FAMILY traditions remain strong in the household of Liezl and Nick Dita from Headington.
Their son Max was born on Christmas Day two years ago and this year they welcomed their third child into the world on New Year’s Day.
Mrs Dita, 37, who works in the children’s hospital at the John Radcliffe site, gave birth to their 9lb 2oz baby boy, who hasn’t yet been named, at 3.40am yesterday.
She said: “I don’t know why they come out on special days.
“I am glad it is all over. It was bizarre spending New Year’s Eve in hospital, but it’s a special day to have a baby.”
Their baby was one of nine born at the John Radcliffe by yesterday afternoon.
Liezl Dita and her baby son.
The first welcomed into 2014 was Banbury couple Rumbi Mazhandu and Douglas Manga’s daughter Eden, who was born at 2am, a week earlier than expected.
And it was a chance for Ms Mazhandu, a midwife at Banbury’s Horton General Hospital, to see things from a different perspective.
Eden is the couple’s second child. They also have a daughter, Kayla, six.
Ms Mazhandu, who lives in Brunswick Place, Banbury, said: “I didn’t enjoy New Year’s Eve, but now I have got a gift. It’s the best present ever. It’s a special day and she will always have a party.
“I wasn’t so keen on Christmas, so I’m pleased it’s New Year’s Day.”
On being a midwife, she said: “It’s lovely and it’s nice to be part of someone else’s experience. The care here has been exceptional.”
Also celebrating the birth of her second child was Botley mother Joanna Rodel.
Her daughter, weighing 6lb 7oz, was born three weeks early. It is her and husband Warren’s second child, following the birth of son Ralf, who is two.
She said: “I am feeling happy and my husband and I are both in shock. It’s a really nice New Year present.
Mrs Rodel, 33, an Oxfordshire County Council adminstrator, added: “It’s nice to have both a boy and a girl now.”
It was a first for Littlemore resident Renuka Abimannan, who gave birth to a 7lb 5oz baby girl.
Renuka Abimannan and her baby daughter
She said: “It’s really exciting and every year it will be at the time when there are celebrations all across the world.
“My husband and I haven’t decided on a name yet, but we want to choose a name that has an eternal meaning, as it’s a new beginning.”
By 2pm, five girls and four boys had been born at the John Radcliffe.
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