Saturday, January 19, 2008

Back from the sun.

Sorry for the long pause, my friends. I flew to California to see my family (3 sisters and parents etc.) for about a week or so. My mother succeeded in guilt tripping me into flying out. It has been over 2 years since I have seen them all, so it wasn't that difficult to guilt me into going out there. Plus, there is the added bonus of seeing the sun during the Winter. A rare site in upstate New York in January.

Every time I see my sisters, I am subjected to a mini-makeover. The sisters are wholly disgusted with my undyed and graying hair, my unshaven legs, my unkept eyebrows, and unmanicured fingernails. They delight in sneaking in trips to the beauty salon. This time I got a manicure and my eyebrows waxed. While they know I won't be dying my hair any time soon, they never miss a chance to feign surprise at how many gray hairs I have grown since the last time they saw me. Maybe next time, before I go out there, I will dye my hair gray. That'll shut them up...for a minute.

On the fetus front, the AFP (alpha feto protein blood screen) came back negative (which is a positive on the relative scale). However, I am having a new anatomy scan done in early February because there was no sign of the right kidney in the first scan. I guess we are going to be greedy and insist on finding two. Doctor seems totally unconcerned and confident that Fetus just wasn't feeling like a show-off the first time around. I am confident that we will see both kidneys next time. Honestly, I am just excited to be getting another scan. Maybe this is the wrong attitude, but it keeps me sane (relatively) for now.

27 comments:

niobe said...

Sanity, while basically overrated, can be a good thing. That is, if you don't overdo it.

Veronika said...

Wow, what a refreshing change of pace for you to see the sun!
I like your idea of dyeing your hair gray next time!
Congrats on the negative AFP!
Thank you for updating - I missed you!

Alyce said...

Was wondering about the pause. Glad it was for a trip to see family.

If it makes you feel any better, I stopped havign my eyebrows waxed when they took skin off with the stray hairs. The pain of raw skin (not to mention having to look like that for a few weeks) cured me of having to have perfect eyebrows.

Dino said...

glad to hear your back and you got some sun. i am sure the scan will come back just fine

Caro said...

Thanks for the update.

megan said...

i'm glad you got some much needed sunshine.
i hope baby feels a little more like showing off in your next scan. glad to hear that all is generally going well.
xo

Anonymous said...

I have resolved not to colour my hair until I have to hide the gray. I hope you did enjoy your pampering!

Anns said...

Naughty baby.
I'm sure all will be fine.
Looking forward to February's scan!

Aurelia said...

Wow, vacation fun in the sun...weeeee

I am happy for you even if it did have to coincide with an eyebrow waxing!

And I agree with the Doc. I wouldn't worry about not seeing that kidney. Little buggers tend not to turn around when you ask them too. Which makes it hard to see all the parts!

Electronic Goose said...

Congrats on the neg. AFP ... and I'm thrilled to hear you feel the baby moving too!

Cate said...

Very exciting news! Can't wait to hear about your new ultrasound.

Julia said...

Yes, this is always my attitude-- bring on a freeby scan. And I really hope the shy retiring prankster you have in there will show you the second kidney next time.
Cool beans about flying out. I just had my eyebrows waxed today. I actually love it, partially because I found this awesome aestetician like ten years ago, and I haven't let anyone else touch me with hot wax since. Well, I went for a leg wax once elsewhere thinking this is easy, they can't screw this up. Turns out they can, and I learned my lesson, and there won't be any more experiments. Waxing my brows actually does very good things for my whole face, so I should be going more often that I do.
Dyeing your hair gray next time sounds hilarious. You know, they have those temporary dyes, like for Halloween. Maybe you can use that, and then wash your hair next morning. :)
Anyway, really glad to see you back. Don't be a stranger, ok?

Cibele said...

Gald to have you back.I missed you! I can belive that you already 20 weeks!! boy or girl? are you going to find out?
Looking forward to February's scan!

Navigating The Rapids said...

Glad you had a nice get away. It's nice to see the ticker moving along. I'm sure all will be well on the next scan.

Unbalanced Reaction said...

Hehe...that WOULD shut them up. ;)

Depressionista said...

Good to see you back and know that your break was for something sunny and warm! Glad to hear about the good AFP and also to hear how well you're handling the hiding kidney. It sounds like you are really doing well!

I have to say I'm jealous of California. The high here today was -2 degrees!

BerryBird said...

You are a brave and flexible woman, getting your eyebrows waxed just to maintain family harmony. My sister best not ever ask me to make such a sacrifice, as I am so not into the whole pain thing. I'd much rather be furry. Looking forward to the photo from your next scan!

a/k/a Nadine said...

Glad you got some sun! I'm sure the kidney will show itself when it feels ready.

Dancer said...

Hey Nicole,
I am glad you are back! I will admit that I was concerned with the pause. I hope that you see some exciting, happy news re: baby's kidney on your next scan. I feel certain that you will.
I like the idea of dying your hair gray for your next trip out there...funny!
dancer

Sarah said...

yeah, i think that's the right attitude. it's great when you feel like you just know things will be okay. so much preferable to the other.

thrice said...

Yeah!! I loved free scans, bring 'em on.

If you want you can try drinking some OJ before your next scan. Sometimes a bit of juice gets the little ones sugared up and jumpy and you get to see all kinds of bits.

Wayfarer Scientista said...

Ah, my sister is equally disgusted with me. You have my sympathies.

Depressionista said...

Hey...it's been awhile...hope you are doing okay...

LIW (Lady In Waiting) said...

I think that scans are absolutely vital to maintaining sanity....

Fingers crossed that the Fetus will show both kindeys in the next scan!!

XOXO

Cibele said...

Just checking to see how are you doing. Hopefuly we will hear from you soon. take care

Anonymous said...

Hello. Miss you.

Dino said...

you've been pretty quiet these days - let us know whats up

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