December 2008

We had a braai for our last home group meeting for the year. Our home group leaders has two children, Lisa and Travis. During the summer in Pretoria there are a lot of thunderstorms. Lisa is on this pic, putting her hands over her ears. She saw the camera's flash and thought it was lightning, so she put her hands over her ears so she won't hear the thunder! Very clever!
Here are some of our friends from home group. We played Secret Santa...we brought each other Christmas gifts and then stole it from one another! Ha ha ha...ho ho ho.

Our friends and home group leaders Stash and Kay.

October 2008 - our miracle

Vivika is a joy to us! She has her moments when she really can turn up the volume, but other times she is so cute, all you can do is sit and watch her. These pics were taken around 6-8 weeks.
What part of princess don't you understand?

Hello Little Johnny! Vivika's neck and back is getting stronger and it is amazing to think how they grow and develope.

October 2008 - more pics

Here is Madri's dad with his first grandchild.

Grandma Langeveld was giving her grandchild a bath.

Aunt Tarina stays in the same complex as us and comes to look after Vivika sometimes. We are of course thankful for her! She is a real life saver.

We went to Cape Town for a holiday in November this year and got to see Rianza (Madri's sister) and her boyfriend, Wiehahn again. We had such fun. Here we are in a coffee shop with good company and good food.

October 2008 - Hospital and home

Our first family photo.
This is how Vivika fitted into Madri's tummy. Andre was holding her and she curled up like this by herself. So adorable...
When you swaddle her like this she looks like a little gift.
A quick photo while the eyes are open.

October 2008 - in hospital

Proud daddy standing by while the pediatrician does the Apgar test.
She was such a cute little babes, only weighing 3.05kg! So sweet!
Father and daughter! The scrubs suits Andre...maybe he should become a doctor? Ha ha.
Now mommy finally knows what the little baby looks like. Eventhough you know this can not be anybody else's baby, you keep thinking...is this my child?

September 2008

Madri's sister got baptized in September this year. It was a glorious occasion and we were happy to have been there. Here are some pics of our friends in the home group from our church. Our home group comes together once a week to fellowship and socialize. We have great fun. Andre and the home group leader, Stash, baptized Tarina.

Here is Tarina with Conrad (our good friend), the photographer.

Back from left: Leigh and Debbie
Front from left Gerda and Madri
After the baptism we just had fun and had dinner together. This was very close to Vivika's due date and we were holding thumbs that nothing would happen that evening. Of course we didn't know, but Vivika was in no hurry to see the light!

August2008

So getting ready for the baby took quite a bit of organising! Our place is very small and doesn't have a lot of space for all the furniture and other stuff we need to fit in Vivika's room. So here Madri is trying to find space for all the things.

The theme for the nursery is actually Heffalump from Winnie the Pooh, but there are more pictures of Winnie the Pooh than Heffalump in the room. Ha ha. We are renting a place and could not paint the nursery, so we bought stickers that can peel off again. And they do so without any help!

Here is the chair Madri spends most of her time in nowadays.

July2008

Madri's stork tea was a complete surprise! It was a day full of fun and laughter. The cake was made by one of our friends, Gerda. Madri was fortunate that her parents were here in Pretoria on holiday and was able to be there. The theme was 'a touch of pink'.

Vivika is a lucky girl. There were loads of gifts. She got the cutest shoes and clothes!

April 2008

Andre graduated (again) in April this year. He did his Honors degree in Missiology, which he passed cum laude! Well done Andre!

March2008

So Andre and some friends decided to go on a cycling tour in March. They cycled from Pretoria to Nelspruit (about 400km), in a week's time. Madri drove the car with the trailor for the bicycles carrying all the food...yummy.
Andre and Steward are congratulating each other on completing the ascent of a mountain pass. It was really tough and far to cycle.

We also took the chance to go to God's Window, close to Graskop. Apparently you can see Mosambique from here on a clear day. It was amazing how far you can see and how beautiful it is. Madri was about 11 weeks pregnant here.

Feb2008

Madri quit her job at Pro Arte Alphen Park in January this year and worked her last day on the 29th of February. No more high schools, if she has to teach it will be in a primary school! Here are some of the pics of children in her classes. She taught Mathematical Literacy for 17 year olds.

Here are here wonderful colleagues: Back left to right - Francois, Suzette, Zelda and Ilse; Front - Hanlie, Melissa and Lizl.

Vivika

So this is what a mini Madri and Andre together looks like.
Vivika was born on the 3rd of October and weighed in at 3.05Kgs.
At 40 weeks and 2 days Vivika had not yet moved into the correct position for a normal delivery and after much discussion with the Gynaecologist we decided to have a Caesarian Section. It was an incredible experience and Madri had a spinal anaesthetic so she was able to remain awake through the entire operation and even hold Vivika minutes after birth.
We are overwhelmed by people's kindness and everyone's willingness to help. We didn't need to cook for two entire weeks after Vivika's birth since our home-group (from church) took it upon themselves to cook for us every evening. Thank you guys!!!!! It helped a great deal.
We are learning a vast amount in a very little amount of time about the whole parenthood thing, but are coping well. Vivika is a good sleeper, but a noisy awaker. She sure does like to scream. I am very glad, because i will be able to find her in any crowd. (KAKAAA)