Ok, so by now I guess I don't have to say a word about the fact that I am simply horrible at keeping this blog updated! (Shameful face right about now...) It's gonna get better, once I have Wi-Fi around =) But now to begin where we left off...
After some deliberation, I believe I have finally chosen the hospital I will deliver at; St. Peter's in Albany. I was delivered at this hospital myself! In fact, my mother says the doctor who delivered me still works there! But on the topic of doctor's I might as well say this... FORGET THAT! =) I choose midwife all the way, baby!! I know a midwife will ultimately have to have a doctor backing her up, but if everything goes as planned, or closely resembles an "as planned" route, then doc shouldn't have to step in. I've been doing a lot of reading, reading, reading and am begining to find other mommy friends to talk to about birthing plans. My OB-GYN, after I explained to her how I wanted to go about with the birth of my son, suggested that I most definitely go with a midwife. She herself is a midwife, however she only works exclusively for Cooperstown Hospital, and seeing that I am moving out to Schenectady, I've decided that an hour and a half trip to the hospital during labor might just prove to be more than I feel like dealing with =) I was a little torn when I had to leave Mrs. Martha, but she was able to give me some names and numbers of a few excellent midwives (whom she actually trained herself!!) who work at St. Peter's. Now I am in the process of getting my Medicaid and P-CAP to transfer from one county to another... playing the waiting game. Once all of the paperwork goes through, I assume it will be okay to contact St. Peter's and let them know, I'm COMING!! =)
My birthing plans are as follows... (and yes, I am very aware that my hope and wishes for labor and delivery may turn upside down and backwards, depending on the circumstances... but a girl can dream!!) I really want to do an all natural birth. NO EPIDURAL!! Boo to them. =) And I've read all about how to massage (or even how to let my partner ;) massage) my "area down there" starting week 34-36 to make things more supple to stretching instead of ripping... so I am hoping for NO EPISIOTOMY!! To assist in my hope for no episiotomy, I believe I would like to go with the laboring position of the squat... feel flat, knees apart, crouched down like you're squatting to pee outside in the woods! =) Sexy image, isn't it. Haha The reason I've taken a liking to this position is for a few different reasons, actually. The first reason is because for first time labors, it really helps to widen the hips and whole area basically, allowing for less ripping or tearing. Second, the idea of gravity handling it's own business makes pretty good sense to me! If I'm squatting, I am already in position for my son to just... drop on into the world! They say the squatting potition helps reduce labor by an average of 26 minutes. My third reason for wanting to deliver in this position is, women in several other countries seem to choose this position for tranquil reasons. In India, women almost 100% of the time deliver in this position, and the need for medication or routine cutting of the vaginal opening is in the single diget percentile. Two thumbs up!! The squatting position also releases the preassure on the back during contractions. BUT... if for any reason, squatting just isn't my thing, my second choice will be on all fours, doogy style baby. Haha Or even possibly a birthing stool or ball. All of these choices deviate from the painful and uncomfortable (so I've heard) on your back position. With the back pains I've already been experiencing, I am more than ready to sign up for less back pain during delivery! =)
I 200% plan on breastfeeding!! I would ultimately like to solely breastfeed for one whole year, no solid foods introduced. This, again, may not be practical or ideal for my situtions down the road but for now, I think it would be really beneficial to my son. I've read a lot about the dangers of sugars in certain baby foods before one year of age and the possibilities of allergies to certain foods developing in the baby's first year of life, and all of these studies show that solely breastfeeding for the child's entire first year can cut back on these risks. Who knows what will happen down the road... but again, I can dream =)
On Monday, November 30th, I will be heading down to the Women's Health Group office within the Albany Med. division for a 3D/4D sonogram!! =) I am super excited to see my son again, and in 3D non the less! It's going to be as if I were holiding him right in front of me =) I will get to see his facial features and all!! Plus, my mommy (Grandma Penny) and Akeem a.k.a Daddy will be there to witness, a first time for both of them to see my son in action!! I have a feeling it's going to be an emotional day... The only downside to it, is that the reason I am having to get this test done is to moniter my son's spinal cord to make sure that everything is developing correctly. My younger sister, Abigail, was born (unknowingly, until she was 7) with some neural tube defects; her spinal cord never closed off on the top, thus creating a pool of spinal fluid in her brain!! She had to go through 3 consecutive brain surgeries to correct the problem. My little sister was very lucky that we caught her case when we did, otherwise it could have been life threatening. Neural tube defects can lead to paralization of the arms and legs, brain damage, and even (in the most extreme cases) mental retardation (downs syndrom) and death. I have faith that my son is developing properly, but there is still that small 20% chance that he hasn't... we are keeping him in our prayers and crossing our fingers and toes!! I'm so thankful my mom is going with me to this appointment, so that she can get a better look at whats going on. She's super smart when it comes to asking the right questions for medical things. Overall, I am confident we will only hear good news!! =)
