Homecoming

Papa set up a table at the hospital filled with champagne and goodies for my guest.

It is tradition in Belgium to give out "Doop suikers" when a baby is born. Each of my guests received one of these little bags.

My big brother Kobe, Opa Wifi, and Oma were my very first guests.

Oma is mama's mama...

... and Opa Pol is mama's papa.

Here I am with my godmother, Karen. She's a really active godmother who comes to visit me in Leuven sometimes. My godfather lives in Canada and I can't wait to meet him at mama and papa's wedding.

I had lots and lots of guests visit me at the hospital !

It was a busy time, and I needed plenty of rest.

Papa and Kobe came to visit every day. Kobe was very sweet to me and never forgets to give me a kiss when he comes. He also likes to pet my head and say "gently, gently".

Mama and I were doing very well so the doctor let us leave for home a day early.

After a few days, my face became less swollen and I started to look myself.

Papa is slowly remembering his infant care skills.

Kobe still gives me a kiss everyday. He also likes to hold me in his high-chair. Whenever he wants to hold me he pats the seat or his lap and demands "Lola stool !"

Mama certainly has her hands full with the both of us !

My birthday

Today was my birthday, and I wanted to share with you a few images of how I came into this world.

Here is my happy family a few hours after I was born... my big brother Kobe, mama, and papa.

I was a very big baby and mom says I was causing her what the pregnancy literature refers to as "discomfort". Was that your rib-cage mom ? Sorry about that... The doctor decided to make mama more comfortable and induced the labour one week early. After a relaxing day at the sauna with papa, my doctor gave mama some pills and she spent the night in the hospital at Oostende.

The next morning, my doctor broke mama's water and she went into labour shortly afterwards. This is what my mama looks like in labour. Mama says she is actually experiencing quite some discomfort at this point, but papa and I don't notice...

Things got more intense after mama got in the bath. Mama and papa asked to get an epidural...

... but it was too late. I was born before any of the doctors could arrive.

This nurse handled most of the delivery. Mama and papa say I was delivered into the world by a bunch of college kids, but I thought they were pretty good !

Since I was a week early, I was still pretty slimy !

But mama was relieved it was all over and I was healthy.

Here I am shortly after I was born... some of the slime has dried off and you can start to see my swollen baby face.

Here I am giving the nurse who weighed me my dirtiest look. Pretty mean, eh ?

Even a week before my due date, I was already 4.3 kilograms !

Getting my first diaper change...

... and my first outfit.

I am 52 centimeter long...

...and my head measures 36 centimeters.

They didn't take my shoe size.

Proud mama.

Proud papa.

Proud big brother.

Nesting

Hello, here I am in mommy's tummy at Christmas time. My name is Lauren and I'm a girl. That's a secret and nobody else besides my mommy and daddy know... except for Grandma, because daddy accidentally told her. 

This is my big brother, Kobe. He's taking his nesting duties seriously. I can feel mommy chasing after him all the time and he sounds like quite a funny character. I can't wait to meet him !

My cousin Finn (left) with Kobe (right). Finn is the youngest in the family... but not for much longer !