Boca and Claude

Boca is our somewhat excitable but extremely lovable 3 year old golden retriever.
Claude is our reclusive and frequently disagreeable 5 year old cat.

I wonder how these guys will adjust to a baby.

Claude is just now forgiving us for bringing Boca home as a puppy.

So much to think about.....

To tell or not to tell...

We have decided to tell.
Forever Aunt Dawn will be known as a very special person who made the baby a possibility.
There has been so much sadness and anger generated by those who refuse to tell the truth, but even more by those who choose not to accept it.
For those who wish to celebrate our chance at bringing new life into the world, you are welcome in our home.
To those who want to talk about us or judge us, please stay away and kindly keep you thoughts to yourself!

What about the left-overs?

Wow talk about getting the cart before the horse. I am not even pregnant, but I am concerned about what to do with the left-over embryos.

This may sound silly, especially given my known and sometimes rather verbose political affiliation. I do not believe it is proper for me to force my personal preferences on the world, but that being said, I have very clear ideas about what I feel is acceptable and unacceptable behavior for myself and the moral implications of my choices.

So we have eggs that are graciously donated by my sister, sperm contributed by my husband and injected into said eggs, and resulting embryos that are very precious. One of these may be the child we so desperately want. How can I say the others are less precious or less wanted?

Snowflakes, embryo adoption or donation, are all possibilities, but the thought of a baby out there somewhere that may have been a member of our family is overwhelming....so much to think about.

The Big What IFs....

What if this does not work?
What if the baby has something wrong with it?
What if I get pregnant and then miscarry?
What if I am as ill during this pregnancy as I was during my pregnancy with my daughter?
What if we never have a child together?

What if this works and it is one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives?

My husband so wisely adds, what if we have triplets or twins?

So much to think about!

Birth Control Pills and Suppression

So any other normal human being has a wonderful menses free month when on BCP, well that being said....this month has been a nightmare! I spotted for 3 days before my period began, had a full cycle, and have not stopped spotting since. This has bought me several calls to the the MD, and new BCP prescription, a trip to see the MD on Christmas Eve, an extra ultrasound, and 3 weeks of worry. I am seriously considering buying stock in Playtex and Always!

Did I mention it has been cold here lately, I told my husband I am probably freezing all the time because I am anemic from all the blood loss. I am not sure he believes me.

Thank God for space heaters and sweats!

I am so happy these pills will stop on Friday, January the 4th! Hooray!

Sister-in-law please get knocked-up soon

I am already trying to plan for child care, if only my sister-in-law gets pregnant soon, we can share child rearing responsibilities! Thus defraying cost and worry at the same time!

She already thinks we should all move into a commune, I am not so sure I do not disagree! The only problem is that she and my brother-in-law just bought a house in Oakland, and we are suburbanites. Sigh..oh well I can dream, can't I?

Funny story

My sister is a social worker for the Department of Human Services AKA the Welfare Department. She has many interesting "clients" and funny stories to tell. One of the best stories involves the work-up for the egg donation. She calls her OB/GYN to schedule some routine STD screening required for all donors, and who answers the phone, but one of her former clients. The tests in question are cultures for
chlamydia and Gonorrhea. She said she was so embarrassed that she felt like she had to share the entire story with her.

of course we were all relieved to hear they came back negative!