19 January 2009: Video: Emily can count

Emily doesn't only go to school to play, but even at her age they already teach the kids a number of subjects (obviously in a very simple way). Even though she is only 1 year and 8 months old, she has already learned how to count in English.

See the YouTube video for the evidence .... !

8 March 2009: Sophie has arrived

On 8 March 2009 at 11:30am Sophie was born. Her full name is Sophie Mei Ying. Originally doctor Guna had planned to do the delivery via ceseran at 2pm, but in the middle of the night Jenny woke up because her water broke. To be on the safe side we rushed to the hospital and there they decided that it would be best to deliver the baby in the morning. When Jenny checked-in everything still looked ok, so Henk decided to go home to get some sleep and to dress Emily and drop her off to one of our neighbours. After giving Jenny the anaesthesia, at 11am the operation theathre was available and without any issue Sophie was delivered at 11.30am exactly. After another half an hour, Jenny was able to go back to her room to get some rest and to feed Sophie for the 1st time. Tonight we will find out how long both will have to stay at the hospital to recover. Click on Sophie's photo to see a set of photo's from before and after the delivery.

8 March 2009: Video: Sophie and Emily

Click on the video for a short movie of Emily and Sophie at the hospital

11 March 2009: Sophie at home

Jenny and Sophie were allowed to go home today. This morning the doctor went through the last check-up. Everything was ok, except for Sophie who was a little bit yellow. Because Emily also had jaundice when whe was born, the doctor did a blood check to see if Sophie needed to stay at the hospital for treatment, but that was not necessary. After being dressed by one of the nurses, filling in all the paperwork and paying the bill (RM 10.999 = 2300 Euro) we were allowed to go home.
It looks like Emily has adjusted to her new baby sister, although yesterday at the hospital she was a bit jealeous when Henk took Sophie on his arm. Emily suggested to put her back into the bed and indicated that it was her turn to be carried......

13 March 2009: Check-up at the hospital

15 March 2009: Birth certificate

Just like with Emily, we also have to register Sophie's birth. The hospital provides a number of forms and the record of her birth and together with passports and our Dutch wedding papers we can register the birth at a number of places in KL. After waiting for about half an hour they register the details of the baby in a computer and a nice, laminated Birth Certificate is issued. We need this certificate to apply for a Dutch passport for Sophie. We plan to do that somewhere next week.

Birthcert of Sophie
Click on the picture for a larger one

8 April 2009: Passport

Today we have taken Sophie to the Dutch Embassy to apply for a passport. Because we had to do the same thing for Emily, we are quite familiair with the procedure and knew exactly what to bring. Just like at that time with Emily, taking a good passport sized photo was the most challenging activity. After a few tries when Sophie really did not want to cooperate anymore, we took the best shot and delivered it to the Embassy staff. According to them usually a photo for a baby is not a real issue. They will now translate the Birth Certificate into English, legalise it and subsequently all forms will be sent to The Netherlands to prepare the passport. Usually it's ready in 2 weeks time.

14 April 2009: Check-up

Jenny has been to the hospital with Sophie and Emily. Emily has a bit of rashes on both her feet for a few weeks now, and the doctor has given her some creme to be applied daily from now on. Sophie had her 1-month regular check-up. Everything is ok, she is now 58 centimeters (8 more than when she was born) and she weighs about 5 kg. Nothing special, when she's 2 months old she has to come back for the next appointment and then she will get another series of injections.