Intro.. the beginning!

This is my blog... it's going to be far from exciting, at least most of the time. Probably not very funny, and most likely plain old boring. But, that's what these are for right?? (Remember that I am pushing thirty so you really have to cut me some slack on this whole "technology" thing)

Ok, so in a quickie introduction, I'm Mandi. I live in the midwest, my husband is a radiographer (which just means he takes x-rays and performs CT scans), and I have two beautiful daughters - a two year old, curly headed tomboy and a two and a half month old little "firemonster" (she has quite the temper, combined with a big set of lungs). They are both great, but so far seem to have completely different personalities! We've been married for three years (already!) and have been together since 2000; it seems like forever, though!

I currently have an associate's degree in nursing and work as a L&D nurse at a small rural hospital. As a small unit which averages around 300-400 deliveries yearly, all nurses do antepartum, intrapartum (labor), and postpartum care, as well as some post-discharge newborn assessments including weight checks and phototherapy. I also teach childbirth education classes. I *love* OB nursing, and can't imagine doing anything else... if I ever have to take care of any non-pregnant women, or see a penis more than an inch long (professionally, I mean!!), I don't know if I'll know what to do! I am planning to complete my bachelor's this December, and am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be accepted and able to start a Master's program as early as January.

I am on the fence - I am fascinated and thrilled by the idea of becoming a nurse-midwife, but in this area there are very, very few openings available. A more 'solid' choice would be to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner, but then I'd likely have to start working with other patient populations than just my moms and babies --- gasp! So this is one of the biggest dilemmas I'm facing right now....

OK, blah blah. This is my life...