The Year of the Ox

Our little moonbeam will be born during the Chinese Year of the Ox, which begins tomorrow, Jan. 26, 2009! As G. notes in the comments of this post, last year it was Feb. 7, and next year it will start on Valentine's Day! You can read more about the characteristics of those born during this time
here or here You will notice if you read all the way down in the second link that the parent-child relationship between Rats and Oxen receives 4 asterisks, indicating that they are "on the same wavelength" and that the parents are noble while the child is respectable---Derek and I are Rats!! 2009 is the Year of the Earth Ox which seems especially auspicious since (according to the second link):

THE EARTH OX 1949 AND 2009

The most reliable and diligent Oxen belong to this collection of Oxen. The Earth element balances many of their negative characteristics. These Oxen are show good judgement, a good characteristic for successful financial dealings. Other people tend to look up to Earth Oxen because of their reliability, sincerity and their modest ambitions. They are willing to tackle the workload when it become overbearing for others and are loyal and compassionate with family and friends.

Yay!