Returning home with Namwezi and Wamaka

Thanks for all the phone calls, messages of congratulations, flowers, gifts and ululations.

We were really well looked after at St Mike's. All the staff were awesome and we were lucky enough to get a (normally 2 patient) post-partum room to ourselves. I don't know how we would have managed otherwise as our stuff and the twins seemed to take up the whole room.


It's been great to be home though. Namwezi and Wamaka had their first check up at the doctors today and they are doing really well. They are back to their birth weight already and seem to have lost the jaundice that they were monitoring while they were in hospital.


this is Namwezi Ella (above)...

...and Wamaka Mia (above and below).


There has been a little controversy as to whether the girls are identical...

...what do you think?

Love, Dylan and Chil

P.S. Pete found this great link: http://www.un.int/zambia/ambarchivenew.html

Congratulations!!

I know I've already said it but congratulations again for producing two lovely great-nieces for me. It's great to see more photos.

Peli & Richard

Namwezi and Wamaka

Introducing...

Namwezi Ella Bould, born 2.7kg at 00:13, 22nd January by Cesarean section and her sister Wamaka Mia Bould, born 2.4kg one minute later.

Namwezi means 'princess' and is a Mambwe name in honour of her Zambian grandmother (arriving in Toronto tomorrow), Wamaka is Bemba meaning 'God is great' in honour of her Zambian grandfather.

Our thoughts are with their great grandparents, we really hope that Nandad's knee surgery went well.

Love Dylan and Chil

Twin Daughters for Chil & Dylan

Audrey and I are ecstatic at the news of the twins' births. All our family here in Norfolk, UK, are thinking of Chil, Dylan and little Namwezi and Wamaka. I would like to send our thanks to Chil and Dylan for producing such beautiful (grand)daughters, and our fond regards and congratulations to the rest of family, wherever you may be in the world.

Graham and Audrey
Proud grandparents.

Hooray for Mia and Ella!

Hip hip hooray!
Hope everyone is well - look forward to seeing some pictures before long.
Uncle Bill and Auntie Claudia

The finished extension to the farm in Lusaka

Pete sent me these photos of the newly finished extension to the house on Mum and Dad's farm in Lusaka. If you can't remember what it used to look like check out these photos from the first post on this blog, December 27 2006.



It looks fantastic on the inside...

This is how the veranda used to look

Thanks for the pictures Pete,

Dylan



PS

Mum just sent me these extra pictures of the new main entrance to the house in the extension. It looks huge!

A Mainsah/Che Christmas

Did everyone have a quiet Christmas? ...not everybody! Here are some photos of what the Mainsah/Che clan got up to over the holidays. If you want to see more then follow the 'More photography by Joel' link on the right.

For those of you that don't recognize her, this is Ese, Winnie and Victor's Daughter who is now 3 years of age-ish (not 100% sure of the dates here). Ese didn't recognize me in the summer, when I said "hi, Ese", she answered "how do you know my name?" in a very suspicous manner!


Kintashe, Sunjo and 'Zanga striking poses. Sunjo may look confused about your pose Zangi but we think you look cool.

Uncle Evaristus with Elsa, now about 2, last time you saw her on the blog she was just 6 months. She keeps getting prettier every day, just like Uncle Eva!

Left to right: Joel, Sophia, Joe, newborn baby Yana, Winnie, Eseosa, Kintashe, Monique, Evaristus, Kuzanga, Judith and Michael.

Chil promised that she'd grow an afro this big but got fed up with it and cut it! What do they put in the water in Budapest, Judith? Awesome!

The present-frenzy...


Some of little Elsa, obviously the star of the show, and below with her daddy Joel.


Nice boots 'Tashe, bet they keep you warm!

Looks like it was a great Christmas, wish we could have been there,

Dylan and Chil

Boxing Day

I thought I'd post this excellent portrait from Boxing day, stolen from Stephen's collection of photography, which you can find by using the Photography by Long Strattonian link on the right.

Dylan