About Us

We are two mathematician moms to Leigh, born 6/06 (Gail gave birth, we used frozen sperm) and Ira, born 5/09 (Lyn gave birth, same donor). We blog about the challenges of building and sustaining a two-mom family, but our musings on creating an intentional family have broader applicability  – to straight families, dads, queer families, families having kids the traditional way and families having kids via adoption and donor conception. We love hearing from other parents, and thinking about all the ways we’re exactly the same and completely different, so please email us at firsttimesecondtime at gmail dot com.

The best way to get to know us is to take a trip through the archives. You can find the category list on the right, or you can just start with some of our best posts.

Do you think you might know us in real life? You probably do. There just aren’t that many two-mom-two-kid-two-mathematician families out there. We write under pseudonyms here, but we love it when friends and family read (really!). So feel free to read, comment, and talk to us about anything that comes up here.

Our Timeline

5/01 Gail and Lyn meet and fall in love at Math Camp
5/04 Gail and Lyn get married

First Time:
10/04 Gail starts tracking cycles in earnest
5/05 Gail starts acupuncture to correct short luteal phase
8/05 1st try, ICI, 2 vials at home, BFN
9/05 2nd try, ICI, 2 vials at home, it worked!
6/06 Leigh is born!

Second Time:
1/07 Lyn starts tracking cycles.
4/07 Lyn starts acupuncture to correct anovulation.
2/08 CD3 bloodwork and HSG, given the all clear
3/08 1st try, ICI, 2 vials at home, BFN
4/08 2nd try, ICI, 2 vials at home, BFN
5/08 Missed cycle due to anovulation triggered by travel
6/08 Missed cycle due to travel
7/08 3rd try, clinic IUI (no meds), 4 vials (don’t ask), BFN
8/08 Missed cycle due to travel, decide never to travel ever again
9/08 4th try, clinic IUI (no meds), 2 vials, BFP!
4/09 Lyn diagnosed with cholestasis of pregnancy, and home birth plans get thrown out the window.
5/09 Ira is born!