Sam's Official Birth Announcement

(American version)

(Dutch version)

Strong Genes in the van Herksen Family

(photo of JJ's sister Anniek as a newborn)

JJ's middle sister - Anniek - sent me these photos this week. I think now we know who Sam looks like. Okay, he looks a little like JJ, but Anniek as a baby and Sam have MANY similarities.

This is JJ's baby picture:

Who Does Sam Look Like?

You can't help but ask when you see a new baby, "Who does he/she look like?" Really, it is kind of silly because they change so much and they might look like mom on day one but then six months later be the spitting image of their father.

But nonetheless it is fun to compare and we have been doing the same thing. So let the comparisons begin.

I haven't had any luck finding many baby photos of JJ and I. I have no idea where I have put those two albums, but I will find them...it is just a matter of time. What I did manage to find is this photo that was taken of me at the hospital the day I was born (June 3, 1975). I am still trying to figure out why I have a blue blanket...hello, didn't they know I was a girl!

Well, what do you think? Any similarities with Sam...

Sam @ One Week

Dear Sam,

Today you are a week old. I can't believe it. I swear it was just yesterday that they put you in my arms for the first time. Seriously, where has the time gone? These last seven days have been a whirlwind and it has been full of new experiences for all of us.

You are our little miracle baby and I never thought I would take care of such a tiny human being. Your father and I thought we had this parenting thing down, but it is a whole different ballgame with a newborn. We have so many questions and doubts, but along with every question or worry there is a moment of pure joy.

Your father and I are asking questions all the time to make sure we are taking good care of you. Your dad especially is great and looks up any questions I have. The two of us have been with you all week...well I sort of have to right, or you don't eat but your dad took time off work to get to know you and take care of you. I think you really like your dad since your favorite place to nap is on his chest. I think you even like it better than mine (unless you are hungry).

Let's see in just one week we have....bathed you...watched you make all sorts of different faces...heard you cry, burp, sneeze and fart...you also peed on me twice already while I was changing your diaper. And just today you lost your umbilical cord!

After just one week your big brother is totally in love with you. He doesn't miss an opportunity to give you a kiss or show you off. I think that the both of you are going to get along great.

I also have to mention what a great baby you are. You hardly ever cry and you actually like to sleep at night....please, let's keep that up.

Well, you are about to wake up...I think it is time for some milk!

Love,

Mami

PS To see all of our photos from Sam's first week click here.

Home Sweet Home

The four of us were very happy to finally be home. Here we are after a long car trip (Sam's First Road Trip) from Nelspruit, South Africa to Maputo. It took about 3.5 hours to get home and we couldn't get there fast enough. I think that besides me, Luka was the happiest to finally be home! The only bad part is that we won't be here for long :(

Thank you to Paty and Laura for the surprise homecoming with the signs and flowers. The sign says "It's a Boy" or something close to that in Dutch. I need to verify with my hubby....

Our First Family Portrait

Yesterday I was blown away when Luka showed me the drawing he had made of the family. No one asked him to draw it and he didn't have any help with the drawing. The only thing that he got help on was labeling the faces. I couldn't believe how much better he can draw now and how he was able to scale the faces with Sam being the smallest. I was so proud that I had to share it with everyone!!!! Since we brought Sam home I think Luka is growing up on "overdrive." Please slow down Lukie!

Here is a close-up of the drawing:

Happy Feet

Here are Sam's feet on day five...I still don't know if he has mine or JJ's feet, but I am leaning towards JJ. But one thing is for sure...he has big feet and that he gets from both of us.

Sam's First Bath

Sam had a bath at the hospital on the second day, but JJ and I were there and it was a very traumatic experience. Today we gave Sam his first official bath at "home." He cried at first but then when Daddy started swaying him in the water he really enjoyed it!

The Boys are Sleeping...

I got up from bed and realized that all my boys were taking a nap and I couldn't resist snapping a photo of each of them. Sam's favorite spot to nap is on Daddy's chest and then I walked into the other room and found Luka resting peacefully with "Lucy." Isn't this photo delicious?

He has been practicing how to be a big brother with Lucy the entire pregnancy and now he likes to imitate me with Sam. For example when I change Sam's diaper he changes Lucy's diaper, etc.

Day Three with Sam

It has been three days since Sam made his entrance into the world and the whole family can't get enough of him. Here he is taking one of his many naps.

