I've been dreaming a lot. The other night it was that I had a baby goat and no clue how to feed it. That it was my goat was clear, but I was doing a horrible job taking care of the thing. I said in my sleep something about a bleating goat, which probably sounded a hell of a lot like bleeding goat to Lin, bemused by my side. The night after I dreamt that I had the two developing embryos in my possession, each in its own quart-sized ziploc bag and floating in liquid, which seemed reasonable at the time. Thing was, I lost and then couldn't find them. This was less a dream than a loop that replayed unceasingly throughout the night. Pregancy and parenting anxiety is strongly indicated.
It's been a great few weeks, though. Lin switched to working days, at least temporarily, so we get to do things together during the week, which is a treat. We saw a production of The Exonerated, which shook and inspired us both, we hosted a beaujolais nouveau party which evolved into a 2am dance party, we spent a weekend outside Woodstock with friends and another in Harbour Island over Thanksgiving. The holiday season is upon us -- even if it was unsettlingly 63 degrees today - and there is plenty to celebrate and be grateful for.
We had another ultrasound this past Tuesday. What Google Maps advised us would be a two-and-a-half hour drive to Norwich, Connecticut in fact took four hours, but we made it to the tail end of the appointment, in time to see those heartbeats again - still two! We also heard them in all their rabbit-fast glory! No gasp from Lin this time, but Jeanne's friend, who was also in the exam room, said our faces were something as we comprehended the sound. It was wild.
It's a delicate process, letting ourselves get excited again. Last summer's setback is increasingly in the rear-view, but we don't want to get burned again. That said, the doctor told us that the chance of an early miscarriage at this point is "very low", and he even offered us his congratulations. Which is a load off. But being at only 10-and-a-half weeks still, I expect another twisted dream or two in the near future.
At this point Jeanne has been "released" to her own doctor, and our frequent trips to Boston are at an end. The IVF clinic will be there for us if anything goes awry, but at this point it's just like any other pregnancy, with standard check-ups and appointments along the way. As aided by science as this pregnancy has been, it's now gliding into the deliciously humdrum state of: routine.
It's been fun telling a wider circle of friends and acquaintances about the pregnancy. The response is universally happy, and inspiring to us. People seem to think we're going to be pretty good parents. Maybe I can record a few saying such things, and play it back to myself as I fall asleep.
I leave for two weeks of work travel on the 19th of December, after which I'll be phasing out of the job I've had for nearly six years. With twins on the way, I won't be able to travel as I have, and new opportunities and adventures of all kinds should be unfolding in the new year. I'm excited.
Happy holidays, y'all.
Such exciting news. (Note how i eschewed the exclamation point in the spirit of cautious optimism)
Posted by: Greg | 20 December 2012 at 05:14 PM