30 Weeks

10 weeks to go. Oh dear. I partially want to fast forward to the moment the Mave is born, while partially wanting to hit pause thinking about how everything is going to change. It's a whirlwind of mixed emotions, but both Paul and I are well up for the challenge of being parents. At this point we'd better be, right?
In preparation, we're taking some classes in a few weeks. Last night we went to an orientation at Encino-Tarzana hospital, where we're having the baby. I'd heard so many great things about the birthing center at this hospital that I decided I wanted to give birth there, despite there being a decent hospital 5 minutes down the road. Encino-Tarzana hospital is a 20 minute drive on the freeway, which could end up being longer if the Mave happens to decide rush hour is a good time to start her journey out. I'm not worried about giving birth in 30-40 minutes or anything (that would just be wishful thinking). I'm just trying to imagine what fantastical cuss words will be flying out of my mouth if stuck in traffic AND in labor. I'll probably have to write a whole new dictionary after the experience.
So back on track, we went to the orientation, sat in a room of very pregnant women shoving cheesecake into their gobs (afterthought: why did I opt for the cookie when I could have had the cheesecake?), and watched a slide show. Then they had a raffle. I know Paul was terribly upset to not win one of the daddy diaper bags, but I made up for it when I won a 20-pack of diapers! I won! And these ain't no storebought diapers; these are hospital grade absorbancy, baby! It says so on the packaging.
Anyway... the hospital is great (as far as hospitals go). They have an entire wing devoted to birthing, and it didn't seem stale like hospitals often do. The labor & delivery rooms are large and have beds made specifically for birthing (the bottom portion can be removed, making it easier for the OB to deliver the baby), and a bathroom with a sit down shower. There is also a warmer and bath center so the baby can stay with you after birth instead of having to get bathed in another room. After recovering for about an hour in the delivery rooms, you go to the postnatal room. These rooms are all singles!! YAY! No having to share a bathroom with a stranger (one of my least favorite things to do). They even have sleeper chairs so I don't have to worry about Paul being uncomfortable. So it looks like this hospital is well deserving of all the hype.
The Mave is doing well. Not much has changed since last week. I'll try to get an updated belly picture up in the next week.