Chritmas wishes

crazy mama but big giggles

Naomi's first spoon feed

it's food time!

Yes we can't believe it, Naomi is 4.5 month old and ready for more! She is such a chunky girl and giving mummy big arm muscles and still she seems very ready for more to eat! She has been waking up in the night the last few weeks and after a particularly bad one we decided it is time to introduce the lovely babyrice! Well as the video shows she loves it and hopefully she will go back to sleeping through the night which she has been so good at! It's the start of a new fase really this food thing but anything to keep our little girl happy, full up and sleeping!

Naomi found her feet!

naomi's first birthday party

Naomi and (boy)friend!

Naomi on her feet

Our little girl is growing so fast. She has a pair of strong arms and legs and loves standing tall looking around with those big wise eyes. She is now 4 months and she is getting ready for the next stage which I am sure she'll love...FOOD! Yes she's got all the signs, dribbling, hands in her mouth or anything else thats in her reach (daddy's nose, mama's chin!), waking up in night sometimes (not so good!). After some reassuring advice from family and friends the babyrice is in the cupboard for when the time is right. Can't believe we are getting to the next fase already. Considering her good size and appetite I shouldn't be too surprised!

Naomi in her pretty dedication outfit bought by nana(Chris'mum)

Naomi's dedication

Last sunday we dedicated Naomi to God. It was a very special day for us and we celebrated with Chris' family. Leonore's family was missed on this day, but we know they were thinking of us and more importantly will always be part of Naomi's life, praying for her and looking after her as also our church family will.
It also reminded us of the meaning of Naomi Annelies which is joy, delight and lovely. We think these are very true! We thank God for our beautiful daughter, what a precious gift she is!

Naomi sings along

giggles

singing and giggles

Naomi is changing so much now, every week we look at her face thats filling out more and those big blue eyes that look into the world so wise and curious. She is becoming a little person and we just love how she is developing her vocal cords (well not always maybe!) She is now singing along to her musical toys adn is giggling when her mummy and daddy make crazy faces!
We have just had our first family holiday in the UK in a holiday lodge in York. We had a lovely time visiting York and enjoying the forrest on our doorstep. It even had a hottub! W live in a beautiful country and we hope to enjoy many more local holidays now!
Naomi is being dedicated to God on sunday during our church meeting and we look forward to committing her to God, giving thanks for our amazing gift that Naomi is! Leonore's family will be missed as we celebrate with chris' family only. We will film it so watch this space.

Naomi's smiles and bottom lip!

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our beautiful girl

3 months old!

Well, we have had another trip to Holland and Naomi is already becoming a frequent flyer! She has been adored again by opa and oma and her big dutch family. Her nieces are particularly fond of her and insisted on watching her being bathed however Naomi got more than being watched, as her nieces were keen to get their hands in! Naomi is now no longer the youngest member of the dutch family as Luuk and Caroline (Leo's brother) had their second son just the week before we arrived so thank you Boaz for being there at the right time for us to admire. He is very cute as you can see on the picture.
Naomi is now smiling lots and even giggling, especially when her mummy and daddy are doing crazy things. Its amazing what you do to make your child laugh! She is still gaining weight very well and loving her sleep! We are soon off to our first English holiday near York where the English grandparents can have their share of cuddles when they join us for a few days.

Big girl

Well its been a long time I know. Been a bit frustrated with our new digital camera which is supposted to be so much better but we can't get our video's on at the moment. So Im sorry we can't show you Naomi's current babytalk and smiles.
Naomi is doing so well! As you can see she is now in her own cot and room! She has been sleeping so well that we didn't want to keep her up at night so it was time for her own place bless her! She loves having lots of music and mobile toys around her and we get the biggest happy smiles when she wakes up in the morning! She is discovering the sound of her voice more and more and we just adore her when she babbles back at us. Its amazing how we can have real baby conversations now.
We're off to Holland again soon and we can't wait to show off Naomi's latest achievements!

update

Well. here we are again after a bit of an absence. Sorry for those faithful bloggers! We have had a busy but great time away visiting Chris and Leonore's family. We had a fantastic time and everyone has finally hgad the long awaited cuddles. As you can see from the photo's (beautifully taken by Marcel in NL) Naomi is growing, smiling, talking and playing! We just can't get enough of looking at her in awe at all het fast developments. She's is such a clever girl the way she looks and plays on her mat and we are getting so many smiles now its the most amazing feeling! We will soon put video on of her smiles and talks for you to enjot too!

proud grandparents

Holland here we come!

