She's here!

When we heard the telephone this morning about 6:30, we knew it was news from Dorette. I expected to hear that she was on her way to hospital - only to hear that her baby had been born already! We did not hear the telephone in the night! (We lock all doors and the telephone in the bedroom does not work. Good thing we were not the ones to go and look after Franco.)
Of course I couldn't wait to see my new granddaughter, but first I had to pack my laptop etc. for Easter Drama practice in Salvokop this afternoon. Although yesterday was Dorette's due date, I convinced myself that the baby would only arrive after her next doctor's appointment, so I was not really ready when the big moment arrived!

Here I am with the precious little bundle, just after her first bath... which she did not like at all.

And here is Janita Elsa L. Just 5 hours old! She is named after Oupa Jan (gift of God - same meaning as Dorette) and Ouma Elna (Grace of God.) She arrived in the early hours of the morning.

Look how wide awake I am! I weigh 3.3 kg and am 50 cm tall.

Dorette had a 100% natural birth: no drips, no painkillers, no suction or tongs - not even a doctor. The nursing sister couldn't get hold of the doctor (mixup about whom to phone - Dorette's gynae was enjoying the long weekend)and so she had to deliver the baby herself. She was not as handy as the doctor when it came to stitching , but did a good enough job and according to Dorette the birth was more relaxed than before.

Hello Mamma!

Janita nursed well soon after birth, but seemed a bit nauseaus and only nursed properly again about 12 hours later. She was often awake during the day, but did not cry once. So far no problems with wind or colic or hunger or anything.

She slept soundly for hours. Ouma couldn't resist opening the covers to see the cute little tiny body in her cute pink clothes.

The world is a wonderful place... (Note her blanky - its the one I knitted on our Russian tour - so its from Russia with love.)

Wellcome in the world, Janita!

Ons het so lank vir jou gewag en gebid en nou is jy hier!

PRYS DIE HERE VIR SO 'N GAWE UIT SY HAND!
Dankie, dankie, dankie Here!!

Introducing our grandchildren

Gert and Dorette (our 2nd daughter) have a little baby boy, born on 23 April 2008: Franco Jean Labuschagne. He is named after his grandfathers: Frans Johannes Labuschagne and Jan Andries Nicolaas Breytenbach. (The co in Franco comes from Nicolaas). They wanted to retain Gert's father's (and his brother') initials F.J., but chose a name that would not be confused with all the other Frans' in the family and also one that is more internationally recognized.

Frans and Thelwyn (our elder daughter) have a little baby girl, born 30 July 2008: Martelize Hanri Hammann. She is named after her grandmother Marie Elise (me) and her paternal grandmother Johanna Maria and deceased grandfather Heinrich.

The names were kept secret until the babies were born. We knew that Thelwyn was expecting a girl, but Gert and Dorette had chosen not to know the sex of their baby. In both cases there was this wonderful moment of surprise and we would not have had it any other way. We love the names the children have chosen.

Both babies weighed 3 kg at birth. Franco was 50 cm tall and Martelize 51 cm. According to Miekie's baby book, she weighed 6lb 12 (3. 07 Kg) and was 20" (50.5 cm) tall. So in size the babies were pretty much the same as me!

Thelwyn was born 5 days late and Martelize was also born 5 days late! Franco was born 4 days early. Franco was born exactly a month after his greatgrandmother Ethelwyn de Vos had passed away and Martelize came exactly 3 months and a week after Franco.

We adore both babies and so greatful that both families live close enough so that we can see them at least once a week! We are indeed priviledged. For Christmas Thelwyn gave us a book: "Die beste Ouma en Oupa ooit" (The best Grandma and Grandpa ever) and that is what we hope we will be (are).