Space Alien is Coming to Get You!
It's the baby's head (eye brows (?), eyes, nose) and the top of its torso. The right hand is scratching its cheek, and the left hand is pointing right at you.
It's the baby's head (eye brows (?), eyes, nose) and the top of its torso. The right hand is scratching its cheek, and the left hand is pointing right at you.
(no subject)
I wish I could remember how old my old roommate's sister Coretta is.
The 40th Anniversary of Dr. King's assassination reminded me, but I was trying to tell my mother something about her, and the age was relevant, and so I've been wondering.
Also, I am re-saddened thinking about the assassination and the mountain top speech, and also (I know, this is ridiculous) re-saddened for (biblical) Moses, who also went to the mountain top and saw the promised land and never got to step foot in it. The world is full of amazing people who are willing to work so hard for change, and never get to reap the rewards themselves, and I am sad that they don't get the reward, but also grateful that those people exist. Clearly there is a strong evolutionary drive for self preservation, and also for selfishness, and I know there are also theories on why altruism might also be favored evolutionarily (or on how it is impossible for true altruism to exist) and I've been thinking about those things today.
The 40th Anniversary of Dr. King's assassination reminded me, but I was trying to tell my mother something about her, and the age was relevant, and so I've been wondering.
Also, I am re-saddened thinking about the assassination and the mountain top speech, and also (I know, this is ridiculous) re-saddened for (biblical) Moses, who also went to the mountain top and saw the promised land and never got to step foot in it. The world is full of amazing people who are willing to work so hard for change, and never get to reap the rewards themselves, and I am sad that they don't get the reward, but also grateful that those people exist. Clearly there is a strong evolutionary drive for self preservation, and also for selfishness, and I know there are also theories on why altruism might also be favored evolutionarily (or on how it is impossible for true altruism to exist) and I've been thinking about those things today.
Genetic Counselor final update
I am not a carrier for anything (well, maybe for something, but nothing on the screen). The only real concern is the way we didn't get the cystic fibrosis screen, because it wasn't covered by the insurance. We haven't decided what to do about it.
B is a carrier for Canavan's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canav… He is supposed to alert his family members, so that they can get tested. Since his brother is expecting his first baby in March, I think it might be a weird time to tell them. His SIL is not from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, though, so there isn't really a need for them to be concerned.
Now we know.
B is a carrier for Canavan's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canav… He is supposed to alert his family members, so that they can get tested. Since his brother is expecting his first baby in March, I think it might be a weird time to tell them. His SIL is not from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, though, so there isn't really a need for them to be concerned.
Now we know.
Genetic Counselor update
Scheduling this visit has been such a hassle! But, we're finally scheduled, and will be going in a week and a half. Hopefully (probably) everything will be fine, but I'll let you guys know (I know, you are on the edge of your seats waiting, bated breath and all).
Anyway, I called the number I was given for the referral, and played phone tag for awhile. Finally talked to the genetic counselor, who asked me in a very hesitant way, if I was a cancer patient. I told her no.
Turns out I was given the wrong number, and she only does genetic counseling for cancer patients. She gave me another number.
Played phone tag for awhile, getting more and more disheartened. The place was called Pediatric something something, so I felt pretty sure that it was another wrong number. Finally got in touch with the receptionist there, who was *utterly* confused by my request, and told me she was going to have to talk to the supervisor. She also kept saying "prenatal" and I kept saying "well, it's actually a pre-conception visit" but it didn't seem to have any effect. Anyway, she called me back, and told me in the most irritated tone of voice that they did, indeed, do the kind of screening/counseling that I'm looking for, but the supervisor wants to know if I have some kind of problem or health issue. I said no, and she said in an even more annoyed tone of voice "well, I just don't understand why you want this then". It was annoying, since she had pulled up my referral form (she told me earlier) which explained why, plus I had explained when I initially introduced myself. But, whatever, I told her again, and she scheduled us, so progress has been made!
Anyway, I called the number I was given for the referral, and played phone tag for awhile. Finally talked to the genetic counselor, who asked me in a very hesitant way, if I was a cancer patient. I told her no.
Turns out I was given the wrong number, and she only does genetic counseling for cancer patients. She gave me another number.
Played phone tag for awhile, getting more and more disheartened. The place was called Pediatric something something, so I felt pretty sure that it was another wrong number. Finally got in touch with the receptionist there, who was *utterly* confused by my request, and told me she was going to have to talk to the supervisor. She also kept saying "prenatal" and I kept saying "well, it's actually a pre-conception visit" but it didn't seem to have any effect. Anyway, she called me back, and told me in the most irritated tone of voice that they did, indeed, do the kind of screening/counseling that I'm looking for, but the supervisor wants to know if I have some kind of problem or health issue. I said no, and she said in an even more annoyed tone of voice "well, I just don't understand why you want this then". It was annoying, since she had pulled up my referral form (she told me earlier) which explained why, plus I had explained when I initially introduced myself. But, whatever, I told her again, and she scheduled us, so progress has been made!
