September 2003
Duvan Christoph, born at 6:48am on Thursday, September 25th 2003. He measured in at 8lb 15oz, 21.5 inches.
This was the most amazing day of our lives. We stand utterly humbled, silenced by the incredible events that started to unfold 2:00am this morning. A joyous 3.5 hrs later we met the child that's filled our thoughts and hearts in the last 9 months. The testimony of this labor and delivery is a story worth told a thousand times over, giving glory to God who so thoroughly and carefully answered every single prayer we had regarding this day. Yet not only fulfilling our requests, but blessing us abundantly above and beyond all that we could think or imagine. We will surely tell you this tale, for God showed to us in simple terms today that He is the loving Father, intimately involved in the very details of our lives.
Here's Duvan 4 minutes after birth, bonding with Mommy:
He's the most adorable thing we've ever beheld.
Today was extremely hectic, and we had very little time alone of gazing at and studying our young child, figuring out who's genes won out where. A couple of things that we've noticed though: He's got his father's long legs, and seems to have a really long torso as well :). He inherited his mother's noticeably long fingernail-beds. His skin seems to be fair like his father's, while his eyes appears to hint signs of his mother's deep and absorbing pools of brown. He's mild-mannered, and never fussed except when the nurses pricked his ankle for blood to check his sugar-levels. He seems to possess his father's inability to wake up from sleep, and his mother's devoted love for it. Then again, he's had a pretty rough morning... He has an amazing grip, and will hold on to a finger with white-knuckled determination that causes your heart to melt like margarine in a searing hot pan.
Duvan hanging out on Daddy's Lap:
All three of us:
Oh, let me quickly introduce this site as well. It's Duvan's weblog, where you'll find weekly updates on what's happening in Duvan's life. Notice the "Post a comment" link below this (and all future) entries. It allows you to leave a note telling us you were here, or comment on what we had to say, etc.
We'd love to hear from you! (Afrikaans is okay!)
Comments
Hi ouens,
BAIE BAIE GELUK !! Ek hou nie eens van kinders nie en ek is bly vir julle part.
Baie seën en sterkte. Gelukkig weet ons die kleinding is in goeie hande.
Geniet dit!
Posted by: Abri | September 26, 2003 01:55 AM
Hi Julle
Dit maak 'n OOM nogal trots. Liefde en seen vir julle .
Van Oom Cobus Boshoff
Posted by: Cobus | September 26, 2003 02:01 AM
Hallo julle! BAAIE GELUK! Mag hy net vreugde bring!
Willie en Thana
Posted by: Willie | September 26, 2003 02:13 AM
Het julle gedink ons sal iets anders as Afrikaans skryf. Duvan moet van vroegs af weet waar sy wortels lê!
Die pragtige prentjie en die geluk van die oomblik het ons dag oombliklik verlig.
Die "warmte" en "liefde" wat daaruit straal het fisies van Amerika af oor die oseane tot by ons skerm gekom om 'n traan uit die oog te laat rol en 'n glimlag in ons harte te plaas!
Soveel mooi, soveel vreugde en soveel geluk!
Derick en Alida
Posted by: Alida | September 26, 2003 02:42 AM
Duvan! Wat 'n mooi naam ;) Jan, voor jy getrou het, het ek vir jou gesê: "Trou gerus, om te trou is heerlik. Wag net met die kinders. Kinders verander mens se lewens". Onthou jy? Nou is dit tyd om te begin uitvind waarvan ek praat! Geniet hom. En glo my, elke enkele dag wat verby gaan, word net nog lekkerder.
Posted by: Johan Langenhoven | September 26, 2003 04:37 AM
HI Guys
Congratulations to you both. This is truely life's most exciting and emotional experience that touches you on so many levels. Enjoy your little angel.
Love Zelda and Paul
Posted by: Zelda | September 26, 2003 05:59 AM
Congratulations guys! Duvan looks great, and so do you both! May God bless you as parents. Don't worry, you will be able to sleep - just not in the first week! Love, Pete & Maria
Posted by: Pete & Maria | September 26, 2003 08:01 AM
We are so happy for you guys!!!!!!!!! What a BIG baby. I almost passed out when I heard the size! His name is beautiful (especially the middle name). Please let us know if we can do anything for you. We stand ready to serve! We are just totally stoked and look forward to meeting Duvan when you are up for visits!
