In the end Thomas's umbilical cord twice around his neck caused no problems and still allowed for a natural birth.  Both of our health has been just fine but his crazy hiccups that he had throughout the whole pregnancy have continued making it quite a lot of fun for feeding times!!  Although Fathers are only allowed in with the wives during the last pushing stage, Toine was there for the birth...scrubs and all. 

We'll we've moved out of Montaña Linda and are now renting a place about 10 minutes away from the hotel.  It's the first time in 7 years that we've not had to wake up to guests and we're loving every minute of it.  Toine has been extremely busy spoiling us both...we're loving that too of course.

Well, officially I'm not supposed to be going outside, as the Costa Rican belief is that each new mother and baby should be quarantined for 40 days, but we've been bad and have snuck out to the river and out and about as this new lifestyle is not as easy as it seems, and not Thomas fault really either.  Between implementing a new financial billing system, visiting guests and cleaning house, the hours seem to fly by that much quicker.

We've been really lucky, Thomas wakes us only once and it is usually early morning around 4-5 am which makes for pretty good sleeping.  He's eating well, sleeping well and in general seems to be completely healthy...we'll have confirmation on Tuesday at his doctor's appointment.

The 2 female dogs are having a bit of a hard time with jealousy, but have been treating Thomas with respect and keep watch in the doorway!

The plan at the moment is to visit mom's and dad's in summer of '06 in Holland.  If all goes well we'll do the same thing as last time and buy a cheap flight from Holland to Canada.  By then the business should be well enough organized that we should be able to stay away for 2-3 months this time, hopefully spending one of those months in Canada.  If Chris can't make it down, then we'll go there of course!!

We'll it's time for everyone else to start making some 2nd cousins for Thomas to play with!!!!!  Thanks to all of you for your emails in the past little bit and my apologies for not writing back. We hope you enjoy the photos and we'll keep in better contact now that we're away from the business.  Please send our love to everyone and please get those addresses to us asap so we can send out the announcements.

If you're interested in having a birth announcement please email us with your address info.

Love to all from
2 very blessed parents, our pride and joy new addition and of course all our fuzzy friends
TTS

When you thought I wasn't looking

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray  cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."