I think here he is getting a little tired of the camera in his face..."Please mommy, do you always have to take a photo?"

Yesterday we got to take Sam Sam “home” or to our temporary home in Nelspruit. He was ready to go...I wasn't so sure about me. But off we were. We had to wait for the doctor to give me the okay and after a long list of medications for the pain and “recovery” we were getting Sam ready for the ride home.

He wore a special outfit that my mom bought us before we knew the sex and it goes great with his special yellow blanket that used to be mine when I was baby (my grandmother made it for me). After we put on his special outfit we wheeled him out of the hospital….in Nelspruit they don’t wheel out the mom, just the baby. I had to take a breather while JJ fetched the car. And finally in a few minutes he was in his new car seat.

Off we went to introduce Sam to his big brother. When we drove up to the house Luka was so freaking happy. He practically jumped on the car to see Sam. He can't stop giving him kisses and for some reason he is obsessed with seeing his hands and feet and making his little brother clap. He also wants him to talk right away.

Luka is totally in love with Sam. All he wants to do is kiss him every time he is close to him.

It's Time...

The day started off pretty normal with no indication that our baby would arrive soon. We went to breakfast with my girlfriends – Paty & Laura – that had stopped for a visit from Maputo (the day before we had spend the entire day shopping).

After breakfast the four of us (JJ, Luka, Clotilde and I) went to the mall again (can you tell there is not much for us to do here). JJ and I went “house” shopping and Luka enjoyed the playground with Clotilde.

3:30 pm - After the mall it was time for our appointment with the doctor to see how the baby was progressing at 39 weeks. The doctor seemed a little concerned. He said the baby had not dropped at all and he didn’t feel he/she was going to…maybe the head was too big and my pelvis wasn’t helping the situation. His biggest concern was that the baseline hearbeat was a little lower than he would have liked to see. He explained that maybe that placenta was no longer functioning optimally and it was time to discuss how to deliver this baby.

OMG…it was time and I don’t think JJ and I were ready! He asked us to return to the hospital that evening where they would start a slow induction to try and get things moving along. So off we were to get our bag and things ready for the baby’s arrival. Tomorrow at some point we would be holding our new baby in our arms.

5:00 pm - We went to the grocery store to make sure Luka and Clotilde had food and supplies for the next couple days.

5:30 pm - We went “home” to talk to Luka and let him know what would be happening. I think he sort of understood what was going on. Here are our last photos as a threesome….by this time tomorrow we will be a foursome.

6:15 pm - We arrived at Stephano’s where we had our “last meal” before the baby’s arrival. I was told to have pasta to store my engery, but the truth is that I was so nervous and my belly was so big that I really couldn’t fit much in my stomach.

7:15 pm - We arrive at Nelspruit Medi-Clinic and walk to the Labor Ward to have our baby. I never pictured that it would happen like this. What happened to the drama of my water breaking in the middle of the mall or having to wake up JJ at 3 am saying “It’s time honey!” Oh, well…the truth is that you never know how your birth will go. You can have all these plans and then most likely it won’t turn out how you planned. So I had to settle for:

Melissa: “Yes, hello my name is Melissa van Herksen and I am here to have my baby.”

Receptionist: “Are you in labor?”

Melissa: No

Receptionist: Okay, please have a seat until I am done with this patient.

As I am sitting there another woman arrives huffing and puffing. I have to tell you, I was a little bit

jealous.

8:30 pm - Here we are in the labor ward waiting for them to give me the gel to induce. They say it

could take hours…like 12 hours for anything to happen. Lets hope it doesn’t take that long. By the

way…was there a full moon or something because the labor ward is PACKED. There is no room

the pregnant woman are everywhere and you can hear them.

9:30 pm - The gel has arrived. Let the labor begin….more on the actual delivery in another post.

Here I am strapped to the monitor so they could check the baby’s heartbeat before the “games”

begin. You can also see the LAST photo of my belly (39 weeks and 1 day).

The Golden Arches

(He really liked it...don't pay attention to his face...that is the same face he puts anytime he bites into his food)

Today we spent the morning at home…JJ catching up on this studies and I was hanging out with Luka. Then we headed to McDonald’s for lunch. For most of you reading this it might not seem like a big deal, but I love going to McDonald’s every time we come to Nelspruit. It is such a treat and I don’t feel that guilty because it is usually once about every 6 weeks and it just recently opened so it hasn’t even been that long.