(no subject)
I'm getting a little stir crazy. I didn't leave the house at all yesterday, and I only went around the corner this morning. It has been *so* cold. Our high temperatures have been negative degrees, and yesterday it was really windy on top of that (windchills in the negative 30s). Today there wasn't so much wind, which is why I braved going outside.
Anyway... it was kind of nice to be forced away from work. I puttered about the house, did some laundry, etc. But... I'm definitely ready to get out of the house, do some work, etc., tomorrow (even though it is a University holiday, but I have to go in anyway). Also, a friend of mine is having a hard time-- lots of extremely stressful/bad stuff all at once-- so I think I'll go shopping for some treats and send her a nice care package.
Anyway... it was kind of nice to be forced away from work. I puttered about the house, did some laundry, etc. But... I'm definitely ready to get out of the house, do some work, etc., tomorrow (even though it is a University holiday, but I have to go in anyway). Also, a friend of mine is having a hard time-- lots of extremely stressful/bad stuff all at once-- so I think I'll go shopping for some treats and send her a nice care package.
Weird
One of the lecture classes I teach has two lab sections associated with it. There is an afternoon section, before the lecture, which I can't teach, so somebody else is covering it. And then there is an evening session, which doesn't finish until 9:15 pm, that I am teaching. And, of the 28 students currently signed up for the course, 20 are in my section. Why?! I would much rather have the labs split evenly, and if they have to go uneven, I would like them to go the other way, since I am already grading all of the lecture stuff for both sections. I really don't understand why. Plus, in the past, people have continued signing up for this class until the very day it started, which means... it could get worse! Luckily, the cap for each section is 24, so it could only get 4 worse, but what if it does, and it is 24 in my section, and 8 in the other?! I hope it doesn't happen like that.
(no subject)
it has been sooooo cold here. the weather caster stood under the headline "fun with negative numbers"-- our highs have been single digit, and our lows below zero. now our highs are in the 20s, and it actually feels warm, despite being far below freezing.
i'm feeling a little big overwhelmed with work-- i have a *lot* to do in order to be ready to teach animal bio, and at the same time, i'm trying to write some papers, and continue experiments. even though i'll be busy in the spring with teaching and writing, it is going to be a lot slower than now, and i'm looking forward to it.
i'm getting callouses on my hands from rowing (using the urg at the gym) and B is very proud of me. it's funny. i've been doing 45 minutes on the elliptical, followed by 10-15 minutes on the urg, followed by the best part-- shower and sauna. i've never been able to stick to an exercise routine before-- i just find it too boring-- but the books on tape make all the difference. i look forward to going back to the gym so i can hear the next part!
i'm feeling a little big overwhelmed with work-- i have a *lot* to do in order to be ready to teach animal bio, and at the same time, i'm trying to write some papers, and continue experiments. even though i'll be busy in the spring with teaching and writing, it is going to be a lot slower than now, and i'm looking forward to it.
i'm getting callouses on my hands from rowing (using the urg at the gym) and B is very proud of me. it's funny. i've been doing 45 minutes on the elliptical, followed by 10-15 minutes on the urg, followed by the best part-- shower and sauna. i've never been able to stick to an exercise routine before-- i just find it too boring-- but the books on tape make all the difference. i look forward to going back to the gym so i can hear the next part!
Stupid Exercise!
So, I've been going to the gym pretty regularly... now I can run/walk 5 and a half miles in 42 minutes. I feel good about it-- I think I'm healthier, and also, because I use the elliptical, it isn't bad on my joints the way running regularly outside could be. But I actually *gained* 2 pounds! Or possibly more-- my weight fluctuates within a 5 or 10 pound range I think (I don't have a scale, so I don't know how quickly it changes) but I am now at my heaviest ever.
I know it is probably a gain in muscle mass, and I am still at a healthy range according to BMI, and I know I'm healthier, but it is still really irritating! I mean, my goal is to be healthier, not lighter, but it would be nice to have both.
