gorilla.cd

Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga

Having a Baby…

20 May 2009 Filed under (My Family) by Samantha @ 4:25 pm

And that would be a human baby! Not a gorilla, nor a chimp, nor any other kind of primate that may be found in the Congo wilderness.

Yes - William and I are due to be parents on June 2nd. So in 2 weeks. (Sorry - no photo of protuding belly!) This means I will be visibly absent from the blog for June, July and August. I will still follow what is going on - the ups and downs, the hiccups and the successes - but just from a slightly further distance than usual. I am now in London and will be back in Congo and back in the saddle by mid to late September.

I shall post a photo undoubtedly of the new arrival - we don’t yet know if it is a boy or a girl. A dear friend has already sent me baby grows with the Virunga logo emblazened on the front - so for better or worse it will be very hard for me to forget what is going on in the park! It has been a pretty interesting pregnancy I think, being in Congo - as most people logically assume that us muzungus came out of 4×4s and planes. Mostly it doesn’t even cross their mind that we procreate in the same way! So lots of comments, questions, surprise, curiosity…

I hope to see the Protect the Park project improve in leaps and bounds with more and more plots sponsored, and of course the briquette program, a park-changing project that is so important to all of us. We have nearly reached our fundraising target which is exciting. The gorillas and other wildlife of Virunga will never be far from my mind - Diddy and Innocent and others are on the Google Talk regularly to tell me what is going on!

Thanks again for all your comments, donations, awareness raising and overwhelming support for what these brave and talented Rangers are trying to achieve. Catch you all later… Samantha

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21 Responses to “Having a Baby…”

  1. virginia Virginia Says: 20 May 2009

    You too are having an out of this world baby, that is for sure! Hope all is well with the big watermelon, we look forward to seeing those pics!

  2. mopdycke mopdycke Says: 20 May 2009

    Congrats Samantha and William! We hoped you’d come out of the bush at some point and pass on your best traits to the next generation. Luckily for the gorillas and the park, you won’t be away too long. Good luck!

  3. theresa theresa Says: 20 May 2009

    Congratulations, Samantha! Wishing you a safe (and short) delivery. Motherhood is absolutely the best experience in the world. Looking forward to seeing the new Virunga baby. Take care.

  4. irisk iris Says: 20 May 2009

    Great news, Samantha! I hope the next two weeks won’t seem too long to you. I look forward to seeing photos of the baby – and the proud parents! Untill then, all the very best, Iris

  5. philippaterblanche philippaterblanche Says: 20 May 2009

    Many congrats Samantha and William! I wish you all the best and looking forward to the photos :)
    x

  6. lisah lisah Says: 21 May 2009

    Wow Samantha!!!! Congratulations to you and William!!!!! Visitors to the park…..babies being born…..all such wonderful and welcome news after so much time of working so hard. Motherhood is like nothing else. The love is overwhelming and actually makes you care ten times more (if that’s possible) about the world we are leaving behind for our children. I know you will be a fantastic mom and I’m so happy for you!!!!! : )

  7. William Deed William Deed Says: 21 May 2009

    Good luck!

    Will be in touch.

  8. katyavfbconnected katyav Says: 21 May 2009

    (Felicitation…! ET Bonne chance pour tout) will be waiting for September to welcome the baby!

  9. brenton brenton Says: 21 May 2009

    All the best Samantha and William! I am sure that all in the Congo will be missing you while that you are in London. I hope that you will use a name from Africa for the baby. Brenton.

  10. Susana P (Argentina) Susana P (Argentina) Says: 21 May 2009

    Samantha, mis mas sinceros votos de felicidad para ti y para William y tambien los mejores augurios para el bebe que esta proximo por llegar. Espero que en setiembre puedas regresar a Virunga para continuar con tu valiosisima tarea.

    Un afectuoso saludo
    Susana Pataro

  11. samantha Samantha Says: 21 May 2009

    Thanks everyone! (y gracias :)) Will keep you all posted… 13 days to go!

  12. sheryl, washington dc sheryl, washington dc Says: 21 May 2009

    Well, you could knock me over with a feather. Good luck, hope everything works out OK and look forward to hearing from you soon.

    s.

  13. Brigitta Sfbconnected Brigitta S Says: 21 May 2009

    Dear Samantha. Good luck an all the best! Congratulations, Brigitta

  14. robertwfbconnected Robert Williams Says: 21 May 2009

    That’s great you guys are going to let it be a surprise. Good luck, Ma & Pa!

  15. Diddy Diddy Says: 22 May 2009

    Nous te manquons SAM, essayez d’écourter ton séjour à Londres après l’accouchement.
    september is so far.

  16. Lucy Lucy Says: 22 May 2009

    Yey!!! Only 12 days to go!!! Sending you positive vibe!!! You’ll do great!
    Can’t wait to see you back in Goma in Sept!
    xxx

  17. samantha Samantha Says: 22 May 2009

    Yup - 12 days and counting. :) hey Sheryl - didn’t mean to shock you!

  18. Samantha Gives Birth to a Boy! | gorillacd.org Samantha Gives Birth to a Boy! | gorillacd.org Says: 15 Jun 2009

    [...] am pleased to announce that on Saturday at 5 AM Samantha gave birth to a healthy baby boy at St Thomas Hospital in London. The as yet un-named baby weighed [...]

  19. Ed Hardy clothes Ed Hardy clothes Says: 23 Jul 2009

    Yey!!! Only 12 days to go!!! Sending you positive vibe!!! You’ll do great!
    Can’t wait to see you back in Goma in Sept!

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