Once again, Amanda was awoken by Emilia’s wailing. It was incredible how such a tiny being was capable of such a loud noises. Amanda groggily looked at the clock, sighing when she saw it was only afternoon. She knew there would be another long, sleepless night ahead of her. Just as she was about to sit up, she heard Emilia’s crying cease. She smiled, knowing just what that meant. She called out to Niels just to make sure that it was indeed him. Once she knew their infant was in safe hands, she soon drifted back off to sleep. A couple of hours later, Amanda awoke again, practically sleepwalking into Emilia’s nursery. She peered into the crib only to discover that it was empty. For a quick moment, her heart skipped a beat. Where was her baby? “Niels?” she called out again. She listened… Silence… Panicking slightly, she hurried as fast as her exhausted body could take her, rushing into the living room. There, the knot around her heart instantaneously loosened. It had only been two days since they brought Emilia home. She’d looked so minuscule in her car seat, and she’d been sleeping so heavily then. But after nursing her every few hours, and constantly waking to tend to her, she was beginning to wonder if she’d ever recuperate. Yet now, a bright smile spread across her face. She grinned and headed back to the bedroom to get her phone. She needed to capture this precious moment. It was a great reminder of the support she had in this time. Emilia was lucky to have such an amazing daddy. Comments #1. I dozed, forgive me my love... But our little girl is safe with me, promise!
Niels van Loon #2. *smiles* No forgiveness needed. And I trust you. Amanda van Loon #3. *smiles* I'm glad you do my love! I wouldn't have let her fall, you know that, right? Niels van Loon #4. *smiles and nods* I know, baby. Amanda van Loon #5. *smiles widely* Oof! I love our little girl Niels van Loon #6. Hmm *smiles sweetly* So do I. Wanna put her in her crib? Amanda van Loon #7. *Smiles* Yeah, let's do that... Do you want to hold her? Niels van Loon #8. *smiles and nods, approaching him* Amanda van Loon #9. *SMiles and carefully lifts his daughter* Niels van Loon #10. *admires him as he gently cradles her* Amanda van Loon #11. *SMiles and gets up, walking towards her* Here's our little girl love Niels van Loon #12. *takes the baby into her arms, kissing here forehead* she smells soooo good... *beams* Amanda van Loon #13. *Looks at them* Still had that new baby smell huh *winks* Niels van Loon #14. *smiles widely and nods* I love it.. Amanda van Loon #15. *Smiles* Make that two, my love! Niels van Loon
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It was impossible! For the fourth time, Amanda sat up, still unable to catch any sleep. Niels rolled over in bed again, glancing at her with concern written all over his face. “Can’t sleep,” Amanda mumbled, her hands sliding over her rotund belly. Her back was aching constantly by now, far outshining the faint presence of cramping in her stomach. Frowning, she rubbed her lower back before she felt Niels’ hands join her own.
“Don’t,” she protested, not wanting to be touched at the moment. She pouted, certainly a bit testy as she felt she hadn’t slept for days. She apologised and finally managed to get out of bed, waddling towards the bathroom. Almost immediately, a foreign pain seemed to tear through her back and stomach, taking her breath away. With a gasp, she held on to the sink, doubling over. This was different than those false alarms she’d had. Then she felt it, a warm sensation… travelling down her legs. She looked down only to see a pool of… water? “Oh my Kobe,” she whispered, the realisation of her situation settling in. “NIELS!!!” It had been a long, emotional day. Friends and family had stopped by to visit when she was more open to visitors, and as her contractions intensified, her mother and father-in-law had continued checking on her every once in a while. Niels rarely left the room, afraid to take his eyes away from her even for a moment. After 12 hours in travail, Amanda was at her wit’s end. She was wondering why she hadn’t accepted the offer for an epidural. What was she thinking? She squeezed Niels’ hand with all her might, wishing to somehow channel her pain, but it was no use. She was restless suddenly; absolutely incapable of staying in that bed any longer. She wanted to walk--now! It wasn’t too long before she was doubled over in pain and being rushing to labour and delivery. It seemed the brief walk did indeed spur on the labour process. With Niels by her side, she bore down, again and again, nearly delirious with pain. There was no giving up at this point, she just had to literally push through it. At last, a strong cry pierced the silence, and soon after, a wailing infant was laid on her chest. Tears of joy trailed down her face a the instant relief from pain and the beautiful, tiny human being--living and breathing--in her arms. At last she was here. Their baby girl! It is an honour to present Emilia Paris van Loon. Welcome to this world little Emi. Comments #1. Congratulations on a job well done. She's absolutely gorgeous. And a beautiful name too, Emilia. Lots of love for your little family!