We love you guys!!!
Chris & Dana
Posted by: Chris and Dana Rue | September 26, 2003 08:38 AM
Dear Jan & Maresa,
We were all thrilled to hear the news of your new baby! It also was wonderful to see how God had answered your prayers in every step of the way. He is a great God! We pray abundant blessings to you all! Duvan is so handsome! We look forward to meeting him very soon. Love you guys! God bless you.
Vickie & Gary, Christie, Joey, Allison, and Katy!
Posted by: Vickie & Gary Keith | September 26, 2003 08:48 AM
Hi julle twee!!
BAIE, baie geluk!! Wat 'n wonderlike geskenk
van die Here!
Posted by: Ronel | September 26, 2003 09:19 AM
Oh, this is so beautiful, you made me cry!! You guys look awesome together. The mommy doesn't even look tired after the work of the night, did it go so easy? I can't wait to hear the story!!!
This is a very HANDSOME baby, maybe the first I have seen that isn't actually all red and wrinkled, only 4 minutes after birth!! What a nice nose! What big eyes! What a good grip! What an inspiring FAMILY you make! I see blessings all over the place here... Keep up the good heart! ;)
he he he
Posted by: Laetitia | September 26, 2003 10:06 AM
Jan en Maresa
Hoe ek nou voel nadat ek die klein mensie se foto's beskou het is onbeskryflik! Hoe anders as God se wonderlike Genade. Mag gister se geluk, die grondslag vir vandag en môre wees. Nogmaals baie geluk en ons sien uit om hom in ons arms vas te hou. Gee hom 'n ekstra drukkie van Ouma Martie en Oupa Japie!
Posted by: Pa & Ma Jacobs | September 26, 2003 01:41 PM
Dear Jan and Maresa,
I am soo happy for you guys. Duvan is adorable and the three of you look beautiful together!!! I hope I will get to meet him soon!
Love you,
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | September 26, 2003 01:42 PM
Hei ou Pappievleis.
Bogger die lang bene. Daai bybie is geseend want hy lyk soos sy ma. Geluk, liefde en God se onmeetbaarheid vir julle kleinman.
Leon & Catherine
P.S. Ek like die tweede naam, want dit rym met Boshoff.
Posted by: Leon & Catherine | September 26, 2003 03:18 PM
What a beautiful family. I am so glad for you. Congratulations!
Maria and Aldo
Posted by: Maria | September 26, 2003 03:37 PM
Dit is soooooo lekker om julle laaitjie se geboorte so met julle te deel, dankie vir die prentjies hy is 'n handsome outjie ne!
Ons is so opgewonde saam met julle, en prys die Here dat alles so goed gegaan het.BAIE GELUK!
Liefde groete uit die UK xxx
Posted by: Schalk & Jana | September 26, 2003 06:19 PM
'n Kosbare wingerd-oes!
Geniet elke oomblik saam met Duvan!
Posted by: Tannie Rina | September 27, 2003 03:44 PM
Jan and Maresa-
We are so happy for you! You make a beautiful family!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your precious son with us today! He is beautiful and has a wonderful personality!!! God has amazing plans for his life! It is already abundantly clear to us that you are and will continue to be fantastic parents!
Nate & Heidi
Posted by: Nate & Heidi | September 27, 2003 09:47 PM
Baie Geluk!! Ek wens die BULLETJIE alles van die beste toe.
Ammi
Posted by: Ammi Postma | September 29, 2003 07:36 AM
Jan and Maresa,
It's so great that you have been keeping all of Duvan's fans updated through this website. It's almost like we already know him! Praise God things are going so well so far. Enjoy every moment of it!
In Christ,
Nicole and Keith
Posted by: Nicole and Keith | September 29, 2003 08:47 AM
Ek dink aan die dag toe julle getroud is; en dis regtig 'n voorreg om te besef dat dit die vrug is van 'n huwelik voor God.
