SWAN Hill District Health had every reason to celebrate on Tuesday, following the arrival of baby Jax.
While he is already one in a million in the eyes of his parents, Kayla and Kris Bates, their newborn son was born on Tuesday, 22/02/2022 – a day dubbed ‘Twosday’.
There has been much talk about the extraordinary date which is both a palindrome and an ambigram, meaning it reads the same forwards, backwards and upside down.
While the unique birthdate will be a talking point for years to come, Ms Bates said her son’s arrival was quite unexpected, adding she had only just commenced her maternity leave.
“He was actually two weeks early on the dot,” she said.
“He was due on March 8.”
Ms Bates said when she arrived at the hospital on Monday, she was unaware of the ‘Twosday’ fanfare but it didn’t take long for the excitement to build within the maternity ward.
“At first I didn’t even realise the significance of the date,” Ms Bates said.
“Then everyone kept telling me I had to have it the following day.”
Ms Bates said when things actually started to progress on the Tuesday, bets were laid that she would have her baby at 2.22pm.
“He was actually born at 4pm on the dot,” she said.
Ms Bates said Jax was the youngest of three children, noting his two sisters, Ally, 5 and Indi, 3 were smitten with the family’s newest arrival.
“They are both very happy and super excited,” Ms Bates said, noting COVID meant they first met their little brother through Facetime.
Ms Bates said she was looking forward to sharing her little bundle of joy with her extended family once she left hospital.
“He’s a pretty chilled and relaxed baby,” she said.
“It’s all going well so far.”
Ms Bates said she wanted to thank everyone at Swan Hill District Health for their support.
“Can I please thank Dr Ellis, and everyone at SHDH midwifery, with a special mention to Beth for her spinning baby exercises and being an amazing support throughout the entire delivery,” Ms Bates said.
“Also a big thank-you to Tammy McIntosh for waving her magic and turning Jax from a transit position.
“We can’t thank everyone enough who helped bring our beautiful baby boy safely into the world.”
