Uh oh, is this a smile? Am I really smiling?

Matthijs - 22 days old

Sunday we went out for a walk with Matthijs. One of the first times in his brand new buggy.

Walking with Mum:

Sleeping in the buggy:

Here I am taking a peak at what’s going on:

Another nice weekend with Matthijs passed. We had his first party already last Saturday, which was the first ’showing of Matthijs’ to our friends her in DB. Opened the champagne and of course had some imported Beschuit met Muisjes as well.

Below series is Matthijs sitting on Opa’s lap:

We took some more pictures of Matthijs last night.

“Look - this is my dad”:

“Here I am laying on my changing table, just got a clean nappie on and I’m trying hard to fill it up again”

It’s been three days since the last post, so time for some more pictures!

We’ve been busy with Matthijs over the last few days; he had some skin-yellowing, or jaundice (”geelzucht”) which apparently is very common among newborns, especially in early deliveries.

As the jaundice was a little high in Matthijs case, he was admitted to hospital for photo-treatment. This procedure involves the baby being put into an incubator while blue UV lights light the skin. The excess Bilirubin substances in the blood (that’s the stuff causing the yellowing of the skin) are reduced by this therapy, and so the jaundice is contained.

Matthijs was admitted Monday evening and I just picked him up again this evening (Wednesday). Everything’s fine with him now and we’re keeping a close eye on his skin colour to ensure everything stays fine.

So we had another ‘home coming day’ for Matthijs today and opened the bubbly to celebrate again!

Bringing Matthijs home from the ferry:

So happy to be back with Mummy:

Proud Opa and Oma:

Alright all, here’s a picture of proud daddy and Matthijs.

Today Matthijs and Nadine were discharged from the hospital. And we went together all three to our home in Dbay the afternoon.

It’s good for Matthijs to be home in peaceful Discovery Bay, rather than in the buzzing Queen Mary Hospital. Instead of crying babies and lots of people around, we’re now just together with the three of us in our nice and quiet appartment.

Grandpa and grandma are on their way to Hong Kong as well, and are probably flying over Saint Petersburg when I write this. Tomorrowmorning I’ll pick them up from the airport, so they’re in time for breakfast on a Monday morning.

I still have a few days holiday, so we’ll have a great time!

Goodnight now Matthijs

Marc

Knock it off dad - that flashy thing is blinding

Matthijs is crying loudly here.

Probably because he’s upset he’s been dressed in some kind of girly yellow dress!!

Don’t worry Matthijs - tomorrow after you’re discharged from the hospital you can wear your own kit.

Matthijs and Nadine got through their first night well. Matthijs has a good appetite and drank from mummy’s milk every 3 hours.

Nadine is pretty tired from it all, but she’s in great spirits as Matthijs makes her laugh every time he feeds.

Here he is just waking up - looking just like daddy looks when he wakes up…

MATTHIJS CHARLES DE LANGE

That’s his name!
And we’re very proud to present him to you!

Matthijs was born at 3.49pm HK time (GMT +8) today. He is a healthy boy with a birth weight of 3105 grams.

Boy, did this come as a surprise: Matthijs was calculated to arrive by 26 October, but by arriving today, he’s won 19 days or almost three weeks extra time on this planet.

Matthijs and Nadine are doing fine and are currently resting in the Queen Mary Hospital - where the delivery took place.

Nadine has been a real star in the delivery of Matthijs and has done a terrific job - I’m proud of her!

More news follows soon - meanwhile of course, here are the first pictures.