Yesterday was River's first trip to Berkeley. It was also his first attempt at the YMCA childwatch services.

Let me just sing Hallelujah for the YMCA childwatch services!

I've always been a YMCA person, from the time as a child when the one in Indiana gave my family a temporarily free membership to help us through a hard time. I spent what seemed like every day of the summer at the Y pool growing up, so it was a no-brainer when it came time to join a gym out here. The Berkeley Y is especially friendly. And this childwatch thing -- $2.50 per half hour up to 2 hours a day so that I can go workout and not worry about him (they do come get you if he's inconsolable); once he's 6 or 7 I can put him in KidZone, where he'll have more interative activities (and it's free!), and they even do a "Kids Night Out" where you pay something like $20 for him to stay for an evening while you can *leave the gym* (this from age 3 on, I believe).

Anyway, yesterday, after a longish registration process, I left River in the care of a very nice man and ran off to do some cardio, weight lifting, and stretching. I came back to make sure he was ok, and found him fast asleep in his caretaker's arms. I had a nice steam and a shower (a shower! How many days do I not get a shower in because he wants to be on me and I can't shower while holding a baby?) and came back to him still asleep. The caretakers seemed fairly charmed by him, and I was relieved that River did ok. Luckily it was slow, so they could just hold him the whole time (he almost never screams for no reason, but sometimes that reason is that he's lonely). It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but they all seem really competent (I watched them handle a baby that WAS inconsolable, and they tried every trick I would've, and were very patient with her while they waited for someone to get her mom). Anyway, tomorrow I am going to try a whole yoga class while River is in childwatch (luckily it's during the slow time). So excited! And Friday we're going to try the mom and baby dance class; I bet he'll just love that.

Speaking of loving, people in Berkeley LOVE River's name. Raise your hand if that surprises you. I got a lot of grandma-types chatting me up, and when we got to the "what's his name" part (or, more typically, "what's your name, little guy?" as if the baby will answer, making me feel a bit silly answering for him) their true-hippie roots come out as they say, in a groovy voice, "Ooh, cool name!" It really made me realize how many of these supposedly "grandma types" were probably wild-child 1960's Berkeley hippies. Every experience with this yesterday totally delighted me.

It also made me decide that, when we move in a few months, I'm definitely going to prioritize Berkeley apartments. Not only is it closer to the gym, but people really are just friendlier up there. I like Berkeley's vibe :-)

Anyway, we then bugged Susan to come hang out with us at a cafe while we ate, which was lovely. A great day out in Berkeley! The first of many, I'm sure.