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As our Moon Baby enters her third month on Planet
Earth, she adds a vocal dimension to her presence. In response, her
family fan club develops a small tool kit of tricks to keep Luna happy
... and quiet. Opa Tano shows the "pinky finger trick" (left)
and Tante Astrid teaches Esther-Mirjam the "tummy carry trick"
(right). Opa Ben takes Luna for a walk in her Baby Björn (bottom
left). Oma Alie (bottom middle) and Oma Naatje (bottom right) cuddle
with Luna. Meanwhile, Luna is thinking that a girl has to express herself
and make her voice heard loud and clear! |
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During her second visit to the Youth
Health Bureau, Luna receives her first vaccinations. They hurt Esther-Mirjam
almost as much as they do Luna! That morning, Luna is unaware of the
sharp pain that awaits her (left). That afternoon, Esther-Mirjam follows
the health official's advise to let Luna lie on her tummy twice a day
to strengthen her neck muscles (middle). Luna decides she would much
rather work on her relaxation skills instead (right). |
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Luna also has the young men wrapped around her tiny
finger. Pictured are the youngest "victims," Sam Wennekes
(left) and his brother Victor (right). It sure looks like there is love
at first sight between Victor and Luna, eh?! |
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For lack of the ability to express herself
in words, Luna uses her hands to tell many stories. She is thinking
up a story (left) and telling her mom to get lost (middle). Luna also
plays peek-a-boo with her hands (right). |
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* Please rest assured that Luna
has more clothes than the cute yellow outfit in which she is pictured
above and gets clean clothes every day. It just so happened that Esther-Mirjam
experienced an "I love Luna" attack and wanted to share on
the days Luna was dressed in this outfit. Or could the fact that Luna
is our Moon Baby have something to do with the yellow? 
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When work deadlines are starting to loom, Esther-Mirjam
calls in the help of Luna's amazing grandparents. Before trusting Luna
to their care, Esther-Mirjam subjects them to rigorous Grandpa and Grandma
training, which they all pass with flying colors. Opa Tano and Oma Naatje
now care for Luna on Tuesdays and Opa Ben and Oma Alie babysit on Thursdays.
How lucky Esther-Mirjam and Luna are! |
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There seems to be a distinct "theme"
to Luna's footwear (left and right), thanks to the generous presents
of Sylvia, Amy, Sandra, Yvonne, Rudy, and Saniye. If you know Luna's
mom, you will understand why! Of course, Luna is a unique human being
with her own tastes, hence the color of the footwear Luna received from
Koen & Alison, Teresa, Tante Daphne, Oma Alie & Opa Ben, and
Arthur & Diana (middle). |
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| Luna and Esther-Mirjam spend their first night away from their new home to celebrate the birthday of Oma Alie, who considers the visit a lovely present. Esther-Mirjam also receives a present, which is a full night's sleep! This is because Oma Alie, Opa Ben, Tante Daniëlle, and Ome Geert are delighted to do the honors during one night. The play pen is ready for Luna's visit (left). Luna wears another darling dress for the occasion (middle). Ome Geert, Tante Daniëlle, and the dog Tjubka love to cuddle with little Luna, and each other (right)! | ||
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Luna is delighted to meet her Oma-Mama Spann (left)
and Oma-Mama Mulder (middle). These special ladies are Esther-Mirjam's
grandmothers. Oma-Mama Spann is no less than 98 years and Oma-Mama Mulder
is a strong lady at 86 years. |
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Luna's sucking reflexes are more than her healthy
apetite can handle. As a result, she has discovered the joy of putting
her thumb in her mouth (left). Tante Daniëlle obliges with her
pinky finger (middle). And Esther-Mirjam has finally overcome her strong
resistance to pacifiers (right). |
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As she celebrates her thirtysomethingth
birthday, Esther-Mirjam carries the best present close to her heart!
What a year it has been for Luna's mom: a new job, a new country, a
new city, a new house, and, best of all, a new addition to her "family."
In short, she has experienced a very special turn in her life. She is
so grateful that little Luna is enabling her to experience unconditional
love, the special bond between a mother and her child, and the joy of
having a tiny human being around. Esther-Mirjam feels completely fulfilled
and at peace. Luna makes it all the more enjoyable by being such a sweet
baby. Or might her mom be a little biased?! |
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Hip, Hip, Hurray! Three months old!
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