This thursday we are off to Holland so Naomi can meet all the van der Hoeven family! We will be staying at my parents from the 6th-14th september. We have been so looking forward to this as we have all really missed each other at this time. However the blog has been some comfort in the meantime, some are even checking it daily, what great fans!
We had Edwin and Andrea (Leonore's big sis) staying for a few days and it was so lovely to see them. They loved Naomi of course and if you want to see some great pictures of Naomi see Edwin as he enjoyed using his new toy! Well, another few days and all the uncles and aunties can get to hold, cuddle and kiss Naomi at last and that beats all the pictures and video's!

Naomi is smiling!

Yes we have experienced another 'first time' and its the amazing first smile! How amazing to have our own daughter smile at us, this time not wind but proper I know you smiles! Definately one of the most amazing feelings of motherhood and made me even more in love with our gorgious girl! She is not sharing her smiles too much yet although aunty and uncle Andrea and Edwin have got some whilst staying with us a few days. I have unsuccesfully tried to capture these precious moments on video but as soon as I do I will put it on the blog of course. Instead you have this lovely picture smiling at mama, now thats something to smile about!

Naomi one month old!

Our baby is getting bigger as you can see. She has chubbier cheeks and is gaining weight well! We can't wait for the first smiles and are enjoying her development. Parenthood is going great especially as naomi is such a good girl and loves her food and sleep! She is getting into a routine now and I am getting into being a full time mummy! This week was a bit of a test as chris was away for work for 4 days. We missed daddy a lot but we managed! Its great to spend time with other mums, go to Starbucks and walks with the pram, Yep I can handle it! Who says this is hard work?!

sleeping beauty

We are family!

Well thought I'd give you a bit of an update on our life as a family. I know the pictures and videos give you a good insight into the last amazing 2 weeks! Its the most incredible experience ever and the reality that we have a daughter has not quite sunk in yet, until she reminds us with her very strong lungs!
Naomi is an very content little girl and we are very blessed that she feeds and sleeps so well. I'll try not to boast too much but she sleeps through sometimes but generally feeds 4 hourly so we get to have some decent sleep which is great! She certainly takes after her mummy and daddy who love their food and sleep! being a midwife helps to be a relaxed mum and its getting easier now to deal with her crying moments and getting to know her generally. We are enjoying venturing out together in the car and pram and Naomi is already a regular at Starbucks! She has stayed at Grandad and Nana's and of course loved spending a whole week with Opa and Oma (Leonore's parents) who came over from Holland. We are organising a passport for her so we can take her to meet the rest of the dutch family in september who can't wait to see her! We have just had a lovely weekend with Adriaan, Rebecca and Anna. We can't wait for the cousins to grow up and be best buddies just like their mums!
Talking about mummy or mama as I will be, she's doing very well too. I feel great and am amazed at how quick my body is back to normal, the quick birth helped of course. Daddy is doing very well too and loves his beautiful little girl! He struggles a bit hearing her cry but he's coping well with the dirty nappies! well, thats all for now.

Oma & Opa Meet Naomi...

Naomi close up!

Naomi's First Trip in the Car!

second bath!

Gefeliceteerd Oma

Naomi Ventures Outside

Naomi's First Bath

first shots

here is Naomi!

Baby Blake Arrives!!

God is good! I cant say I have been through a rollercoaster as big as seeing my wonderful wife give birth to our baby daughter, Naomi Annelies Blake.
It started off with leonore waters breaking at 9:30pm on Tuesday 24th July at homegroup of all places! We will never forget that evening and I am sure neither will the homegroup... I am leaving leonore to explain the technical stuff which follows....Well can't believe I have personally delivered a baby! Wow I now have even more respect for women. It went amazingly well and after having the perfect pregnancy I indeed had the perfect delivery despite being very painful of course. Basically as Chris said my waters broke and then everything started to happen. Within 4 hours I was 6-7cm dilated and very soon had urges to push which led to the most painful bit for me. Pushing Naomi out took forever it seems but was only really an average hour. Anyway she delivered in the pool which was great relief for me and all as planned at home! God is good! How amazing and overwhelming to bring my own beautiful baby to the surface who was wide awake taking it her surroundings. She is absolutely gorgious and we haven't taken our eyes of her since!