Baie geluk! Mag God julle en Duvan seen met al Sy vreugde en vrede.
Groete uit Nederland!
Andria
Posted by: Andria | September 30, 2003 03:48 AM
Hi daar julle zoole
Erg oor 'b babatjie nê. Ek het eers vandag die fotos gesien. Veels geluk man en laat hom tog baba wees. Moenie hom more alreeds skoolm toe stuur nie. Hoop om julle binnekort te sien.
Gilbert (SA)
Posted by: Gilbert | October 9, 2003 05:22 AM
Die fototjies is tog te poenankies. hahaha!!!
Oom Gilbert
Posted by: Gilbert | October 9, 2003 05:24 AM
OH MY GOD!!! MY NAME IS ALSO DUVAN! I WAS BORN IN THE 70'S.
I'VE NEVER EVER IN MY WHOLE LIFE SEEN ANOTHER DUVAN!
I THINK I'M THE ONLY DUVAN IN ALL OF CANADA!!! I THOUGHT I MUST ALSO BE THE ONLY DUVAN IN NORTH AMERICA AS WELL.
I MUST MEET YOUR SON! HE AND I MAY BE UNIQUE!
I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ACTUALLY SEEING ANOTHER BOY NAMED DUVAN. ESPECIALLY BORN IN 2003!!!
A PART OF ME FEELS RELIEVED. ANOTHER PART OF ME HOWEVER MAY WISH TO BE TE ONLY DUVAN.
SOMEDAY WE MUST MEET
Posted by: D | January 31, 2004 12:31 AM
Duvan is nursing really well, he cannot seem to get enough of Mommy's milk. Mom and Baby seem to understand each other better every time they go at it. The hospital experience is definitely a very interesting one! It's busy 24hrs a day, with very little time for rest or sleep. The nurses are very experienced though and know what they are talking about - which is a good thing, since we don't have a clue!
Duvan first thing in the morning (well, that is, the camera's morning). He's even better looking today than yesterday, which would have been impossible to conceive of yesterday.
Jan & Duvan had some catching up to do, since Jan could not be there during the night. Here Duvan's relating to Jan the night's activities. Jan clearly enjoyed this highly stimulating conversation.
In the afternoon, Duvan had his first hiccups, which meant Jan got to burp him on his shoulder, and consequently had him sleep on his shoulder while Marésa used the opportunity to get some precious sleep in.
He's sooooo cute, look at that boy face!
Stay tuned, tomorrow's the big day when Duvan will come home! We can hardly wait!
Comments
Milestone: GOING HOME!
Praise God for: Duvan is breastfeeding like a pro. His hearing tested out fine, his bloodsugar stabilized last night. His eyes are alert and taking in the world. He's healthy, lovely and perfect. A perfect gift from above.
James 1:17
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
First of all, thank you so much for all the kind wishes and wonderful comments that's filled this page (and our hearts). There's room for more ;).
WOW, we've only been into this 3 days, but it's been amazing! There is so so much to learn, yet at the same time we feel like we can do this - it's nowhere as complicated as we thought it would be (I feel like I should clause everything with "Not yet, at least", but I'll refrain). Duvan cries when something is amiss, and so far we've been able to figure out what it was that was wrong every time. Take 10 minutes ago, he started crying, and I'm (that's Jan) is on monitor duty. So I go to the room, and follow Marésa's instructions on making sure that his arms are nicely tucked into the blankie with which he's swaddled. Tada, happy baby, I come back to the room, and get such a sense of accomplishment I daydream about it for another 10 minutes. Thank God for His hand that is upon us!
There are so many highlights today! While driving to the hospital, Jan reflected on the fact that this is probably the most important thing that he will do for a very long time. But then it occured to him that he will drive them back, which surely is of great importance. However, after this, he will carry him up to the apartment, introduce him to his new home, swaddle him, burp him, make Marésa comfortable, change his diaper, swaddle him, dress him, change his diaper, sooth him to sleep, burp him, change his diaper, take his pictures, etc. etc. At the blink of an eye, menial tasks are catapulted to the highest priority. We do it with a pride and honor that would put the King's musketeers to shame.