Chanelle Verhoef #2. Thank you so much Chanelle! We're really appreciate the love :D Amanda van Loon #3. Congrats Amanda!! Wow... can't believe you are a mother :) Vivien Li #4. I know! I can't believe it either! ^^ Thanks, Vivi :) Amanda van Loon #5. Congratulation, she is incredibly cute! Blair van Riesen #6. Thank you, aunt Blair! Amanda van Loon With a deep sigh, Amanda finally relaxed. Mobility was becoming harder and harder with each passing day. Crossing her legs on her yoga mat, she caressed the large mound of her stomach. It was incredible how rapidly the tiny being within her seemed to grow now. Her little girl's movements, relentlessly constant, forbade Amanda from finding much rest. Less time to rest and more time to constantly review the checklist of newborn essentials in her mind. With her due date quickly approaching, the anxiety grew stronger and stronger, yet so did her excitement. It wouldn’t be too long before she could hold her little girl in her arms. If only that could magically occur without the prerequisite of labour. Despite the exhaustion dawning on her after the exercise session she'd just completed, Amanda soon realised that she had to get up. As usual, nature was calling… urgently. She uncrossed her legs and pushed herself up onto her knees, soon realising with alarm that she couldn’t get up. She briefly recalled a conversation she’d had with a friend regarding this very situation. She’d laughed then, but now… As soon as Niels' name left her lips, he came running. As usual, he expected to find his wife complaining of contractions. They’d had a couple of those pesky false alarms already. However, with one look at Amanda, Niels knew that the true problem was. She looked at him apologetically as he came to her rescue. “Don’t worry. Soon I’ll be able to get up on my own,” she teased. Soon… Comments #1. It was okay my love, you know I don't mind helping you, no matter what situation
Niels van Loon #2. You're the sweetest man ever, you know that? Thank you for everything! Amanda van Loon #3. I'm glad I can be like that for you! I love you, my beautiful wife Niels van Loon #4. I love you too, my incredible hubby. Amanda van Loon Having returned to their penthouse in New York, Amanda missed their villa in Paris, but it was certainly good to be home again. Despite the bothersome ache in her back, the waddle in her step, and the breathlessness that occurred without much effort, she couldn’t keep still for long. Her nesting instincts had been triggered. Every room had to endure an extreme cleaning. Even the rooms that were never used. With only one week left, Amanda could feel the apprehension of childbirth slowly sneaking up on her. She had to keep herself active to abstain from thinking of the pain labour would bring. The mere thought made her shudder. She’d consulted a newborn essentials list online to keep her mind off the thought of labour pains. Newborns required so much: lots of extra clothes, blankets, diapers… Amanda and Niels had yet to have everything ready, but at least one thing had been completed. A smile touched Amanda’s lips as she gazed at her surroundings. At last, the nursery was complete. She slid her arm around Niels’ waist, leaning against him, hardly able to believe that their baby girl’s room was prepared. It was official; soon they would be three. Comments #1. I love you baby, we've done good on the room <3
Niels van Loon #2. Yeah, we have huh? <3 Amanda van Loon #3. Yeah-uh <3 Niels van Loon #4. ^^ Amanda van Loon #5. Wow guys, this looks really beautiful! Chanelle Verhoef #6. Thank you, Chanelle! :D Amanda van Loon #7. Thanks indeed ^^ Niels van Loon Amanda clutched her cell phone to her ear, her eyes widened from the news she'd just received. Several thoughts ran through her mind: how were her siblings holding up? Did they know yet? Soon, all her questions were answered, but a heavy feeling remained in her heart. As she disconnected the call, she responded to Niels' questioning look. "My parents are divorced."
The timing sucked. She wanted to throw a tantrum. Her she was, having her first child--giving them their very first grandchild--and now they were separated. It took her back to the discussion she'd had with Niels, considering potential kobeparents. The didn't have any close friends who they trusted with this responsibility. In fact, they didn't have any close friends at all. Once again, tears prickled in her eyes. What was wrong with them? What was it that made it impossible to have friends? It was unfair that they had no one who would get excited with them about new milestones in their life. Who would celebrate the birth of their baby with them Who cared about exciting news as much as they did... It was as if they were in a world of their own. Just the two (soon to be 3) of them. With a sigh, she cuddled up against Niels, trying not to cry as she was so quick to do lately. Darned hormones... She wiped her eyes and tried to think on the bright side. She had her siblings... and a few friends. She was also going to be an aunt... She had family, it was just a matter of connecting the dots. Oh the things that you find on YouTube when you're having a bit of a sickly day in bed. Seriously though, those pants are the best invention ever. I'm glad I can still wear cute clothes ^^
A bright smile spread across Amanda's face when the ultrasound technician announced the gender of their baby. Even Niels was beaming. They would have both been happy with either gender, but Niels had always predicted that they would have a girl first. Still... this was so surreal. They were having a baby girl! It made the reality of this child even larger than life. She gave his hand a squeeze, baby names already running through her mind, pink bows and dresses... They'd never spoken of names before. She had no idea what was his taste in names, but she was certainly excited to plan this with him. Tomorrow was Christmas, and they were planning to visit both of their families in Antalya. Amanda laughed softly. She knew the perfect Christmas card to get for her mum. Comments #1. Such a cute card :D
Niels van Loon #2. *smiles widely* Think she'll like it? Amanda van Loon #3. *smiles even wider* I4m sure she will! Niels van Loon #4. *hugs him* I'm so excited to tell her! Amanda van Loon #5. *hugs* We can, tomorrow!! Niels van Loon |
Amanda at a GlanceNames: Amanda Pontremoli, Amanda van Loon Archives
August 2017
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