A week earlier than expected little Miss Minnie Howlett decided to make her way in to the big wide world yesterday morning, 23^rd June 2008, at 8:08 am. Her entry was a little more dramatic than her big brother's 18 months ago. More on that in a mo.

Here's a re-creation of the photo of her brother from the day he was born. See the similarity!?

Things started in the normal way and it looked like our planned home birth was going to go ahead. We probably left it a little late to call the midwife though and before we knew it (and before the midwife had arrived) Karen was in the bath and wanting to push. At this point it dawned on me I could well be doing the delivery myself. Needless to say I didn't fancy the idea and called 999. Within 10 minutes an ambulance arrived. Within another 10 minutes we were in the maternity ward. It's amazing how fast you can get somewhere with blue lights flashing and the rush hour traffic parting to make way.

Within 10 minutes of being in the hosptital Minnie arrived. Daddy was, yet again, reduced to a babbling fool crying like a little baby.

On Saturday night we were next door and the whole of the street was there. We got a sweepstake going on sex and weight. It turns out I was spot on with the weight but got the sex wrong. I'd been convinced it would be another boy. Howlett men just don't have girls. Apparently. Well, I'm glad I did. She's a little beauty and I'm as proud as punch.

Things might be a little quiet for the rest of the week although I'll try and post more techy stuff if I can. I need a couple of days paternity to help Karen out.

Before I go here's a photo of Felix. I promised 18 months ago not to let this site turn in to a glorifed family album, but have realised I hardly post family info or photos at all now. Well, here he is pretending to be daddy:

Isn't he a big boy! You don't realise how much your children have grown until the next sibling arrives...