A Harper has landed
One of the biggest coincidences that we could never of imagined happening was that Bridgitte and Michele, who is her older sister, being pregnant at the same time differing only a week! Only a week! I personally think that it was God’s way of finally caving into all the pressure that we have been putting on Him with all our prayers to give both of our families the gift of a new life.
So, in a nutshell, the race was on! Who was going to be the first one to give birth. Bridgitte or Michele? With us being in our 33rd week of our pregnancy and thinking that we’d have the 1 week advantage, we were enjoying the thought that we might beat them to it, but also remembered that her due date was earlier then ours.
But we were beaten by 6-7 weeks by the Harpers. And everything wouldn’t of been complete without Tommy mentioning that they’d beaten us. 
On Friday, the 13th, my gosh, did it really have to be on the 13th, baby Thomas William Harper or TJ for short (Tom Jr) was born via emergency cesarean at around 13:00. Weighing in at only 1.7kg, this little bugger is a fighter and determined to pull through the 7 week pre-maturity period and is doing very well. We are happy to report that both mom and baby are doing well.
It all started on Thursday when Michele was admitted to hospital by her gynae (and a second gynae opinion too) into ICU. Her kidneys were playing up, her blood pressure was through the roof and it was on Friday morning that it was decided that the best route was to get the baby out. 1pm was the time that all was going to be revealed.
She is in ICU and due to be moved to the hospital’s maternity ward soon, but baby will have to stay in for another 4 weeks. It was an extremely frustrating day for Bridgitte as she couldn’t be there. The Harpers live in Jozi, so getting into the car and driving around the corner was not an option at all. But she was happy to speak to her sister this morning and that she is doing well.
We are so happy that little TJ is here. Now his cousin is next and for that, we’ll have to wait another 6 weeks or so.
The sad reality of this is that Bridgitte won’t be able to see little TJ in person until December 2009. We are happy that technology like digital photography and video make it possible to share that emotion, but there is nothing like being able to interact in person. The two cousins, unfortunately, will only see each other in December every year when the families get together for Christmas. I struggled and still struggle with this reality with my nephew, Caden, who is in the UK. Thinking about Caden, he’ll be 1 year old next month. It is just such a pity that the cousins will not be able to grow up together and get to know each other. We just have to hope, that when they see each other, they’ll be the best of friends and use the time they have to get to know each other and have fun!
Congrats to the two of you. Your dream has finally been realised and has come true! We can’t wait to see more of him. A new life, has started.
