Gametes In Love

When Kelly took photos of G when he was about 8 weeks old, she took a great picture of him over S’ arm. We had it printed on canvas. Because it was such a cool photo, we wanted to do it again with S2. So today I did. We put S2 facing the other direction on a white background vs. the black. My Canvas-On-Demand order should be arriving in a few weeks. I can’t wait to hang them together.

My two boys: butt to butt.

PS. Although S2 is a little older than G, gestationally they are about the same age when these pics was taken.

… to quote the memorable Adam Sandler.

I received a note from the clinic that will be performing my NT scan tomorrow. It was a very pleasant, informative letter on the genetic testing that will be performed, how and when it will all be done, etc. All is well and good, until I read this line: “this screen provides individualized information about your baby’s risk of Down syndrome by combining your age, results ….” Wait a minute!!!

My age??? My age when? Now, or when this baby was conceived?

So I called the number at the bottom of the letter, which encouraged me to call should I have any questions. My conversation went something like this:

Me: Yes, I was calling to ask for more information on the genetic screening. You indicated that maternal age is a risk factor. Is that current maternal age, or the maternal age when the child was conceived? Because my child was conceived 2.5 years ago!

Her: Uhmn…. let me have you talk to one of our nurses.

Yeah, I’m sure there was some head scratching going on. Ensue conversation on fertility treatments, and being transferred over to a nurse.

Here’s the part that got me. The nurse asked “Well, did you tell us that you had a donor egg?”

Me: No. We didn’t use a donor. It was my egg.

Nurse: Well, the donor question also applies to embryos used in frozen cycles too.

REALLY? Well then frikkin’ say so, because when the phlebotomist took my blood and asked me about using a donor she was oblivious to other applications of that question. As was I — the scope of the question is pretty darn narrow. I responded “No.” (since it WAS my egg & S’ soldiers), but that we did go through IVF. No further questions were asked. No “Did you use previously frozen eggs, sperm or embryos?” Nothing.

So tomorrow when we get our preliminary results we’ll need them to re-run the calculation with my adjusted age. Also that they’ll need to inform the state of the change.

Fun stuff!

I’m looking forward to the scan though. Wish us (and most importantly the wee one) a healthy bill o’health.

I’m not an actively vengeful person, but I think there is something to be said about pregnancy hormones and associated rage.

Now when someone makes me mad it makes me want to sneak some iron supplements in their drink: so they can get backed up for a few days. It’s just a “little evil”, and a pregnancy joy I’m happy to have someone else experience… esp. if they’re of the male persuasion.

Please note that I would NEVER tamper with anyone’s food, drink, employ, or mode of transportation. However, in my hormonal pregnancy fantasies I sure want to.

How far along: 12w
Weight: me = 126.2; baby = 1/2 oz
Baby size: 2″ tall
Sleep: Pretty decent actually. Still welcoming a nap in the middle of the day whenever possible
Movement: Nada
Feeling: You know? Overall? Good! I haven’t thrown up since last Sun evening, and even though I’ve had moments of feeling queasy, still my best week since the yickies started. I’m hoping this will be a continually improving trend.
What I miss: Nothing right now. I’m feeling pretty good.
What I am looking forward to: Coming out at work. One more week until we do that though.
Food cravings: I fought the pickles… and the pickles won. Yes, hardy har har. Pregnant woman and her pickle. Laugh it up!
Fetal development:
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. The baby’s fingers will soon begin to open and close, its toes will curl, its eye muscles will clench, and its mouth will make sucking movements. Its intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into its abdominal cavity about now, and its kidneys will begin excreting urine into its bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in the baby’s brain, synapses are forming furiously. Its face looks unquestionably human: its eyes have moved from the sides to the front of its head, and its ears are right where they should be.