Luna spends a few days in an incubator so she can gain strength without expending much energy. What a beautiful head of hair she has (left). She is practicing the plier in first position in anticipation of a possible career as a ballerina (middle). A big bear keeps little Luna company (right).

It is amazing how much Luna's face changes from day to day. No matter what she looks like, her mom loves her deeply.

Yes, she has ten tiny toes.

Luna sure looks comfy in her incubator.

Yes, she has ten small fingers.

When Luna has gained enough weight to move to a bed, the Dutch flag is raised.

Luna falls asleep when she is supposed to be burping.

Mom loves to cuddle with her small treasure.

Luna's eyes usually open wide after a nice, comfy bath. If only her eyes would stay open for long enough for her to finish her bottle by herself, she would be allowed to go home. Meanwhile, mom is spending almost every waking hour in the hospital, but does not mind doing so one bit!

Luna's last day in the hospital, where the staff wishes her Happy Holidays and she gets to enjoy one more morning with the sun shining on her hospital bed.

And then the long-awaited day arrives: Luna gets to go home on Saturday, December 25. Her mom could not have wished for a better Christmas present! The full moon is shining bright this weekend.

Luna sleeps through the trip from the hospital to her home in her comfy car seat.

Looks like there is one Christmas child too many, eh?

Mom handles her charge with extreme caution. Such a tremendous responsibility!

While Esther-Mirjam is so very happy to have Luna home with her, it takes the two of them a little time to get used to the new routine. And it takes Luna a little time to get used to her new bed! She much prefers sleeping on her mom's chest.

Nothing relaxes Luna more than a warm bath. She is so tiny that she fits horizontally in the tummy tub!

Tante Daniëlle,

Oma Alie,

and Opa Ben with Luna.

Sadly for Esther-Mirjam, Luna had not yet developed the proper breast feeding reflexes by the time of her premature arrival. Fortunately for Luna's grandparents and Tante Daniëlle, Luna is fed breast milk with a bottle.

Oma Naatje (left) and Opa Tano (right) with Luna.

Luna has mastered the day time and night time schedule. That is, she sleeps during the day and is awake at night!

Luna and Esther-Mirjam leave their temporary home in the Sperwerstraat (left) and arrive in their permanent home in the Van Beethovenstraat (right) on 7 January 2005. Esther-Mirjam had intended to have her new home ready by the time of Luna's scheduled arrival on 17 January 2005, but Luna just could not wait that long! Fortunately for the two of them, they can rely on the amazing help of Luna's grandparents and Tante Daphne during the move. They cannot thank these helpers enough for their generous support.

Hip, Hip, Hurray! One month old!

Luna's play pen is decorated because our moon girl is one month old! She should have been -4 days old, but everybody is delighted to have her around already. Luna eats well, sleeps comfortably, and is a very relaxed baby with a very happy mom and loving grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Though Luna now weighs roughly 50% more than she did at birth, she still looks very tiny in her play pen.