Other news, we finally have a date set to sign our new lease for our new apartment! Saturday, November 28th, we will officially be residents of Schenectady, NY =) But we won't have power til Monday the 30th haha but that's ok. I have to house sit for the 'rents this weekend anyway. On Saturday however, during the day, Akeem and I plan on moving in as many little things as we can fit in my car, as well as clean everything top to bottom in the apartment before getting the big stuff in there. (Just thinking now though, it might be kinda hard to do so without water... maybe it's just the hot water that won't work yet? We shall see...) Although I work 8am to 10pm on Sunday, my parents and Akeem plan on moving all the big things in (i.e. the bed, entertainment stand, couch etc.) Then during the week that follows, I will have the apartment to myself to get things situated and moved around to how they look presentable. I'm super excited to get moved in, cleaned up, and settled down. I can't wait for that first home cooked meal in my new apartment =)
Besides all that movement in life, I am in the process of starting plans and preparations for my baby showers!! I know, I know, I'm supposed to let someone else do them for me... but I really want to be a part of it. I think it's exciting. Plus, I already know when it's gonna be... so just let me help =D I have already picked out colors (chocolate brown, sky blue, mint green) and am trying to decide what I want to do for souveniers. Any ideas? I want to do something along the lines of something useful (i.e. candles, candy etc.) instead of giving out dust collectors for your shelf! =) I should also be starting a registry this weekend sometime... there are so many choices of where to go to... I've got no idea where to start really. But I think Babies R Us and Wal Mart will be my main options, seeing as to how they are most accesable to friends and family invited. I will let you know links and such as they come about =)
So, now that we are at the end of this post, I won't promise another updadte soon. Maybe that will break the jinx on taking forever to do so =) I will say simply, a Happy Thanksgiving to all! I pray that you are all out enjoying this holiday in whatever manner you see fit. I know I've done a lot of thinking today about my family and friends whom I value most in my life. I come to realize quite a bit about myself as well. And of course, I am most thankful this year for the little blessing in my uterus!! =) And thankfu for the family that his father and I will be bringing him into. We are going to have the luckiest son in the world (in our eyes!!) Until next post, all my love and blessings for serenity! =)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
BFF's Birthday, Baby shower, visiting Akeem and WHAT AM I HAVING??? BOY?? GIRL?? ;)
Hello, Hello, Hello!! Again, I have been MIA for the past few weeks... my apologies. With work and then running back and forth between Liberty, NYC, and upstate, I've been going non-stop. The last thing I want to do these days is get on this computer (because when I do, I tend to be here for HOURS! lol) I write to you now as I sit here watching The Price Is Right and eating chicken noodle soup! =) I've got pleanty to catch you up on though, so here we go.
Let's start with the weekend of October 23rd!! My bestfriend (no spaces) =) MELISSA GOENAGAAAA's 22nd SUPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTAYYY!! It was hosted by yours truely and set up by her one & only boobie John H. ;) I can't even tell you what a success it was. So many people from Spirit Cruises showed up to help celebrate!! (Thank you sooo mcuh guys, you made it what it was!) Of course, I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures, but I know Melly has a few. John took her out to the movies while we all snuck into her house to set up. We all helped to blow up balloons galore and get the drinks and food ready. I was worried there wouldn't be enough liquor for everyone, but then everyone surprised me and brought a bottle as a gift, so we had more than enough! I was able to remember (with my pregnancy brain) to bring Melly her birthday gift from me =) (a jar of homemade pickles!!) Lol she LOVED 'em!! Shout out to my step-dad Peter!! According to Melly, he's the best pickler in the world! Haha By about midnight, I couldn't stay awake any longer so I had to leave the festivities, but she was already too tipsy to be mad that I was skipping out =) She looked so gorgeous!
