Some Pics

Grommits and an Adenoidectomy

Sleeping peacefully on my lap just before the operation.


Hello my angel,

I know it's been a while since I've written anything, but that doesn't mean you've stopped getting cuter and cuter by the day! Well, I think for now, let me just tell you about your little operation you went for yesterday.

You had to go for grommits,tiny little pipes in your eardrum to relieve the pressure building up inside. The doctor also said that while you are under anaesthetic, he'll have a look at your adenoids (soft tissue at the back of your nose) and if they're swollen he's going to take them out. Anyway, after a rough start to the morning, because you weren't allowed to eat or drink anything, ouma and I got to the hospital and booked in at around 8h00. There, ouma kept you occupied while I had to sign all the forms and get everything ready for the opp. Thank goodness ouma was there, because you were very interested in everything and I don't think I would've been able to manage your interests with all the admin!

Then you became tired, and ouma tried her best to get you to sleep, but to no avail. Then ouma left, and I tried my best to get you to sleep, but, to no avail. Finally I gave up and went to sit in your cot with you to read a book. Well, 10 minutes didn't even pass when you curled up onto my lap, said dudu baba about 3 times, and fell asleep. I was overwhelmed with love just looking at this tiny little man, who has changed my life so drastically and who I would do absolutely anything for, now lying peacefully on my lap, unaware of the trauma to come. All around us people were complaining about how long it took and bla-bla-bla, and there we were, just savouring every minute of this time together!

So eventually at eleven it was your turn. You were extremely hungry by then, so a very nice lady, whose daughter was supposed to go in before you because she was younger, said we could go in first. How nice was that hey my poopie? So off we went into the operating room. It was one of the hardest moments of my life, when I walked into the theatre with you and you saw all those machines,it was like the flood gates opened! I had to hold you down while they put the anaesthetic mask on you, look into those confused, teary eyes, and try to explain with a look why this was what is best. Thankfully you fell asleep quite quickly and I was chased out to await your recovery. Wow, not an easy moment for either of us my angel. Anyway, I went downstairs to give grampy and granny (who came through for support)a quick update and ran back upstairs to wait for you. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, but was actually only 25 minutes, the doctor called me. He said your ears were very badly infected and we would've had a lot of trouble if we didn't do the opp now. He also took your adenoids out, so maybe now you'll stop snoring so loud, lol!

After lots of tears and a ride in the trolley on mom's lap, you had a bottle and fell asleep again. We were discharged, and you basically slept for the rest of the day, just waking up with a cry now and then, but quickly relaxing once I held you.

Then, as if you knew, you woke up just as dad came home, and thankfully in a much better mood, BUT...with a fever of 39.4. Hmmm, yup, I panicked. After talking to the doctor, hospital and basically anyone who would listen, it was clear that I just had to get your fever down and watch it. So into the bath you went, and for the rest of the night that's what we did...watched a little monkey man, sleeping so peacefully, oblivious to the stresses around him, and making sure your temps went down. At around 9 we got it to 38.5, 23h00 - 38.1, 03h00 - 37.6, and finally 5h00 - 37.1. I must tell you, every time I took your temperature (which was like every 15 minutes), your dad, who I thought was fast asleep, would turn around and ask "How much is it?". And daddy treasures his sleep very much, so you can guess how much he loves you!!! Your granny also just phoned me to say that your temp is now between 36.8 - 37.4. I can live with that. Doc says he thinks it's a viral infection, so we must just watch for any other symptoms, but if the fever is coming down, then all should be ok...touch wood.

So now you are with your granny at home, being watched like a hawk,playing mechanic with grampy and being very cute, very "deurmekaar" and still the light of our lives.

Love you incredibly monkey-man!

Oh, p.s., dr. Burger says he thinks you're getting a brother, but it's still too early to confirm, so we'll have to wait until the 24th!

Organ Donor Foundation Walk

The Organ Donor Foundation is a non-profit charity, which aims to address the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa. Currently there are over 3,500 people awaiting organ and tissue transplants. Tragically fewer than 1,500 will this year receive a transplant due to this critical shortage. Please support organ donation. Let’s ensure that South Africa remains a centre of excellence for organ and tissue transplantation. Transplants save lives.

Peanut Paul II

So I bet you've been wondering what was going on with your brother/sister's photos up there? I mean, why is the head so big? Well my poop, when babies are made, they start out really funny looking and their heads are half the size of their bodies. But can you believe that he/she already looks very human, and is only 5cm big!!! Growing steadily, all looks well for now.

Love you my angel

Happy Birthday Deqlan!

Happy Happy Birthday dearest Deqlan. Hope you have an absolute ball of a time and that your mom and dad spoils you rotten! It's wonderful seeing how much you've grown and developed, and now you are whole 3 years old!!! Congrats big boy, will party with you tomorrow!

God Bless!
Elriza, Wes, Caden and Peanut Paul II

So what's happening to peanut Paul II?

