The above photo was taken on February 5, 2005, during our oldest son's first birthday party in Oklahoma. Tomorrow he'll celebrate his 2nd birthday at Disney World. Time flies much too quickly!

Right about now two years ago, they had just broken my water after beginning induction with Pitocin twelve hours earlier at 5:30 a.m. My epidural would soon follow, only little did we know that our oldest son had already duct taped and stapled himself inside to enjoy almost a dozen additional hours in his own personal hot tub. He was born via Caesarian at 5:02 a.m. on 02.03.04, almost 24 hours after it had all began.

This day was a blur of contractions, cervix checks and 'round the clock Janet Jackson nipplegate coverage on television. But at the end of it all I was handed this tiny blue bundle — and I had honestly never seen anything that looked so perfect, felt so soft to the touch, or smelled so incredibly good. And that's all that mattered, then and since...

In addition to the few photos that I've already added to Flickr today, please enjoy a few birth-day videos. Seems just like yesterday!

1. Waiting for baby
2. The big arrival
3. Meeting mommy for the first time
4. Snuggling with daddy
5. Finally going home...

BONUS ROUND: Time for the baby to meet our dog Claire (and if this doesn't make you sigh heavily, you're dead inside)!

* Elmo and my son share the same birthday. For proof, see the bottom of this page at Sesame Workshop. He also shares a birthday with blogdom's most recognized toddler.