Saturday night, that same weekend, Akeem and I attended our friend T's baby shower. It was so much fun. Even though I am pretty sure (other than the kids) I was the only one NOT getting drunk =) we still had an amazing time. I've been to a ton of baby showers in the past, but being at one while poregnant really brought on a whole other emotion for me. It was funny to watch the games going on and then the music and dancing and everyone just having a blast. (Baby showers in the city are a far bit more different than the ones we have here upstate... in the city, baby showers start at 6 or 7pm and last until midnight or later. There is always a ton of homecooked food and liquor for days. Once the food has been eaten and the gift's have been opened, the lights go down and the real party begins. Loud music is played all throughout the night (except during gift time) and people dance like it's a club!!) It's hysterical to watch everyone acting a fool once they get drunk =) I used to be one of those fools. Is it strange that I feel like I may never drink again?!? Yuck... even the smell of alcohol now a days makes me want to throw up. I really enjoyed being able to observe the baby shower though. I got some really great ideas for my shower in the city and I just can't wait... it's going to be so amazing. =) T is having a baby boy as well. The clothes he got were soooo cute!! I can't wait to dress up my child lol. By about midnight we left the baby shower and headed back to Grandma Prem's house for the night (Akeem's mommy.)
On Sunday, we headed over to Melly's house again to play some RckBand: The Beatles Edition =) I was myself, Melly, Akeem, John and Ashely all playing. It was funny as hell to see us all rocking out. We played for a good three hours or so and then just spent time hanging out together. By about 7:30pm Akeem and I left to head back up to his school. I had planned on making it to Woodbury Commons to get some maternity pants, but we missed it. (I've tried a few times to get maternity pants now and something always happens where I don't get the change to go and get some.) I really do need to get some here shortly. I still fit into my current jeans, however, its getting a liiittle bit more difficult to wiggle into them. My hips and rear end have really begun to... expand... lol. My belly isn't that big yet, but oh BOY I know it will start to grow soon. =)
As for the rest of the week that followed, nothing much special happened... just worked and worked. Akeem came upstate for Halloween and stayed until Monday. I drove him back to school in the morning, planning to come back and go on an interview that afternoon but my interview was cancelled so I was able to stay the entire day with him at school. It was really nice. I got to take a nap cuddled up in his bed while he went to class. We got to hang out and I got to meet some new people that are new at school. I went to work with him, and we ate lunch together. Then we took another nap in the evening together haha. We went to Wal*Mart so he could get a few things for his room and then cooked dinner in the dorm room haha! By midningt, I left to head back home. It was the best day ever. I love being able to hang out in his "space." He is so often coming upstate here, that it was really nice to get away from that normal pattern for a day. It really made me think seriously about the whole "babymoon" thing =) I've already started planning shhh ;) OH, OH, OH!! While I was at his school, there was a brief moment I swear I felt the baby move. It was just a sweep across the inside on my left side. It was quick and I only felt it once, so I may be wrong, but something about the movement just felt... different. It wasn't a gas bubble, I don't believe. But I am only in my 15th week, and they do say it can take up to 18 weeks before you start to feel movement... paitently waiting =)
And as for this week, I must say, it has been one of my most exciting yet!! BREAKING NEWS!! Yesterday, November 4th, I found out I am going to have a BOY!! A SON!!! IT'S GOING TO BE A BOYYYYY!!! =D I wasn't expecting at all to be able to tell so soon, but thank goodness my baby boy stuck his butt out towards us, legs WIDE open and there it was!! A weee weeee!!! Haha!! It was sooo magical to see! When I first discovered I was pregnant, I had a gut feeling it was a boy, but as time continued and I was reading up on all the old wives tales and each person would tell me something different, I began to be more and more unsure. I eventually just admitted to myself that I was convinced that I had no idea what it was going to be on Monday this week. I mean, I've been craving hot sauce and vegetable like nuts (supposed to be a sign that it's a boy) but the main area(s) of my weight gain so far and been in my butt, hips and thighs (sign that it's a girl!!) Plus, I was told that if you are emotional, it'a a girl and if you are angry more often, it's a boy. I've definitely been emotional. Full House made me cry the other day... lol. But then my mom told me yesterday that she should have figured I would be having a boy... she said she was never as emotional as I was and she had two girls. I guess it just goes to prove that there is no set way to tell what your child will be until you pop it out! =) My boss walked into work