Benjamin Maurits John born March 7th, 2011

Last night, just after Sunday the 6th became Monday the 7th, Caroline wrote a blog entry celebrating Anneke's birth three years ago. I suspect shortly after hitting "Post," she came upstairs and told me that she just started having honest contractions. Two hours later we called for backup from Diane who came to stay with Anneke. I gathered our bags and packed the car while Caroline labored in bed and in the bath, tracking contractions on her iPhone (yes, of course there is an app for that). As we pulled up to the hospital Caroline declared "There is no shame in an epidural!" I agreed. Alas, there was no time such niceties. The first exam from the resident OB determined the head was in the birth canal. Fifteen minutes and three pushes later our new son was born, within three hours of Anneke's exact three year birth date and time. Our family's future of sharing one birthday between two children looms ahead of us.

I am so proud of Caroline and my new son. Anneke's first words to her new baby brother were "Hi Ben!" Our happy family has grown by one, and it is just now starting to feel less surreal. I look forward to being home as a family again.

-Dad