Hello my angel,

So I noticed that I haven't even told you what's happening to your little brother or sister in my belly. Well, basically it's this:

You're getting close to the end of the first trimester. Most of your baby's critical development will be behind you after the next couple of weeks, and the odds of miscarriage will soon drop considerably.

Measuring from the crown of his head to his rump, your 4.1cm baby has all his parts, from tooth buds to toenails. Your baby is busy kicking and stretching; his movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. Fingers and toes have fully separated. Now your baby’s main task during the next six months will be to grow larger and stronger until he can survive on his own outside the womb.

I know that on the photo above it says that peanut is 25mm, but that was 2 weeks ago, just shows you how quickly they grow hey?

It was so cute, the other day daddy showed you to kiss mommy's belly and without hesitation you proceeded to kiss it 3 times. Hope to post some pics of it soon!

Anyway my boobens, hope you feeling better from your cold and that the antibiotics work so that you can go back to school.

Love you plenty!

Through the Generations

When I was little, I looked just like my daddy!


2 Peas in a Pod!


Me and Dad!


Now, which grampy's ears do I have???


Hmmm???


3 Generations, Ouma,Mom and Me: Same table, same little sheep!


Now something of my mom is starting to show...


Maybe the nose?


Maybe the big teeth?


Maybe just the curls?

It is clear that I have a lot of heritage, but all and all,
I'm 100% CADEN MATTHEW PAUL!!!

Happy Birthday Granny!

Happy happy birthday Granny!
We are so glad that you are out of hospital and home safely.
May the years to come be filled with joy and love and may all your wishes come true!
Thank you for spreading so much love and for always being there for us!

Lots of Love
Us3!

Feedback on your first day!

Hello my angel,

Well, your teacher seems to think you are the prettiest thing ever, yay! She said you were a bit overwhelmed when all the kiddies got there, and I don't blame you because you are not use to kids at all. You also had some difficulty falling asleep for your nap, but she rocked you in her arms until you gave in, lol! She is such a nice lady my poopie, and you seem to like her very much. Apparently you cry every time she leaves the room, so she made sure to stay close to you all the time. She even took some photos for us of your first day, how nice is that???

I just have to tell you, this morning after breakfast I brushed your teeth and wiped your face with a big struggle, but as soon as I put you in front of the mirror and combed your hair, your whole attitude changed. I was in stitches, there you were, they size of a garden gnome, making sexy eyes at yourself, admiring your lovely locks in the mirror and giving me this kind of blue steel smile, just like a model posing for a camera. I was on floor!!!

Anyway poop, this morning you were happy to go to school again, so my heart is at ease.

Love you lots!!!

1st Day of School!

Well my angel, before I get to the title of this post, let me first tell you about your doctor's appointment last Thursday. He said that there is a lot of pressure in your ears and that your adenoids are swollen. That means an unfortunate operation for you towards the end of the year my angel, to take the adenoids out and to put gromets in your ears. Don't worry, mom had gromets about 8 times, it's not so bad and I promise to buy you lots of ice-cream after the op!

I am, however, so scared of my feelings when I have to see you in that hospital again, but I suppose that's making a mountain of a moles' heap hey my poopie? Anyway, doc says once your ears are sorted out, we'll see a dramatic change in your sleep patterns and appetite. In the meanwhile, he gave you some appetite stimulants to help you pick up some weight. Hopefully it works! O, and we saw your brother/sister on the tv that same night. We heard the heartbeat and doctor says he/she is 25.5mm long. Can you believe it my angel, that's only the size of an olive! If all goes according to plan, he/she will join us 31 March next year, then you'll have a permanent, live-in friend!

On Sunday dad flew to Durban for work and you've been missing him so. At the gate, at the window, everywhere you ask, daddy.... Luckily he's coming home tonight so you two can play and play!

So, back to the title. Today was your first day at school. I was dreading it a bit, only because I was scared that if you cried, I would not want to leave, and I probably would've stayed there with you the whole day. But no, you didn't care, not even a little bit! At first you were a bit shy, meeting your teacher, but after about one minute, you wriggled to get down, and then proceeded to take all the toys and show them to your teacher, one by one. When I said tata, you threw a mini tantrum, not because I was leaving, but because you thought you had to come with me! So there you have it, I think we found the right place for you, and your teacher seems so incredibly nice. They say they even give you something from the tuck-shop on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, hmmm-hmmm, as you would say!
I am so proud of you my angel. I really think you are going to blossom at this school! I'm just sorry the pictures came out so blurry. You were running along so quickly, it was difficult to catch you with the camera!

On a more serious note, please may I ask for prayers for Wes's mom. She was admitted to hospital this morning with severe asthma. Please pray that the doctors can help her and she gets discharged before her birthday tomorrow! Mom, please get well soon so that you and dad can come down and see mr. Monkey for your birthday present!

Also, very happy birthday to Megan for Saturday, and a happy big 30 to Lisa for yesterday. Hope you guys enjoyed the day and may the year to come bring you much joy and love!

Well, that's all from me for now.
Have a great week!