A 3G baby

It was somehow always destined to happen this way.

When Michele went for a baby check up last Tuesday and was told that our second baby was imminent (like, within 24 hours) we began immediate final preparations for what then eventually didn't happen for another 5 days. As at Tuesday, it seemed likely that we would escape a birth on 1 July (Michele's birthday, and also my Dad's (this year, 60th) birthday).

But it was not to be. With the calendar pages barely turned, things started happening around 1am this morning, whereupon a distinctly-more-tense-and-frantic-rush-than-I-recall-us-having-with-Jack began to ensue, to ensure that we appeared at the hospital before baby started appearing into the world. The hospital is a good 25 mins away, not counting the detour we had to take to drop Jack off with friends. Arriving at the hospital at around 2.45am, Michele then breathlessly (literally) sped through the last few stages of labour in a mere 45 mins, and gave birth to Emma Elizabeth at 3.34am. A third generation of our family now to share a birthday with Princess Diana - a beautiful (and against our expectations) baby girl weighing in at 7lb 4oz.

Needless to say, we are all dead chuffed. And, through the wonders of technology, you can see all of the pictures we have taken today here.

We took Jack in to meet his new sister (who, for weeks, he has been convinced is in fact a "lobster" - don't ask why, because I have no idea) this afternoon. Rather smitten he was too.

And at bedtime tonight back home, where Daddy and Jack had their usual post-match analysis of the day's events, Jack launched into a heart-warming monologue about how he wanted to share all his toys, books, clothes (including beloved "Pirates" t-shirt), lunches (including chips WITH ketchup), bathtimes, and generally his life, with "Baby Emma".

Having kids. Best thing in the world...