I know it is probably a gain in muscle mass, and I am still at a healthy range according to BMI, and I know I'm healthier, but it is still really irritating! I mean, my goal is to be healthier, not lighter, but it would be nice to have both.
also
now we are talking about june to start TTC. we still haven't made any decisions, which is really driving me crazy, because i want to start all the planning and figuring and time scheduling, etc. but i also do not want to feel like i pushed the decision, or strong armed B, or anything like that.
anyway, june would allow me to defend my phd before starting TTC, which i will admit, does seem like a good idea. i think that defense is going to be stressful. also it will allow us to go on a spring/early summer back country trip. i think B wants to try to summit a tall mountain (over 14K feet) so we could do that immediately after my defense, and then start trying for a baby. i know that exercise while pregnant is a good idea, but i'm not sure summiting a mountain in a low-oxygen atmosphere with a heavy pack on really is.
the only problem with that plan really is that unless we conceive in the first few months, we will have to wait a couple of years (i think) because i really can't see myself starting a post doc, and then trying to get pregnant right away.
B's main concern, it turns out, is that our lives are going to be a little chaotic for the next few years. i thought it was more about what he wanted to do before being a parent, but he says no. so... we'll see. its true that we would have to move more than once before our baby was school aged, but i feel like if our relationship is secure and stable, and we put aside money to help support having a family (which we are doing now, though it is hard on grad student salaries, but should be easier when we are post docs)... i don't know. i do think kids thrive on routine, but i feel like a lot of routine (at least when kids are young) depends on the parents. and i think we could provide a stable, loving, supportive environment despite whatever chaos comes.
by the way, it turns out we only have 6" of snow so far, but the precipitation goes on!
anyway, june would allow me to defend my phd before starting TTC, which i will admit, does seem like a good idea. i think that defense is going to be stressful. also it will allow us to go on a spring/early summer back country trip. i think B wants to try to summit a tall mountain (over 14K feet) so we could do that immediately after my defense, and then start trying for a baby. i know that exercise while pregnant is a good idea, but i'm not sure summiting a mountain in a low-oxygen atmosphere with a heavy pack on really is.
the only problem with that plan really is that unless we conceive in the first few months, we will have to wait a couple of years (i think) because i really can't see myself starting a post doc, and then trying to get pregnant right away.
B's main concern, it turns out, is that our lives are going to be a little chaotic for the next few years. i thought it was more about what he wanted to do before being a parent, but he says no. so... we'll see. its true that we would have to move more than once before our baby was school aged, but i feel like if our relationship is secure and stable, and we put aside money to help support having a family (which we are doing now, though it is hard on grad student salaries, but should be easier when we are post docs)... i don't know. i do think kids thrive on routine, but i feel like a lot of routine (at least when kids are young) depends on the parents. and i think we could provide a stable, loving, supportive environment despite whatever chaos comes.
by the way, it turns out we only have 6" of snow so far, but the precipitation goes on!
snow, slippery roads, and cars
it is snowing and snowing. they say we will end up with a foot, but they also say it will continue to snow all night and into the morning, which means we would have well over a foot, because i'd say it is already 9".
we had some errands to run today, and then i dropped B off at work, and drove home.
well, nearly home.
i took the highway, which was much more clear (though definitely nowhere near clear) and that was fine, and then the road that goes from the highway to our street (a little over a mile, i guess) was heaped with snow, but the car was okay. then i turned onto our street, about 3 blocks from our house, and it was pretty bad, but okay... except there is a hill. the car got slower and slower and then, about 2/3 up the hill, it just couldn't climb any more. i had already gone down to first gear (yes, i was only in second, but i thought it might help), tried reversing and then going into first, rocking, etc. some stranger tried to help push me, and then he tried to drive while i pushed, and we just couldn't get up the hill. so, i parked facing the wrong way on the road, and walked the 2 blocks home. ugh. B won't be home until way after dark, but we may have to go try to dig the car out and lay down something material or sawdust or something for traction, b/c i think we might get towed to make room for the plows if we don't move.
boo!
it is very pretty out, though, and i saw a number of people cross country skiing through the city!
we had some errands to run today, and then i dropped B off at work, and drove home.
well, nearly home.
i took the highway, which was much more clear (though definitely nowhere near clear) and that was fine, and then the road that goes from the highway to our street (a little over a mile, i guess) was heaped with snow, but the car was okay. then i turned onto our street, about 3 blocks from our house, and it was pretty bad, but okay... except there is a hill. the car got slower and slower and then, about 2/3 up the hill, it just couldn't climb any more. i had already gone down to first gear (yes, i was only in second, but i thought it might help), tried reversing and then going into first, rocking, etc. some stranger tried to help push me, and then he tried to drive while i pushed, and we just couldn't get up the hill. so, i parked facing the wrong way on the road, and walked the 2 blocks home. ugh. B won't be home until way after dark, but we may have to go try to dig the car out and lay down something material or sawdust or something for traction, b/c i think we might get towed to make room for the plows if we don't move.
boo!
it is very pretty out, though, and i saw a number of people cross country skiing through the city!