Luka also shares my enthusiasm for those golden arches and I don’t really know why, except for the fact that he knows how much I like it. He goes crazy yelling, “Look McDonalds’s!!! Look, look.” Until today he wouldn’t dare try the food, but today he had his first 3 bites of a Happy Meal Cheeseburger. I was such proud mommy. Before some of you go crazy thinking how could she be proud of Luka sucking down all that trans fat. Well, my son doesn’t like to chew or eat regular food…so this was a BIG step. Since we arrived to Nelspruit he also eats peanut butter or ham/cheese sandwiches. This is HUGE! But the hamburger was a big accomplishment.

After our delicious lunch as McDonald’s (I also had a Happy Meal) it was time for our visit with the doctor at 38 weeks. The good news is that the baby is doing great and seems to be really comfortable in my belly.

There are no signs yet that he/she wants to meet us in person yet. The doctor did tell us that he/she already weighs 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs) and has a fairly big head (OUCH FOR ME!!!). Can you imagine if he/she decides to stay in there 3 more weeks….it could be a HUMUNGOUS baby. But lets focus on the good news….We are both healthy and everything is fine.

JJ and I will get cracking on some “exercises” to help move this labor along…I am talking about walking of course! ha ha ha….why, what did you think I meant?

Waiting at 38 Weeks

Here we are in Nelspruit, South Africa “waiting” for Baby van Herksen to arrive. Under the recommendation of the doctor we decided to come to South Africa two weeks before our official due. So here we are..Luka, JJ, Clotilde and I. We had to bring Clotilde so that Luka would have someone to hang out with once we went into labor. I keep saying “we” because I realized today after our first and probably only prenatal class that if I really want to do this “naturally” JJ is going to have to be there every step of the way.

The class was great. We took at the class at Bella Rose Birthing Center right outside of Nelspruit. Belinda was great! She sat with us for almost 3 hours and went through everything that would happen with the labor, how I would feel, the breastfeeding, etc…she gave us lots of pointers and we learned some things that we didn’t know. I mean all these books we have can only take us so far. It is different when you sit with someone that has witnessed 100s of births.

We will be having the baby at the hospital. My doctor wasn’t into going to the birthing center and after 3 years of being with him and after all he did for us to get us preggers JJ and I felt like we would be “cheating” on him if we opted for the birthing center and I really love my doctor. He is the best!

Those of you that are reading this and have been to Nelspruit might be saying….what the heck are they going to do there for 3-4 weeks? Well so far, we have been to 2 malls and the grocery store. But today I made a list of fun things to do around town…visiting the Elephant Sanctuary, Botanical Gardens, Petting Zoo, Monkeyland. Those are just a few. I really have to keep Luka busy, even though all I want to do is hang out at “home” on my computer, read baby books or watch tv/movies. But that wouldn’t be fair to him.

Tomorrow is our check-up at the doctor so we will have more news on the baby!

Here is a photo of my belly today (38 weeks)…it still hasn’t dropped and I think I have a couple of weeks to go….YIKES.

Luka Eats Cake & More Photos

Yesterday was a day full of activities. We spent the afternoon at Laura's House at a big send-off party for a bunch of us. Luka had a great time and even enjoyed some flan. For those of you that know Luka's eating habits....that was a BIG deal. But the excitement didn't end there. In the late afternoon we went to our friend's house to celebrate Tendai's Birthday and here Luka ate his first cupcake. Can you believe it!!! This boy finally had a cupcake at 3 years old.

Here are some photos of Luka having fun at Laura's House and the party. Here he is with his friend Andrea:

Here is Luka with Peter, Max & Celeste. He has a major crush on Celeste, but she is like 8 years old (she is kneeling in this photo). Everyday he tells me he wants to marry her:

Luka and JJ enjoying some outdoor time with Laura's dog:

Here are our friends Kebba, Ellie & Tendai. Happy Birthday Tendai!

Here you can see Luka as he sneaked around the corner with his new friend Mariana to enjoy a private dance. You should have seen them. One moment they are dancing in front of everyone then the next thing I know they are holding hands and walking around the corner to enjoy some alone time. Has he gotten over Celeste so easily??? ha ha. This boy loves his dancing!

