I was just about to sit down and write my NaBloPoMo post yesterday (and it was going to be a spectacular one, I'm sure) when I got THE PHONE CALL.

I rushed off to the hospital to be with my daughter during labor. They have some really cool things now that weren't available when I was having babies. Like a ginormous room that was combo labor, delivery and after care room, with a comfortable fold out couch and sleeper chair for dad and/or visitors.

They had videos, food and drinks for Momma and Dad in an easy accessible, serve-yourself room. Not that Momma was eating anything more than ice chips, but still.

The best new invention, however, was the drugs-on-demand pump. They gave her a big dose of epidural then she had a button she could push to deliver more whenever she wanted it. This would have been a perfect situation—IF THE ANESTHETIST HAD REMEMBERED TO PRESS THE START BUTTON! But other than the two hours between when her epidural wore off and they finally figured out what the problem was and remedied it, she did great.

Baby was born November 21 at 3:49 a.m. 7 lbs 10 oz, 20 ins.

Grandpa Jim asked how hard the whole experience had been. Momma said, "Not as bad as everyone said it would be..."

Hope she's still feeling that way today.

See photos in Photo area.