Back to the Bubble

Living in Massachusetts, sometimes one forgets what a lovely little bubble protects us. Legal marriage, and the benefits and rights it bestows, can occasionally make us forget that there's a huge segment of this country that isn't actually happy for us, or for our little Bean.

Like the segment right next door to us - admittedly, not the "huge" part mentioned above, but a segment nonetheless.

Our very own, usually-beloved, state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. (Little state, big name. Kind of a taxonomic Napoleon complex.) And it very clearly demarcates the edge of our bubble.

Several phone calls to both Women and Infants' Hospital, and the state Board of health, have determined that babies born in Rhode Island may have one (1) Mommy and one (1) Daddy. No other possibility is allowed. Not on the birth certificate, at any rate. Someone else, a Mummy, for instance, may adopt the little tyke at a later date, but it will not be a complete family that leaves the hospital.

And so we return to our bubble, and to the security that it provides our little family. M. has talked with several other moms at her school, who have recommended Ob/Gyns in our very own town. And indeed, it turns out that the little hospital down the road from us has a fabulous birthing center. Who knew? So with great sadness, we will be saying goodbye to our midwife and the amazing nurses we had come to love and trust, and moving a little closer to home. Back to the bubble, and not taking anything for granted.

Meanwhile, many thanks to Joni for her wonderful willingness to help us find information - and to keep us laughing. (Bean says thank you, too.)