell her exactly which gown I had my heart set on. I didn't care that I was only one day pregnant! I knew I was going to wear another gown.. and once again that specialist was wrong...AGAIN! Fast forward to December and I couldn't wait for the mail to arrive...my Elizabeth gown was here...even prettier in person. I first saw it on owner Anna when she went in for surgery for her cancer and I fell in love. I loved walking into the room and telling the nurse that I have my own gown. I felt so pretty and comfortable and clean...nobody had worn this gown except for me. I was so excited to find out that my nurse was 5 months pregnant and already she said she was going to get one for her birth. Good thing Selena put some business cards in the pocket of my gown...such a good touch! Then my doctor came in and remembered my last gown, so I gave her the other 3 business cards. She said she loves the gowns and knows some people who might love them too...who wouldn't??!! I am so proud of these two ladies, Selena and Anna, that I have know for almost 22 years! I will continue to buy these gowns for any future preggie friends. I am so lucky to have three amazing and healthy boys and hope that anyone reading this never gives up when it doesn't happen for you right away. I hope you feel as pretty in your gown as I did! It's an unforgettable day and in an Annie & Isabel gown you will definitely not be forgotten."

After the Loss of Twins Delivered at Six Months, Amy Celebrates The Miracle of a New Baby Girl!!

In February, we were SO excited to see a beautiful new mama had posted the most adorable pictures on our Annie & Isabel facebook page!  Amy looked so chic and stylish in her "Evelyn" Annie & Isabel designer hospital gown as she welcomed sweet baby Lucy Valentine.  We absolutely love when our customers post pictures on our facebook wall as it gives us great pleasure to see women enjoying their stylish hospital gowns!! 

Here is what Amy said about her experience receiving and wearing an Annie & Isabel hospital gown:

"I can't even begin to express my love for my Annie & Isabel gown.  My hubbie and I had just faced delivering little 6 month twins that we lost the previous year where I stayed in the hospital for a month and lived in my normal dreary hospital gown.  So when we were blessed on our 9th cycle of IVF with another little miracle I couldn't have been more excited to receive the most AMAZING gift from a dear friend and fellow Annie & Isabel devoted fan.  It seriously was the biggest HIT at my shower and had the entire room in oooh's and ahh's!  I was so excited to slip it on after my c-section from delivering our little miracle Lucy Valentine!!  It truly made me feel like a million bucks and I loved how bright and cheery it made me feel!  We are already back on our IVF cycles trying for another miracle!!!  Annie & Isabel, you truly made our most amazing experience in life a million times even more exciting! All thanks to you!!  

All my love, Amy xoxo"

Amy....we are keeping our fingers and toes crossed for another miracle in your family! Thanks so much for sharing your story and first pictures with us.    

UPDATE!!! June 2012

Amy and her husband Bill were once again blessed with another little miracle baby girl! She welcomed Lola Love into this world and was able to rock her Evelyn gown again! What a GORGEOUS family!!!

The Gift Of An Annie & Isabel Hospital Gown For Stephanie ~ For A Day She Never Thought She Would Have

In our opinion, the day that you are going to give birth is the most anticipated, exciting, and, in our case, photographed day of our lives! We obviously feel having your own hospital gown is a no-brainer... for so many reasons. You are the ONLY person that has ever worn it, something no one ever thinks about when sporting the hospital issued gown. You can wash it and bring the comfort and smell of home and your own beautiful hospital gown will lack the common holes, stains, and EKG stickers that are often stuck to the standard hospital gowns.

Our gowns have many other features that the standard hospital gown lacks but most importantly it completely covers the backside. Aside from these "practical" reasons... having you own Annie & Isabel hospital gown represents style and always makes a beautiful backdrop to those first photographs with your new baby. It represents how truly special this day is when you are giving birth.

When Vanessa wrote to us about her friend Stephanie's upcoming birth we were so touched to hear Stephanie's story. Below is what Stephanie had to say about her experience in her Annie & Isabel hospital gown. Congratulations Stephanie! Boys are so much fun!

First Time Mom Stephanie and Paxton Jr. "P.J."

"Having your first baby is a significant milestone for anyone. My pregnancy was a very special experience because not too long ago my husband and I thought we'd never be able to have children of our own and were planning to adopt. When I became pregnant it was such a great surprise and I wanted to savor every moment. I received my Annie gown as a gift from my dear friend Vanessa. My favorite color is pink, so needless to say, I was thrilled when I opened the package and saw the pink gown with polka dots! I washed it immediately and packed it in my suitcase. I didn't wear it during labor (I didn't want it to get soiled!) so I saved it for the next two days in the hospital. It was so nice being able to change into a fresh gown that was mine! Not only was it comfortable and easy to breastfeed in, it was so nice to feel pretty when receiving guests and showing off my new baby boy. I got so many compliments on it. Thank you so much for adding to my already wonderful adventure!"