Here I am at 38 weeks...

This was taken yesterday at my friend Laura's House. We spent the afternoon there with some friends for a party. Thank you Lauri for such a great afternoon. I will post more photos later of Luka and all his friends. He really had a blast.

My Birth Story

So, yesterday I was considered "full-term" that means the baby could pop out at any time. I am hoping that he/she waits at least until Monday. That is the day we are moving the family to South Africa to await the arrival of Baby van Herksen.

Well, these last couple of days I have been wondering what kind of birth I am going to have and freaking out about the PAIN and the hours of labor I will have to endure. What else am I supposed to think about, right?

Some people say that you should look to your mom to see what type of births she had and this will give you a basic idea of how yours will go. I don't believe that...but I did ask my mom about the births of my sister and I. I knew they were very different, but I really didn't know the details of mine. Okay, my mom was 22 when she had me...and who knew she had so many errands to run on the day I was born. These are her words that she emailed to me recently:

Melissa Isabel Vigues

born June 3, 1975 at 10:16 pm

"With you my dear daughter I started having pains at 6:00 am. I got dressed and ready to go to the hospital, but Papi had to run some errands before we got to the hospital. First we stopped to drop off a flyer at a print shop that Papi had worked on the night before (remember your father did freelance back then on the side). {Funny I do the same work now}. Then we went to my father's house to let him know we were on our way to the hospital. {Guess no cell phones back then}. Then we went to St. Michael's Church because I wanted to get communion and Father Paz gave it to us at the rectory. {Same parish/school I went to school my entire childhood}. Finally we got to the hospital at about 10:30 am and I was having contractions every 3 minutes, but I would not dilate more than 3 centimeters and I was in labor until 10:16 pm when you were born! Very LONG and PAINFUL labor!"

Monica Maria Vigues

born on September 21, 1978 at 9:05 pm

"Now with Monica I had my first pain at 8:00 pm, while I was in the condo. Your sister was born at 9:11 pm at Cedar's of Lebanon Hospital...by the way we arrived at the hospital at 9:05 pm. The pain was strong, but it didn't last long at all."

I am really hoping my labor is more along the lines of my sister's birth....a girl can wish!

37 Weeks...The Countdown Begins

(scan at 36 weeks...look at that face...not sure what those huge things are in front, maybe fingers...but so cute, right?)

Tomorrow I will be officially 37 weeks....only 21 days from the official due date of May 18th. But really this baby could come at any time. How freaking crazy is that? I can hardly believe that the time is already here. Although it hasn't been an easy pregnancy, it has flown by. I still remember the day in Pretoria when we did the IVF and seriously had no expectations that it would finally work.

But here we are...huge belly...every pregnancy symptom you can imagine. Yes, can you believe they keep coming! Last week I started with nosebleeds and well let's just skip the other one...too nasty...but some ladies reading this will know what I am talking about...if you don't, well...LUCKY you. But you know what...Yes, I complain about all the changes, migraines and nausea but I am so freaking lucky that I can actually go through all this.

I never really thought that I would actually give birth to a son/daughter...ever. I still catch myself in disbelief when I glance at my shadow or see my belly in the mirror. JJ and I were so lucky to be parents already, but to go through this experience has been amazing (I know JJ is reading this saying...what a liar...she complains so much...it is true...I do...what do you expect I am 37 weeks pregnant, but I know how great it is at the same time).

Being pregnant believe or not has made me appreciate what we have with Luka even more. I think of the time he must have been growing in his other mommy's belly and what she felt while she was carrying him and I realize that she gave him the greatest gift of all...LIFE! Not only did she give birth to him, but she made a conscious decision to try and give him a better life. Sometimes things in life happen for a reason and I really believe that if Luka had not been part of our lives this baby would not have been either. He has been our lucky charm during this entire process.

Since the beginning he has known what is going on and been there to ask how mommy is doing and kissing my belly at every turn. I can't wait for our family to be complete and for this baby brother or sister to meet his/her amazing big brother Luka.

More Dancing with Luka...

A couple of weeks ago Luka celebrated his 3rd Birthday with a Spider Creepy Crawly Party. You can see all the photos by clicking here. But the real party started when everyone left. Who knew that Luka wanted to skip the spiders and go straight to salsa dancing. In the video above he is dancing with Kaira (Clotilde's daughter). Clotilde is his nanny and he LOVES Kaira. She is a year older than Luka, but he doesn't seem to mind.