Duvan's bloodsugar was perfect throughout the night, so the pediatrician allowed us to go home. (Duvan's body was producing insulin for breaking down sugars he got from his Mommy until Thursday morning, when all that insulin started breaking down his own as well - so it takes a while before his body recognizes that it needs to lower the supply somewhat).
Anyhow, to business, the stuff that you're really here for. He's such a tall baby, we had a pretty hard time getting him to fit in the carseat! We had to re-adjust the seat to the second highest position so his head would fit :). Here Dad's trying to figure out where all the buckles should go.
The hat that we made him wear was a little snug, so it put a cute little frown on his forehead. :) There, all strapped in. Surprisingly, uncomfortable as it may look, he fell asleep as soon as we had him strapped in, and slept soundly until we took him out of the seat at home - a good 45 minutes later!
Now, look at the grace of God eminating from this woman. She is as graceful as ever, two days after giving birth to Duvan. That is the Lord's provision.
Dad's very excited he gets to keep this little one.
There's that hat-frown!
011.jpg)
We were surprised at home with a welcome poster from dear friends, Eric & Lis
While Marésa snuck in a nap, Jan had Duvan on his lap and stared at him for... o, for a long time.
You're probably thinking "Are they going to keep up posting so many pictures!?" Maybe.
He's so tiny in his crib, he looks a little lost. He slept like a rock for the whole afternoon!
Comments
Dear Jan & Maresa,
We praise God for His faithfulness to you and many answered prayers for the quick, safe delivery of Duvan to complete your family. Duvan is a precious child and the peace of God is seen all over him! May you be blessed with a quick time of adjustment to Duvan's time schedule. Enjoy him now as he will grow up all too quick. Love & peace to you all.
Posted by: Sue & Chuck Miller | September 29, 2003 01:12 PM
Jan and Maresa,
Congratulations and welcome Duvan!!!! What a beautiful son God has given into your care. He looks so happy and peaceful; so content to be a Boshoff. What a beautiful family you make. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us; and the pictures are such an added pleasure. God bless you and lots of love, Carol
Posted by: Carol Deck | September 29, 2003 01:40 PM
Soos in `n oogwink is dit verby: 9 maande van wag en wonder??? En hierdie "wonder" het in `n ander WONDERDERLIKE WONDER oorgegaan:
DUVAN CHRISTOPH!!!!
En nou wil ons net sê:
BAIE GELUK PA JAN EN MA MARéSA MET JULLE PRAGTIGE SEUN!!!
en
ONS VERWELKOM VIR DUVAN IN ONS 2 FAMILIES IN!!
HY IS ALREEDS 9 MAANDE LANK IN ONS HARTE, EN NOU NOG MEER, NOUDAT HY GEïNDENTIFISEER IS GISTER, OP 25 SEPTEMBER 2003.
Ons voel al klaar aan dat hy `n mannetjie gaan wees om mee rekening te hou en ons glo dat hy sy naam definitief gaan gestand doen!!
STERKTE VIR DIE TAAK WAT VOORLê!!!!!!
AL DIE EER AAN DIE HEMELSE SKEPPER!!!!!
MET LIEFDE,
PA EN MA EN OUMA EN MARIUS EN PATRIZIA
Vrydag, 26 September 7vm
Posted by: Oupa & Ouma van Tonder | September 30, 2003 01:54 AM
Dear Jan, Maresa, and Duvan,
Praise God for such a beautiful story of God's faithfulness to your family! Children are such an incredible gift, enjoy this time, it will go way to fast, only to be filled with more wonderful moments as you help Duvan go in the Lord. You are in our prayers. We cannot wait to meet this gift from God!
Love,
Jason & Michelle
Posted by: Michelle & Jason | September 30, 2003 10:51 AM
Praise God for: Our first peaceful night! We're so thankful, that after two rather hectic nights, we had one that was quiet. This has given us bounds of courage, and was proof of concept. Peaceful nights are not impossible! His eating really well, making at least three dishes per day of Indian panir in a curry sauce (with a slightly different aroma, of course).
