The Hoff Twins: Monday, 2/2/2009 Introducing Louie and Jules!

Yes it is OFFICIAL (as in Belgian administration official - which means REALLY set in concrete now;) Christian, myself, Nikita, Joakim, and Chilli the dog are very pleased to introduce to family and friends our latest additions to the Hoff-Nielsen clan:

Louie Pekama & Jules Te Arahi Hoff-Nielsen

Thanks to all of you who voted (it is actually pure coincidence that these two names were also the most popular among you in our online survey. Great to know that we are so like minded!) Big thanks also to those of you who came back with 'other' suggestions. Here's a few that came close and a couple who made us giggle so much we could forget the serious-ness of the first few days: Jim & Jules, Davy & Tom, Ced(ric) and Thomas, Max & Phil, Wallace & Grommet, Dubel & Trubel. You lot, honestly:)

The boys are Danish since Christian made an honest woman of me back in 2006 and we shall be applying for New Zealand citizenship in addition.

What's behind the names?

Why Louie with an 'e'? Don't know really LOL! I guess we just wanted to take a slightly different twist on an otherwise classic name. We can imagine calling him Lou-lou as a nickname (at least while he's such a wee fella. Perhaps when he's 6ft s'thing weighing in at 100kgs muscle, then 'Lou-lou' might seem less appropriate)

Pekama is a family name (Maori) which seems to come originally from a great-uncle who died here in Belgium during the Great War. The latter is now a permanent resident at Khandahar War Cemetary in Nieuwkirke, West Belgium. It's kind of nice to know that his descendant, being born in Belgium will be taking his name back to New Zealand eventually.

We just loved the name 'Jules'. As the french-speaking Belgians would say, 'it is so mi-mi' which means cute. Again, 'Jules' is not entirely conventional and for our Danish family members it might seem downright bizarre since the pronunciation will seem one is talking about Christmas! We know also that we risk ridicule from our Kiwi mates, eg., "isn't that a girls' name?" or "LOL! ju-ju lips!!!" (you'll only get that last if u are a Kiwi so don't worry about it). But again, it will be a different story when our little 47cm/2.46kg grows into a 6ft/100kg muscle specimen of a man;)

We finally wanted a second maori name that would convey the concept of someone who was capable to move anywhere in the world, amongst all levels or classes of society, and be at 'one' with the people irrespective of their race, culture, religion, etc . You know we were so proud that Nikita and Joakim were both born without nationality (because Chris and I were not married at the time, and I came from the wrong hemisphere). They were for us TRUE international citizens. We're not out to save the world - please don't get me wrong! But Chris and I truly believe that we can learn so much from each other and that there is incredible beauty and richness in all cultures, all over the world. Hence finally, our youngest son's Maori name: 'Te Arahi'.