We just put some Buena Vista Social Club and Celia Cruz and there was no stopping these kids. Luka still needs to learn a little bit about dancing with a partner...as you can see from the video he likes to be dipped. I need to tell him that he has to be the one to dip, but for now it is very entertaining to watch.

And just so you know Luka likes to watch this video at least 5 times per day and dance all around the house. I can't even have iPhoto open or else he goes ballistic so that I will play these videos of him and Kaira dancing.

And if you didn't get enough from the first video, here is another one:

What do you think? Do you think he gets these moves from the Cuban or Dutch side of the family? Or maybe he just gets it from his Mozambican blood....

Our Belly Dancer

I am currently 36 weeks and the baby is always moving around and Luka wants in on the action too. He walks around flashing his belly telling everyone to "look the baby is moving." I guess he heard me say it and he doesn't want to feel left out. It is very cute.

This photo is from a birthday party last week where he wanted to show everyone how "his" baby was moving. He actually moves his stomach up and down...very similar to a belly dancing move. Not sure where he learned that one...not from me that's for sure!

Happy Birthday My Love

I wanted to wish my best friend a Happy Birthday! Today the love of my life turned 33 years old. Congratulations sweetie! I hope you are ready for the roller coaster ride you will have this 33rd year of your life. We have so many things to look forward to...first up will be welcoming Baby van Herksen to our family. I can't wait to meet him or her and see you hold our baby for the first time. Then we are off to Bolivia! There is no one in the world I would want to be on this adventure we call life with.

Little did I know the road our relationship would take when I answered that "wink" on match.com but I really think I am the luckiest girl in the world. (Although my recent mood swings would convey a different message to you...but you know I love you right!)

I hope that all your wishes come true (especially the one I told you to wish for as you blew out your birthday candles...that will be a secret to all your blog readers!)

I LOVE YOU FOREVER!

PS Don't you love the vintage polaroid looking photo. We have this new app for our iPhone - Hipstamatic iPhone App. It is so much fun! Here are some other ones we took at one of JJ's Birthday celebrations:

Dreaming of a nursery....

(photos courtesy of ohdeedoh)

I am almost 35 weeks and I really wish I could use this time to prepare the room for Baby van Herksen, but the reality is that we will be jumping around from house to house from the time the baby isn't even a month old. We will be packing up our house in Maputo at the beginning of June (my due date is May 18th). We will be living in an apartment hotel in Maputo until the end of July. Then we will visit Holland for two weeks, followed by Miami for two weeks.

From there we will finally head to La Paz (August 21), where we will stay in an apartment hotel for about 3 weeks (I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is only that long). Hopefully our container won't delay and it will get there in time.

This is not ideal for a new baby. I am actually more worried on the toll that this will take on Luka. He has many changes coming up. But it is our reality and we need to take it one day at a time.

Well, back to the reason for my post. Here are some photos that have inspired me for the new baby's nursery. What do you think? I am in love with the combination of pale yellow and a light light tiffany blue. Luka's room is also that same blue but the other color is red. I can't seem to get away from that blue color (it was also one of our wedding colors with chocolate brown). I am a little obsessed with it. But doesn't the combination with yellow make it so refreshing.

(photos courtesy of ohdeedoh)

I love this bookcase of toys. We actually have the bookcase and many of those toys. I really wish I had that Eames Rocker....maybe one day.

(photo courtesy of armelle...the blog)

Luka's Latest Photo Session

Is my son cute or what? Isn't he a ham? Okay, I need to stop, but these photos make me so happy. You should have seen him dancing around in the studio for Solange from Magma Photography in Maputo. She has been taking photos of Luka once a year and this was our session to celebrate his third birthday. If you are in Maputo and want to take some family photos she is great!

Click here to see the rest of the photos.

Our "Kitchen Sink" Tradition

My parents love to take care of their grandchildren...but for some reason they don't like to bathe them in the bathroom. Here is Evan - the newest addition to the family - taking a bath in the kitchen sink.

And here is Luka when he smaller and actually fit in the kitchen sink...I need to find one of Maxwell. I know the photo exists because all three of the boys love to take a bath next to the dishes!