Thursday, July 24, 2008

Our Nine Month Journey

My wife Zani gave birth to a beautiful baby girl called Amelie. The 9 & 1/2 month journey was one of the greatest experiences of our marriage and relationship. I have documented the pregnancy with photographs and decided to post them after the birth. Thank you to all who contributed something and for your love. Zani and I really appreciate it. So, here is the story of our nine month journey (Zani, Amelie and myself).


1. Here Amelie was only 7 weeks old, about the size of once little grain of rice. Our gynecologist, Dr. Marie Pienaar, was such a great doctor and we felt comfortable around her. From the begining, I decided to be involved in the pregnancy and to go with Zani every time to the gynecologist appointments.


2. Here is Amelie at I think 14 weeks. You can see the skull with the two eye sockets and the rest of the body, chest and ribcage.



3. On 22 weeks we went for a detail scan to check if everything is O.K. with Amelie. Amelie was yawning a lot and so the person doing the scan (very funny person) typed "Aaaggghh!" on the screen.

4. Zani on our couch. She was 27 week pregnant by this time.

5. Christine Meintjies, a photography friend of mine, did a couple/pregnancy shoot in Stellenbosch with me and Zani. We had so much fun on this shoot running in streets and sitting along the sidewalks. It is funny what went thought people's minds as the walk along and see us perform on the street.
6. The Christine Meintjies Shoot: Me holding Zani with graffiti in the background.
7. The Christine Meintjies Shoot: Me and Zani sitting against a iron shop gate on the sidewalk. I love kissing her nose.
8. The Christine Meintjies Shoot: Zani in the street from the top with her tummy.
9. The Christine Meintjies Shoot: Zani's tummy



10. Here is the 4D scan on 30 weeks. Amelie's nose looks like just like Zani's nose.
11. The Babyshower: There was 3 baby shower!!!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who gave something for the baby and for Zani. Special thank to Jeanfre, my mother, mother-in-grace, both families and all those involved in arranging these 3 special days for Zani.
12. The Babyshower: Zani opening presents...(Oh goodie!)

13. The Babyshower: There was little cupcakes spelling out different words (Amelie, welcome, baby, love and cute).
14. Now here is a interesting story about these flowers. I bought them for Zani on 37 weeks to cheer her up and to keep her focused during the last few weeks. The last few weeks is usually the hardest and these flowers really helped Zani keep up her faith. The funny thing is that these flowers are still blooming and had not died yet after more than 2 weeks (they are still going after the birth of Amelie). It's a sign/miracle from God, for most flowers die with in 7 days.
15. We decided to wash some of the baby clothes and then put them on the washing line to dry. This was very cute and I just had to take a picture.
16. The Last Day: Zani's tummy.
17. The Last Day: Zani in the baby room posing.
The Last Day: Zani having her last cup of coffee before we go to bed and go to the hospital the next morning.

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