yesterday and told me, "It's a boy." I said, "How did you know?!" She told me, "I can just tell by the way you're carrying... it's down low." I told her that yes, it was a boy!! As for where I'm carrying, yes, it is very low. Everything in below my belly button. It's wierd because when I lay down and start pressing lightly from down low to up higher, as soon as I hit my belly button, it's squishy again, not hard. So I could tell my baby was sitting low, but I just figured it was low because it was tiny still... but nope, it's low because IT"S A BOYYYYY and it's tiny still lol. I can't wait to get my big basketball looking belly!! I must say, I really do enjoy being pregnant. It's amazing =) During the ultrasound, my son was moving like nuts! He was first facing down, then he faced out towards us, then he flipped up real quick and the tech snapped a picture, and then he was facing down again. He would not stay still for a good picture. And his legs were kicking a mile a minute!! Haha it was so funny to watch. It looked like he was jumping on a trampoline or something. And as soon as the tech shows me his penis, he goes and puts his hand on it!! LOL!! The tech said, typical boy, they always find it!! Haha this news really made daddy laugh... like father, like son!! I was able to see my son's brain, heart, stomache, and bladder. Everything was right size, and running perfect tech said. She alos let me know when she showed me his brain that when my son is a teenager and acts like he has no brain, I can officially say I've seen it, so I know he's got one!! =) Yesterday, after the ultrasound, I also got some more bloodwork done for a quad screen and to see if I am a carrier for cystic fibrosis. I made an appointment for December 4th at 9am for my 3-D sonogram to take a closer look at the spine to make sure there is no neural tube defects (which I might be at high risk for since my sister had some.) So please, keep my son in your prayers! Let's pray he's growing strong and healthy. With the way he was flipping and swimming around, he loks like he's gonna be a hand full! =) The tech asked me if I had felt any movement yet, with the way he was moving. She told me it shouldn't be long, he seems to be active =)
Well, I've got to get going now, I've got a job interview at 3 and i need to get my butt into the shower!! I will write again SOON!! I promise =) Next to come, birthing plans, hospital and doctor choices, the next big move into our new apartment, and nursery plans!! I will post pictures very soon as well! Until next post, all my love!!
Let's start with the weekend of October 23rd!! My bestfriend (no spaces) =) MELISSA GOENAGAAAA's 22nd SUPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTAYYY!! It was hosted by yours truely and set up by her one & only boobie John H. ;) I can't even tell you what a success it was. So many people from Spirit Cruises showed up to help celebrate!! (Thank you sooo mcuh guys, you made it what it was!) Of course, I forgot my camera, so I have no pictures, but I know Melly has a few. John took her out to the movies while we all snuck into her house to set up. We all helped to blow up balloons galore and get the drinks and food ready. I was worried there wouldn't be enough liquor for everyone, but then everyone surprised me and brought a bottle as a gift, so we had more than enough! I was able to remember (with my pregnancy brain) to bring Melly her birthday gift from me =) (a jar of homemade pickles!!) Lol she LOVED 'em!! Shout out to my step-dad Peter!! According to Melly, he's the best pickler in the world! Haha By about midnight, I couldn't stay awake any longer so I had to leave the festivities, but she was already too tipsy to be mad that I was skipping out =) She looked so gorgeous!
Saturday night, that same weekend, Akeem and I attended our friend T's baby shower. It was so much fun. Even though I am pretty sure (other than the kids) I was the only one NOT getting drunk =) we still had an amazing time. I've been to a ton of baby showers in the past, but being at one while poregnant really brought on a whole other emotion for me. It was funny to watch the games going on and then the music and dancing and everyone just having a blast. (Baby showers in the city are a far bit more different than the ones we have here upstate... in the city, baby showers start at 6 or 7pm and last until midnight or later. There is always a ton of homecooked food and liquor for days. Once the food has been eaten and the gift's have been opened, the lights go down and the real party begins. Loud music is played all throughout the night (except during gift time) and people dance like it's a club!!) It's hysterical to watch everyone acting a fool once they get drunk =) I used to be one of those fools. Is it strange that I feel like I may never drink again?!? Yuck... even the smell of alcohol now a days makes me want to throw up. I really enjoyed being able to observe the baby shower though. I got some really great ideas for my shower in the city and I just can't wait... it's going to be so amazing. =) T is having a baby boy as well. The clothes he got were soooo cute!! I can't wait to dress up my child lol. By about midnight we left the baby shower and headed back to Grandma Prem's house for the night (Akeem's mommy.)