Woa! We've made it through 3 nights. We feel like the conductors to a giant orchestra, working towards bringing forth a harmonic circadian rythm. If you were in the audience though, you'd hear that each musician is playing his own tune, a arythmic cacophony of wake, sleep, rock, feed, cry. Far from where we'd like to be :). Heidi accurately diagnosed Duvan's condition as a serious bout of jetlag. He definitely has his days and nights mixed up, lying wide-eyed in the middle of the night and sleeping contendly during the day. We're thinking that he's true to his parents' South African roots since he seems to be 6 hours ahead of us.
Night one was bliss for Marésa, who was able to get a total 6 hours of sleep. That's at least 3 times as much as she could muster in the hospital. For Jan however, this was not nearly as much as he had the two nights prior, so it was a long haul for him. Night two proved that night one was a blessing. We were up from midnight 'till 7am, trying all kinds of different things (except for the right things of course). Duvan was wide awake, and we couldn't convince him to go to bed. We'd sing, talk, walk with him for hours, but as soon as we put him down, he'd start crying for mom & dad. In hindsight, we provided way too much stimulation :). Needless to say, we were a little cautious going into last night! Praise God though for experienced friends, who all chipped in with great ideas. We went into the night with a plan, and with tons of prayer. We'd rock and walk him, but did not talk to him, and wouldn't make eye contact, so he would know it's sleepy time. We placed the window fan in his room, and sacrificed a couple of degrees of warmth for an extremely soothing white noise. And then we PRAYED. And he slept and slept and slept. He'd be awake for nursing, and sometimes would require a little soothing before falling asleep, but did not have to get up after putting him in his crib. What a difference it made! Marésa's spirit is lifted for knowing that "Yes, it can be done, it's not impossible". A benchmark has been set! Please share with us any bits of wisdom you may on how to establish a healthy night routine!
We've now realized that Duvan has his mother's cheeklines. Also, his chin reminds Marésa of her 'pop van Tonder's. This look is classic, especially if he is sleepy. He always opens his left eye first, scoping out the world before the other eye follows. :)
The shape of his ears seem to be the same as his daddy's. Right when he was born, in that first splitsecond when we scanned his whole body, and took everything in at the same time, Jan remembers thinking that he has really big ears! They turn out not to be so big at all. :)
Marésa and Duvan hanging out in bed this morning.
We put heads together this morning as to how to approach the day.
Duvan took a nap on dad's lap while he updated the website. These moments are incredible.
Remember to post any wisdom you may have regarding night-time routine. What we're looking for is what worked for you, so we can try it out!
Comments
Liefste Jan & Marésa
Uiteindelik kan ons ook julle pragtige seuntjie sien!!!!! Baie, baie geluk julle. Mag julle God's rykste seën in jul ouerskap ontvang. Ons is so, so bly vir julle - dis ongelooflik.
Beste Duvan
Baie welkom jong. Ons hoop jy geniet jou eerste lewensjaar!!! Daar is baie goeters om te sien, maar pappa en mamma sal jou alles wys. En laat ons nou vir jou 'n geheim vertel - Sê vir mamma sy moet jou groot en sterk maak. Suid-Afrika het rugbyspelers nodig!!!
Beste wense en baie liefde
Cornél en Susan
Posted by: Cornél & Susan | October 1, 2003 06:15 AM
Beste Jan & Marésa
Baie geluk met julle pragtige seun, die Here se seen is werklik op julle. Ons is werklik bly vir julle en glo dat julle nog baie genot sal pit uit sy lewe. Sterkte met die orkes se ritme.
Baie Groete
Theo en Ronél
Posted by: Theo en Ronél | October 3, 2003 09:10 AM
Hi Jan and Maresa
Congratulations on the birth of your SON.May you
all have great times together as a FAMILY.
He is beautiful (but of course you know that).
Love
Frans and Elaine Jacobs
Posted by: Frans and Elaine | October 6, 2003 04:46 AM
