Feb 22: Birth Day!

Considering the amount of times I've been seeing "222" in the months leading up to the birth, I wasn't really surprised when it was time to go to the hospital very early on the 22nd Feb - another 222.

It started with the "2-2-2" (two eggs, two sausages, two slices of toast) breakfast special at the Indian Creek cafe on the Oregon Coast. Over the next few months there were regular sightings of 2:22 on clocks, number plates, addresses and cash registers, until the sightings became a tsunami in the week leading up to the 22nd... right up to the evening of the evening of the 21st when the cooking classes and ingredients came to a grand total of $222.

Pain aside (!!!) the birthing experience was an enjoyable one. I was surrounded by three very warm and nurturing midwives and two men -- one, my ever-supportive and loving husband, and the second, (dressed in Hard Yakka overalls and white knee-high rubber boots -- do you think he was taking "labour" too literally?), the obstetrician. With the help of two bouts of epidural relief, bebe was born after 8 hours of a relaxed and ipod-fuelled stress-free labour.

Today I am thankful for the friends around the world who were lighting candles and saying prayers for the safe delivery of our shining star and the wellbeing for both of us. Knowing that these intentions were being offered on my behalf was an incredible source of comfort and strength for me.