On Sunday, we headed over to Melly's house again to play some RckBand: The Beatles Edition =) I was myself, Melly, Akeem, John and Ashely all playing. It was funny as hell to see us all rocking out. We played for a good three hours or so and then just spent time hanging out together. By about 7:30pm Akeem and I left to head back up to his school. I had planned on making it to Woodbury Commons to get some maternity pants, but we missed it. (I've tried a few times to get maternity pants now and something always happens where I don't get the change to go and get some.) I really do need to get some here shortly. I still fit into my current jeans, however, its getting a liiittle bit more difficult to wiggle into them. My hips and rear end have really begun to... expand... lol. My belly isn't that big yet, but oh BOY I know it will start to grow soon. =)
As for the rest of the week that followed, nothing much special happened... just worked and worked. Akeem came upstate for Halloween and stayed until Monday. I drove him back to school in the morning, planning to come back and go on an interview that afternoon but my interview was cancelled so I was able to stay the entire day with him at school. It was really nice. I got to take a nap cuddled up in his bed while he went to class. We got to hang out and I got to meet some new people that are new at school. I went to work with him, and we ate lunch together. Then we took another nap in the evening together haha. We went to Wal*Mart so he could get a few things for his room and then cooked dinner in the dorm room haha! By midningt, I left to head back home. It was the best day ever. I love being able to hang out in his "space." He is so often coming upstate here, that it was really nice to get away from that normal pattern for a day. It really made me think seriously about the whole "babymoon" thing =) I've already started planning shhh ;) OH, OH, OH!! While I was at his school, there was a brief moment I swear I felt the baby move. It was just a sweep across the inside on my left side. It was quick and I only felt it once, so I may be wrong, but something about the movement just felt... different. It wasn't a gas bubble, I don't believe. But I am only in my 15th week, and they do say it can take up to 18 weeks before you start to feel movement... paitently waiting =)
And as for this week, I must say, it has been one of my most exciting yet!! BREAKING NEWS!! Yesterday, November 4th, I found out I am going to have a BOY!! A SON!!! IT'S GOING TO BE A BOYYYYY!!! =D I wasn't expecting at all to be able to tell so soon, but thank goodness my baby boy stuck his butt out towards us, legs WIDE open and there it was!! A weee weeee!!! Haha!! It was sooo magical to see! When I first discovered I was pregnant, I had a gut feeling it was a boy, but as time continued and I was reading up on all the old wives tales and each person would tell me something different, I began to be more and more unsure. I eventually just admitted to myself that I was convinced that I had no idea what it was going to be on Monday this week. I mean, I've been craving hot sauce and vegetable like nuts (supposed to be a sign that it's a boy) but the main area(s) of my weight gain so far and been in my butt, hips and thighs (sign that it's a girl!!) Plus, I was told that if you are emotional, it'a a girl and if you are angry more often, it's a boy. I've definitely been emotional. Full House made me cry the other day... lol. But then my mom told me yesterday that she should have figured I would be having a boy... she said she was never as emotional as I was and she had two girls. I guess it just goes to prove that there is no set way to tell what your child will be until you pop it out! =) My boss walked into work yesterday and told me, "It's a boy." I said, "How did you know?!" She told me, "I can just tell by the way you're carrying... it's down low." I told her that yes, it was a boy!! As for where I'm carrying, yes, it is very low. Everything in below my belly button. It's wierd because when I lay down and start pressing lightly from down low to up higher, as soon as I hit my belly button, it's squishy again, not hard. So I could tell my baby was sitting low, but I just figured it was low because it was tiny still... but nope, it's low because IT"S A BOYYYYY and it's tiny still lol. I can't wait to get my big basketball looking belly!! I must say, I really do enjoy being pregnant. It's amazing =) During the ultrasound, my son was moving like nuts! He was first facing down, then he faced out towards us, then he flipped up real quick and the tech snapped a picture, and then he was facing down again. He would not stay still for a good picture. And his legs were kicking a mile a minute!! Haha it was so funny to watch. It looked like he was jumping on a trampoline or something. And as soon as the tech shows me his penis, he goes and puts his hand on it!! LOL!! The tech said, typical boy, they always find it!! Haha this news really made daddy laugh... like father, like son!! I was able to see my son's brain, heart, stomache, and bladder. Everything was right size, and running perfect tech said. She alos let me know when she showed me his brain that when my son is a teenager and acts like he has no brain, I can officially say I've seen it, so I know he's got one!! =) Yesterday, after the ultrasound, I also got some more bloodwork done for a quad screen and to see if I am a carrier for cystic fibrosis. I made an appointment for December 4th at 9am for my 3-D sonogram to take a closer look at the spine to make sure there is no neural tube defects (which I might be at high risk for since my sister had some.) So please, keep my son in your prayers! Let's pray he's growing strong and healthy. With the way he was flipping and swimming around, he loks like he's gonna be a hand full! =) The tech asked me if I had felt any movement yet, with the way he was moving. She told me it shouldn't be long, he seems to be active =)
Well, I've got to get going now, I've got a job interview at 3 and i need to get my butt into the shower!! I will write again SOON!! I promise =) Next to come, birthing plans, hospital and doctor choices, the next big move into our new apartment, and nursery plans!! I will post pictures very soon as well! Until next post, all my love!!
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