WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY

Until my sister-in-law Priscilla had her first child, I'd never heard of Lamaze or La Leche League. Dear Pris was a bit of a renegade, you see, as everyone in my family bottle-fed their babies, wanted all the drugs they could get during delivery, and couldn't imagine why anyone would actually want their hubbies to be in the delivery room with them, to see them in such a state! Hospitals were slow to get on board with the new programs, however, and when Priscilla opted to have her second child at home with a midwife, our parents really thought she had lost it. Me? Well, I thank my lucky stars every day that she was there to pave the way for me and my daughters, for it is due in large part to her and her renegade compadres that we now have places like the Austin Area Birthing Center, where Little Goober will be born!

Miss Alexis invited Hubby and I to meet her at the birthing center yesterday, for her now-weekly-appointment with the midwife, and to take a tour of the facility. To tell you the truth, I was a bit blown away!

All but one of the birthing rooms was actually in use, but the one that we did get to see -- the Austin Music themed room - was absolutely fabulous. Turns out, it's the one Lexi and Nate listed as their top choice.

There's also a big walk-in shower in the restroom, where expectant mothers can sit on a balance ball with warm, soothing water raining down on them.

Love those little packets of smelling salts, taped strategically around the room!

Then there is this lovely waiting area for families, with tea kettle, where John and I will be hanging out.

I even got to hear Goober's strong little heartbeat while I was there! Best of all, the midwife says we are 70% effaced, with everything progressing exactly as it should be for an arrival on or around her  due date this Saturday -- and, she'd be very, very shocked if we went more than one week past. Woohoo!