Sunday 30 September 2007

The Descendant's Tale Begins...

Introducing Kaia Elizabeth Mills, latest in a long line of carbon-based lifeforms. Kaia traces her ancestry back to an unnamed protoplasmic replicator which lived about four billion years ago. Since inventing sex about 2.5 billion years ago, every member of Kaia's clan has had not one but two burstingly proud parents.

Among that replicator's descendants, most remain single-celled. Kaia's ancestors learned cooperation and have been massively multi-cellular for countless generations. When born, Kaia herself contained 8lb 6oz (3800g) of microscopic cells and was 55.5 cm (22 inches) in length.

One of several branches of the family who have (independently) developed sight, Kaia gazes at the world through deep blue eyes.

Thanks to a relatively recent family development (mammals, 247 million years ago), Kaia spent the first nine months of her development as part of her mother's body, and so the family have opted to celebrate the moment of her emergence from that body as her "Birth Day" - six minutes past noon on the 28th of September 2007.

Though Kaia's family are a relatively hairless part of the ape clan, she was born with her hominid cephalus covered in rich dark hair.

Here is Kaia with some of her most recent ancestors:

Not long after her emergence, this picture shows Kaia with her delighted mother, from whom she inherits all of her mitochondrial DNA.

Kaia's father, pictured here, contributed the decisive chromosome that determined Kaia's sex. Before her birth, in an attempt to determine whether the baby was male or female, Tim was asked which he had provided. He answered, "I gave you millions of each - which one did you pick?"

The ovum that gave Kaia half of her genetic material was already present in baby Deena before she emerged from Kaia's granny (pictured), 378 months ago.

More details will be posted here about Kaia as she begins to explore this biosphere full of her fellow carbon-based lifeforms. Watch this space, or click on "subscribe" at the bottom of this page.

14 comments:

The Cynical Naturalist said...

A very warm welcome to beautiful baby Kaia - and all her mitrochondrial DNA - and hearty congratulations to mom, pop and all the family

Now all there is for everybody to do is to kick back and enjoy the long and wonderful ride

Vanessa said...

May the light of a trillion stars bathe her retina and may she enjoy the freedom to choose her path without fear or superstition!
Congratulations to the wonderful family she has the luck to be born in.
Roger and Vanessa

Anonymous said...

The heavens and earth smiled as they beheld a new gift to the universe. Quite a miracle! Now the adventure begins.

tinkle1234 said...

Wow, isn't nature wonderful. Welcome baby Kaia and congratulations Deena and Tim. A lovely new baby for a lovely couple. Hope to see you all soon. Jacks and Billy. xxx

Unknown said...

Congratulations and welcome to the universe baby Kaia!
You were very lucky to be born to such lovely parents and they in turn are blessed to have you.
Hope everyone is well!

Joe and Hannele

The Boss Bitch said...

Wonder who she is ... I can only think of one thing I wish for her - that she finds her own Pookie and that she is someday a better Sweetpuff than I could ever be. Deena, you are no longer a childless mother.
Tim, take care of them or I'll come over there and kick your ass.
Big. Squeezie. Hugs.
Tamzin

The Boss Bitch said...

Oh ... aaaaaaand ... she already look Scottish. Wicked.

Unknown said...

Congratulations Deena and Tim and welcome to the world Kaia!

She looks amazingly serene after her emergence and you both look absolutely besotted. Looking forward to meeting her and seeing you both!

/OO\x

Alexis said...

Congratulations Tim, Deena, and Kaia! Hope you're all well.

Audrey said...

Congratulations, Deena and Tim on your precious new daughter!
I'm sure she has already perfected her very own vocal warm-ups!
Much love,
Audrey xx

NelsonBoyds said...

Congratulations Tim and Deena - your baby is beautiful - sonje, seamus, and meredith can't wait to meet their new little cousin. so now the debate - is she their first cousin twice removed, or second cousin once removed...or maybe they aren't really cousins at all - what happens withou your cousins cousins....we feel you should know this for some reason, once you have had some rest, please advise. much love Sandy, Jeanette, David and Margot

Susan (E) I said...

Welcome Kaia! Life, Love, Laughter and Joy: may these constellations be always present in your universe!
Congratulations to Deena and Tim (even if your little star does turn out to be a "tenor"...)
Susan (Bass)

Crepuscule said...

Congratulations!
What a wonderful birth announcement.
Makes me and my molecules feel like a part of the family!

Glendon Mellow said...

Beautifully written! Inspirational!
AThanks and welcome to your new family member.