HAPPY THANKSGIVING =)

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! =)