Meet Oliver – Our Wish Child

A Long-Awaited Dream

Oliver was born on June 1st, 2023, at exactly 10:00 a.m. by C-section at Klinikum Heidenheim, Germany. But his story began much earlier.

Oliver was a wish child. After our twins, Julian and Sebastian, we dreamed of having a third baby—ideally a girl. The thought of the two older brothers being protective guardians of their little sister melted our hearts. But Oliver would not be Oliver if he had accepted that plan so easily.

From the very beginning, he proved to be the strongest. We all know that life starts with a miracle: each of us once fought against about 200 million sperm cells for the chance of life. Oliver was the one who succeeded.

Although the first pregnancy test came back negative, I, as his father, felt that couldn’t be true. Only a few days later, the doctor confirmed what I already knew: Oliver was on his way. The joy was overwhelming.

Struggles During Pregnancy

The journey, however, was not without ups and downs. In the 8th week of pregnancy, on a Saturday night, Laura suddenly experienced bleeding. Fears came rushing back—that the pregnancy could end prematurely. At that time, we were in Mexico with my in-laws, and finding a gynecologist on a Saturday night was not easy. When we finally did, the diagnosis was clear: high-risk pregnancy. Laura was prescribed strict bed rest for weeks, only allowed to leave the bed to use the bathroom.

On November 23rd, during the 12th week, we were told there was a high chance it might be a girl. But Oliver had his own plan. After the 20th week, our doctor handed us a sealed note. Laura and I opened it secretly during dinner. It said: Niño. At first we felt a pang of disappointment, but soon that gave way to happiness: the pregnancy was going well, with no signs of illness or complications. What mattered most was that we were on the way to having three healthy children.

At the gender reveal celebration, when blue confetti appeared, some may have expected disappointment. But there was none—only joy. I began picturing a life with three boys: sports, football matches, and wild playtimes. My excitement grew.

Birth of Oliver

On June 1st, 2023, the day finally arrived. Oliver was born by planned C-section, the second one of the day, at exactly 10:00 a.m.

I was never good with the sight of blood, and even being present in the operating room was a challenge for me. When our twins were born during the pandemic, cutting the umbilical cord had never been an option. But this time, the doctors handed me the scissors. Though I had said I didn’t want to, I cut the cord. Looking back, I believe it was symbolic. From the very beginning, my bond with Oliver was incredibly strong.

The first half hour of his life, I held him skin-to-skin on my chest. I promised him then that I would always protect him.

Becoming a Family of Five

The first three days in the hospital felt strange. Our twins had been the center of our attention for years. Suddenly, this tiny baby shifted the focus. We were worried about how Julian and Sebastian would react—but Oliver immediately became their little brother to love and protect.

From this moment, the strong bond between the three boys began to grow.

Who Was Oliver?

From the very beginning, it was clear: Oliver was neither Julian nor Sebastian. His hair was blond like Sebastian’s, but he had chubby cheeks like Julian. He had a small birthmark on his belly and a tiny dimple on his right cheek when he smiled. His laughter was infectious, and his appetite was always healthy—he thrived and grew strong.

Unlike the twins, who were always compared to each other, Oliver seemed simply at peace with himself. He was an easy baby: not fussy, slept well at night, and greeted each day with a smile. His grin could turn a rainy day into sunshine.

First Birthday in the Rain

The months flew by, and Oliver’s first birthday approached. We had planned a big celebration in our garden in Germany—30 guests, children and adults, just like the twins had enjoyed in Mexico for their first birthday. And June 1st, 2024, fell on a Saturday—perfect.

But then came one of the heaviest rainstorms in years. For three days, the rain didn’t stop. Our tents flooded, the garden turned into a swamp. With heavy hearts, we had to cancel the celebration. Oliver’s first birthday literally fell into the water.

First Steps, Dancing, and Words

Around this time, Oliver began to walk. Once he figured it out, there was no stopping him. Soon, he was dancing—his own unique style, with little dribble steps and twirls. When asked for a photo, he often struck his signature pose: leaning to the left with a big smile.

His first words came shortly after. Clever as he was, Oliver always picked the easier word—whether from German or Spanish. He loved drawing with his brothers, building with Legos, and climbing stairs. Fiercely independent, he often insisted, “Alone!”. If we tried to steady him going down the stairs, he would protest, climb back up, and start again on his own.

Ready for Kindergarten

Oliver loved routine. Every morning, he accompanied us to drop the twins at kindergarten, then to the bakery, then to the supermarket where everyone greeted him warmly. Soon, we asked if Oliver could join the kindergarten himself. To our surprise, he was offered a spot early, at just 20 months.

In February, he began. That very first hour of integration was pure joy—Oliver didn’t want to go home. But rules were rules. The first week was a highlight for him, a taste of a new adventure.

Unfortunately, the adaptation process was interrupted—illnesses, staff shortages, and finally our decision to spend six weeks in Mexico in April. It was agreed that the integration would have to restart afterward. Until then, Oliver stayed home, often disappointed. He was always the first to put on his shoes in the morning, while his brothers sometimes resisted.

Special Time with Mama & Papa

This gave us more precious time together. To support Laura and train for the Berlin Marathon 2025, I often went jogging at midday with Oliver in the stroller. We developed a wonderful routine: first greeting the chickens at the Brenzelhof, then the sheep and goats, and finally running into the forest. On the gravel road towards Taufenweiler, Oliver usually fell asleep.

The forest’s quiet, my son sleeping in front of me—it took away all the stress of daily life. I came home a different person every time. These runs gave me peace, and Oliver his nap.

The Trip to Mexico

On April 2nd, we set off for Mexico. In the weeks before, we visited friends and family almost daily. I also repaired many things around the house I had postponed for ages—things I hadn’t even done before earlier trips. I even trimmed the thuja trees in our garden for the first time. Somehow, I wanted everything to be in order.

On the day of departure, we filmed our walk from the house to the car. Instead of driving straight to the airport, we visited our 90-year-old aunt Rosi in the hospital. Looking back, all these little details feel almost symbolic—as if we sensed that something was about to change.