From the moment I met Irene, I have been impressed by her free spirit, dedication, and her ability to always make me smile, and I married her so that I will be smiling for the rest of my life. Irene is a strong woman and for the past nine months, she has been a trooper, not giving up a day treating her patients at the clinic and not making any excuses to skip gym. This week, with the birth of our first child, she is now a supermom.
I’m happy to introduce our daughter, Lyra Penelope Ho, born April 8, 2014 in Valdosta, Georgia, and share with you all some of the pictures from our first week as a new family.
Irene, the day before delivery, still full of spirit and energy.Because our baby was transverse, Irene had to get a c-section. Here’s us prepping for the procedure.What a brave woman!The great thing about being in your hometown is that you have lots of people you grew up with around to support you. Here’s me, Irene, and her nurse Lara, who is also Irene’s childhood friend. Lyra was also delivered by the same doctor that delivered Irene 30 years ago, Dr. Moseley.Our first time meeting Lyra. It was a big relief hearing her cry for the first time.Our first photo as a family.Grandma Leah (my mom) and Lyra.Lyra, Day 1. Still puffy.My nephew James peering over to see his new baby cousin.Lyra with Daddy.It’s going to be a sleepless night.Gung-Ho Family selfie!Mommy, Daddy, and Lyra leaving the hospital and finally heading back home to start a new life together.
Congratulations Benji and Irene!!! I pray God blesses you all and give you great wisdom and strength as you begin this new chapter of your lives. I am very happy for you and thank you again for sharing your amazing journey with us.
Thanks man! Since starting med school, I had so much to worry about: worried about not passing my classes, not passing my exams, worried about Irene and my relationship when we were literally separated an ocean apart, and coming from the Caribbean, I was worried about not matching. I’m so glad that things in the end turned out fine. All the best to you!
My name is Benji Ho and I am a family physician and 2013 graduate of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), located on the Dutch side of the beautiful island of St. Maarten. My time at AUC has been quite a worldwide adventure, studying two years of Basic Sciences on the island, then completing my clinical rotations in the US as well as the UK. I completed my family medicine residency at Mercer University School of Medicine / Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia. Today, I am a board-certified family physician practicing outpatient family medicine in Macon, Georgia. I hope you enjoy my site as I share with you my journey. Thanks for visiting Diary of a Caribbean Med Student!
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Congratulations Benji and Irene!!! I pray God blesses you all and give you great wisdom and strength as you begin this new chapter of your lives. I am very happy for you and thank you again for sharing your amazing journey with us.
Thank you Vivian!
Congrats Benji!! Fatherhood is amazing and I’m sure you will enjoy every minute
of this ‘adventure’ of having kids:)
Thanks Fahd! It is a blessing!
Wow, big congrats! Very happy for you and your new family!
Thanks CM!
Wait a go Benji! You and your wife have accomplished so much and came very far.
Thanks man! Since starting med school, I had so much to worry about: worried about not passing my classes, not passing my exams, worried about Irene and my relationship when we were literally separated an ocean apart, and coming from the Caribbean, I was worried about not matching. I’m so glad that things in the end turned out fine. All the best to you!