No Baby Daddy & Bloggie Break

Thank you SO much for all the wonderful Surro-Wifey and Daddies love.

It was nothing short of magical to participate in this surrogacy. All the cranky-Wifey moments were completely erased as I watched the Dads bond with their new baby girl. Unbelievable. Truly incredible.

That said, the best story about the unique experience of a lesbian couple doing a surrogacy for two gay dads in Massachusetts (got all that?) is that I was required to sign an affadavit of non-paternity. Yes. Really. Because B-Dad is the bio-Dad, and despite the fact that they used an egg donor, Wifey is still considered the "mother" until non-bio S-Dad completes his co-parent adoption. Have I lost you yet? The birth certificate administrator at the hospital was twisted into a pretzel trying to force the computer to accept her data entry. Apparently a male husband is the presumed father of a baby born to his female wife while they're married. Sure. Fair enough. But ... if he's not the baby daddy, he fills out an affidavit stating that yes, they're married, and no, he's not the father. Because Wifey is legally married in Massachusetts, the computer lists her as such. So when the birth certificiate lady tried to enter B-Dad and Wifey as "father" and "mother," the computer spit it back, requiring that I, as Wifey's spouse, sign off my paternity rights. Enter the Mafia, an Affadavit of Non-Paternity, a Bic pen, and loud peals of laughter. This was certainly the most ridiculous thing I have ever signed. Let it be known: I am not now, nor will I ever be H-Baby's Daddy. Signed: The Mafia, with love.


With Wifey recovering from the c-section (read: no housework, driving, child care, or lifting anything over 10 pounds for two weeks, and no work for an additional 4 weeks) and with the Mafia teaching TWO classes at a local university (in addition to my full-time gig at MIT), it's time for a big bloggie break. At worst, it'll be a 6 week break, but realistically, I won't last that long. I'll miss everyone. Be back soon. Smooch!

Two Healthy Girls!

More details when I've had time to sleep. In the meantime, the baby's on the outside, weighing in a 9lbs. 4oz. Wifey is happy and healthy, despite 14 hours of vbac labor and then a c-section. See aforementioned size of baby, note that most of the 9lbs resides in the baby's noggin, and remind baby that a sideways & twisted exit is ill-advised. Baby's off-center cone noggin with deep circular dent near the soft spot tells the whole story. Most importantly:

Baby is healthy, beautiful and calm.
Daddies are absolutely thrilled.

Another successful surrogacy that will never make headlines.

If Little Man ruled the world

Little Man: Mama, you go to the doctor and push the baby out?
Wifey: Yeah, I'd love to.
Little Man: And after that, you get a sticker? Would you like Thomas? ..... Or Sesame Street? ..... Or ABCs? You like Sesame Street sticker, right Mama? But only after nap, Mama. Push the baby out after you nap and then you get a sticker, ok? You hear me?

- in the kitchen of Ms. 1890, 2/13/07, 6:30pm

Mafia Week '07: Winners Knit

CONTEST NEWS

The correct answer to the Mafia Week '07: Game #1 is -- the birthmark above my right knee is shaped like a HEART.



When I was a child, my Gramma said I was kissed by an angel. So sweet. In later years, I imagined being kissed by this angel.

Because nobody guessed the correct shape (and what's with all the land mass guesses?), I used the random number generator to decide the winner.

And the winner is:

Kathy!

Congratulations!! I'll send the Knitting Rules book out tomorrow. Enjoy!

KNITTING NEWS

I spent a week on the Monkey socks in the Frickmeister STR and got to the heel.



I love the yarn, and although I had several moments of doubt during repeat #2, I love the colors.

Then a cold spell hit Boston, and I realized that commuting in Massachusetts is bitter. So I put the Monkeys down in favor of a much-needed Jenny hat in leftover Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran in Jewel. As of today, it's about 2/3 done.



I'm hoping to have enough JS yarn for a pair of much-needed Massachusetts commuter mittens.

Last weekend, I did two lousy rows on the Arwen sweater. I'm the worst KAL co-host in the world. And at this rate, it'll be 90 degrees outside before I finish it.

front

Oh, and did I mention the mistake I made on the back of the Arwen cable? For some reason, it doesn't appear on the front. Strange. I'm still trying to decide if I should rip it out, which might explain the languishing. Any thoughts?

back

PERSONAL NEWS

Wifey is ready to pull a small baby girl from her belly, but has been advised by her doctor that this isn't a great idea. So she's waiting. And god love her, she hasn't killed me yet. So all is well. In fact, I believe she's walking the mall right now, trying to get that baby to 'engage'.

2nd Blogiversary!!

Happy Blogiversary to Me,
Happy Blogiversary to Me,
Happy Blogiversary to The Maaaaafiiiiiaaa,
Happy Blogiversary to Me!

About a week ago, with the blogiversary looming, I decided to do something celebratory to mark the occasion. I came up with a few ideas: a give-away, a contest, a serious contemplation post, a best-of, cake, presents, streamers, enhancements to the site, etc. The problem is -- I can't decide what one thing to do, so I'm going to declare the entire week a celebration, and do a couple things. So stay tuned.


*And because several people have asked about the Battle of the Bulge, the current score is Bulge: 1; Wifey: 0. Everyone is fine, but if the baby stays inside for one more day, Wifey may kill me. I'm her favorite target. Ah, the joys of married life.

Broken Waters

Thurs. ETA: Still no news.

Wed. ETA: It's unofficial. Something is happening, but we're not sure what's going on. Keep those vibes coming. THANKS!!

*~*~*~*


It's official -- Wifey is going into labor. Hooray!!

Although I'm still contractually unable to blog about the specifics, I can say that Wifey is a surrogate and that Nina is her doula. So go give Nina some love too, k? She'll be taking care of my girl while I'm taking care of Little Man.

And can I get a big of shout out for the VBAC? Please send all of your strong chica vibes to Wifey's body. Dilate. Dilate. Dilate. Progress. Progress. Progress.

Favorite Things Monday: Simplicity

These pix are housed in a multi-photo frame that ordinarily hangs in a prominent location in our house. I say 'ordinarily' because all of our wall decor has been in boxes since October. This photo set is one that I particularly miss, so it's a relief that I have access to a digital version.

Taken at Carrie & Hag's house a couple years ago during a weekend trip to the Cape, these pictures show Wifey and Little Man in a moment of pure joy. On the floor. Being silly. Playing with dishes, as opposed to conventional toys. Laughing.

It shows Carrie & Hag's manner of living. Rustic. Cluttered. A little bit dirty. Organic. Homemade. Lived in. Loved. Simple.

It shows Wifey's completely natural relationship with her sister Carrie. Whose house can you visit and feel comfortable in randomly pulling dishes from the cabinets to entertain your toddler?

When your wife is surro-preggie

Wifey: When's the full moon?
Mafia: Um ... let me see [pause for google-ing] ... February 2nd
Wifey: I think that's the day I'm going to give birth.
Mafia: Oh? Cool.
Wifey: Do you have any idea?
Mafia: When you're going to give birth?
Wifey: Yeah.
Mafia: Nah, I can't even remember your due date
Wifey: You can't even remember that I'm pregnant [giggles]
Mafia: Shut up! I'm not doin' any more laundry for your ass!

Sat. 1/27/07 at 8:32pm