Daughter one (now 18) came into the world "through the window" (caesarian) with her mother out cold. I met her in the hall of the hospital after rushing to see her born (I was too late). A nurse had come to find me, carrying my baby, so our introduction was in the less than sterile atmosphere of the hall. I didn't want to give her back to the nurse for cleaning up. She was and is a very serene, quiet, and thoughtful child. That first moment with her is as immediate now as it was then, unconditional love at first sight.

Daughter two (now 14) was a natural birth which I witnessed, and I held her even before her mother. The surgery theatre had a very large window overlooking a residential area, so this baby saw real light immediately. Right from the beginning she has been more rowdy than her sister. As with the first, I didn't want to give her up to anyone, and the bond was cast, unconditional love at first sight.

Both births were very difficult and complicated for their mother, physically, but luckily no postpartum depression. Neither of us would trade parenthood for anything.

Peace, Mooh.