Hands down, best birthday ever!!

It is official...I am the luckiest guy in the world! And my 33rd birthday is a testimony to my good fortune.

The day started early, about 2am Jen woke me up to tell me her contractions were stronger and more regular. We had some quality husband and wife time to share in the excitement of a soon-to-be delivery of our new baby. We discussed dreams and goals and plans, and everything seemed so endless and exciting...we got to doze in and out for a few hours and then our baby girl woke us up right on schedule at 7am.

We had a great breakfast with Cindy and Sam, a short stroll outside as part of Sam's daily routine and then opened a few presents (and Jen's contractions kept on regularly every 6-8 mins but without terrible pain). The weather was absolutely perfect about 75deg and warm with no wind so Jen and I took advantage of Sam's first nap to take a walk on the beach, just she and I (when was the last time that happened??) I got to surf a short but fabulously sweet session at the point with steady fun waves. I knew it was my birthday because right as I paddled out a huge set wave came right to me and I got an amazing ride that just kept going and going...

We returned home for a nice lunch with Cindy and Sam and then took Sam to the park for some fun outside time. She played with some cute girls (and Jen just kept on contracting). Finally when we returned home we decided to get to the hospital because the contractions were now only 3-4 mins apart and getting more uncomfotable...

So about 4pm we WALKED over to the hospital to enjoy some more sunshine (does it get better than that??) and Jen was 4 cm. Almost immediately upon getting into our room the contractions got much more painful and we knew Jen was changing quickly. By 530pm she was 6-7cm and the epidural was needed. Dr. Kotobi helped Jen feel so much better and she was able to relax until the time came to push. She rested and Cindy and I played Scrabble (of course I pummeled her since it was my birthday and all)...

Jen had such a great labor course, such a nice change from the first time!! It was so much less stressful for all of us, except by 930pm I was getting anxious that she wouldn't deliver by midnight and thoughout the day I had become VERY EXCITED about sharing a birthday with my new son/daughter. So needless to say I was getting antsy, not to mention the fact I was dying to know this new little person!!

Well patience truly paid off because by the time Jen was ready to push at 10pm she only had a little ways to go and by 1051...boom there was Henry ("IT'S A BOY" I immediately shouted as he came charging out). He was so healthy and pink and barely made a peep even from the get-go (Will he be a calm baby??). The only confusion was what his middle name was??? Jen had just told the nurse "Henry Michael" but earlier in the day at the park we had discussed possibly using "Henry Payson" if it was a boy born on my birthday. Well I guess she had forgotten that conversation (but I hadn't)...

Needless to say I didn't bring it up right away so as to avoid any possible sore subject. I had even already called my parents and told them "Henry Michael". But later as the nurse was confirming the name for the birth certificate I mentioned to Jen our earlier conversation and she immediately agreed that "Henry Payson" was perfect! It truly did seemed a fitting end to the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER...

(And I called my parents back to tell them his name was really "Henry Payson").

And this birthday just kept on giving...The next day Jen and I woke up to another beautiful day with our new little Hank-ster, and he was already feeding and sleeping well. I went home to spend some time with Samantha to make sure she was doing alright. We had some great father-daughter time and did some fun errands to get a few nice things for the house for mommy. Upon returning from our trip out, I took Sam from her car seat, put her on the driveway and BAM...she just starts walking!! Unbelievable, 12 hours after her little brother is born she starts toddling around. Cindy got home to see her walking (always on her own time and volition, you can't prompt her to do it!) I am convinced it was one final gift for daddy on this greatest of birthdays...