How did this happen...?

The two kids Mary and I brought into this world, now both became parents this year! I still need to pinch myself every now and then that I am a parent. Even though Hilary and Mark are in their thirties now, have interesting professional careers, found wonderful life partners, did see a bit of the world during the past 20 years and now both look after a little baby. Wow....

Nora and Carly were both cleared by the hospital staff to go home. Nora had her first car ride and in their house Mary and Hilary had organized a few welcome signs, ballons and a diaper "cake".

The first few nights are never easy for a newborn and the parents. But it is all part of the amazing bonding between babies and their parents. Among the first few visitors were niece Fiona, aunt Sue and uncle Ralph.

And in the meantime little Brooks continues to steal our hearts. Most of the time he is a pure delight with his smiles and yapping. Getting him to take his needed naps can be a challenge....

Welcome to baby Nora

Today - October 25 - baby Nora was born in the Hamilton hospital. Carley was a week overdue, so the process was assisted a bit by the medical staff, but it still resulted in a very long process. In the end it was decided to perform a C-section (in Dutch: keizer-snede). Nora was 8.9 pounds at birth (3.4 kg), so a very healthy weight. Sunday morning at 7:17 AM Nora entered the world. Carly and Mark sent these photos: first before the contractions started; then some 15 hours later after the surgery.....

In the meantime, Brooks - blissfully ignorant about the fact that his cousin is born - continues to steal the show here: in the suitcase ready to travel, in the plane with his mother, upon arrival in Ontario, happy during a walk in the stroller, happy on the shoulders of Uncle Mark, and laughing out loud while being tickled in the tummy......

More Brooks photos......

Pictures tell a hundred stories they say. Brooks is such a happy little camper as much as he keeps his parents regularly a bit short of sleep. Below a few of the many pics that come our way....

 

In the meantime, Carly is ready to drop her baby girl. She is "all baby" as Mary says. Within the coming two weeks we expect the delivery to take place. I still can't believe both our own babies will be parents soon. Certainly not used to the idea of being a grandparent myself.....

While we had a very nice Thanksgiving dinner a few days ago (once again hosted by Sue & Ralph), my sister Ger celebrated her 82nd birthday with all her kids and grandchildren in the east of Holland.