Baby born with lucky eights

KINGSTON, N.Y., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A Kingston, N.Y., baby has begun its life with what its parents hope will be a continuing lucky streak -- a series of eights in weight and date.

Edward Bernard Sturm IV was born Friday at 8 pounds, 8 ounces at 8:08 a.m., on the eighth day of the eight month of 2008 just as the Summer Olympic games began in China, where the number eight is considered to be lucky. The baby's father Edward, apparently agrees, reported the Kingston (N.Y.) Daily Freeman Saturday.

"Eights have always been lucky all throughout my life," the proud father said during an interview Friday evening. Sturm said he was "was astonished (and) extremely happy," about the baby's weight.

Sturm and several Benedictine Hospital staff members said they planned to buy lottery tickets with eights.