Donor Egg: Second Go Around

It occurred to me today I haven't thought too much about it this time at all.  This has been a fairly easy breezy pregnancy apart from the morning/evening sickness in the beginning and the lack of sleep that has recently started.  I am starting to wonder a little bit about what he might look like though.  From the 3D ultrasound bits of him we've seen he seems to have Kendall's little nose but we'll see.  Other then that he's been relatively hidden.  I was surprised to hear at our last appointment that he has some hair...like hair enough to show up on ultrasound.  That definitely did not happen with Kendall and Seren.  So I wonder about hair color and eye color.  I suppose like any other parent waiting on the unknown.  I think of how Jeff's nephew had a full head of red hair at birth.  Maybe he'll have red hair like his sister Kendall?  But then do boys with red hair get made fun of?  For girls it's usually an enviable trait.  Maybe he'll be blonde like Seren?  Jeff and I were both tow headed toddlers also.  Maybe it will be brown.  Maybe brown eyes too.  Maybe the donor aspect of genetics will win out this time.  I kind of hope not but I wouldn't mind either and I'm sure he would still be adorable.  So the curiosity for looks is starting to come out I guess.  Everything else is old hat feeling.  They will be who they will be and we will be who we will and parent how we believe is best and hopefully that will lend itself to making some wonderful full-grown humans some day.

I am still grateful for our donor.  It's been 4 years and a bit since she made that difference in our life and the path it might take.  I wonder if she ever thinks about the blessings she helped make possible.  I don't think we were the only successful couple.  I think on talking to the girls about the donor egg aspect again.  I mention it to them but know more will come out as they all grow up.  I'm grateful the three of them will share the same story and genetics.  I would not have wanted to pursue other children with a different donor even if the expenses weren't there.  I think about that sometimes too.  The expense.  I see other couples who discover infertility later in marriage after they've settled into a life, a home and expenses that don't play so nice with adoption fees and infertility expense.  I'm grateful now that infertility was a part of our lives before we even were married or "trying".  I don't think we would have been able to afford things if we had time to get into some debt.  Even the way it was we were pretty much "this cycle or bust".  It was a stressful beginning but it gave us the ability to plan and budget and make decisions.  I wish it were that easy for many and I wish cost and coverage of infertility was more easily accessible.

Anyway I guess not much has changed with donor egg feelings.  I think I'm more relaxed with things and not anxious about the outcome.  These are our babies and I love them and we love them.  I can't wait for this little one to join us.

Update: 33 weeks

Baby update:  Baby boy is still doing really well.  Still head down with face towards my back bone.  So his little bum is probably what keeps poking out the front making me uncomfortable.  He is estimated to weigh 5.5 lbs now (more then Seren weighed at birth and almost what Kendall weighed).  We didn't get a guess on birth weight but supposedly he'll gain 1/2 lb per week until then so around 8 lbs or so.  Also his head measured about 35 weeks so that wasn't great news to me haha.   

Cravings:  Sugar...my usual weakness.  I'm trying to be better.  I love fruit and milk and peanut butter sandwiches too.

Weight Gain:  about 12 lbs up from pre-pregnancy weight. 

Movement / Symptoms:  His boney and bumpy parts are starting to poke out more, sometimes not so comfortably but still very cool.  I have tried to get the girls to feel him when his bum or such are sticking out and they say they do but not sure.  They love it and get excited though.  

Day to Day:  I hate bending over and I don't think little man likes it when I do either haha  The girls have gotten good at cleaning up their toys and are super nice to help hand me things on the floor if I ask.  The general painting in the house has continued a little though I have a definite stopping point in mind.  I still want to paint his room so maybe that'll be next.  

Baby Prep:  Super Mario nursery decor.  I actually cut up a little fabric and gave it some thought yesterday.  I bought some fabric and ribbon to work on it also.  Of course I took a really short nap during this also :) haha

The Girls:  They are doing great.  They talk about baby brother getting here and holding him.  Seren wants him to come next week and was not happy to hear it will be a little longer than that.  We were asking them what we should name him and it turned into a big giggle as they kept saying "I have a great name for baby brother...knife" and they'd giggle and then the other would repeat the same statement and "name" of knife.  They were having a great time.  They argue about who will hold him first. I hope the excitement doesn't wear off too quickly though I'm sure it will.  We have play group once a week and they love that.  They love going to Sunday dinners at Jeff's parents where they play with cousins and wear themselves out.  

Looking forward to:  Getting some nursery stuff made.  Maybe painting.  I started packing a hospital bag with a few things...definitely no where near done.  Need to do some pre-hospital shopping for the house before he comes home too.  Lots to do and I just haven't stressed about it this time so the list isn't really done haha  Oh boy!  Figuring out a name haha...it's still a discussion and undecided.

Next visit:  Sept 4th and Sept 18th.

Little man didn't cooperate for a picture so here's one of him from the outside

Update: 30 weeks

Baby update:  He is doing well.  He measured on target I believe but it wasn't mentioned directly.  I don't worry unless something is mentioned but don't always ask if it isn't.  He weighs about 3.5 lbs and everything was still looking good.

Cravings:  Sandwiches haha I can always be in the mood for a subway.  Sadly Jeff is getting sick of subway being my go-to meal out (it's cheap and park friendly haha)...granted this is only every couple weeks or so.  Chocolate.  Milk.

Weight Gain:  about 10 lbs up from pre-pregnancy weight.

Movement / Symptoms:  His boney and bumpy parts are starting to poke out more, sometimes not so comfortably but still very cool.  He was going crazy the night before our appointment and I kind of think he was making a turnabout now as he was head-down at the appointment.  Good job kiddo now just stay in formation as I'm hoping to avoid slicing and dicing come delivery day.

Day to Day:  Pretty lame here.  I've been trying to clean and organize and that has led to lots of lame days around the house.  I'm not even sure you could tell if it's made a difference sadly.  But the girls are good sports and still enjoy playing on our swing set when the mood strikes them...it's still pretty warm so it's not always often.

Baby Prep:  Super Mario nursery decor.  Still haven't done anything with this.  Hoping to work on it this coming week or next.

The Girls:  They are doing good and playing well together.  They have the funniest expressions they pick up that make us laugh "gimme a break" and others I can't recall right now...so need to write them down.  We have a family reunion for Jeff's side of the family in Idaho this weekend.  The girls are looking forward to seeing the cows up there (hopefully there are a good amount of cows haha) and their cousins (some they see often and others it's been a long time).

Looking forward to:  Getting some nursery stuff made.  Maybe painting.  I will probably start to pack a hospital bag after we get back from Idaho as I didn't do this last time and it will be nice to not throw it together last minute.  Figuring out a name haha...it's still a discussion and undecided.

Next visit:  August 21st and Sept 4th (I make them two at a time now I guess).