Starting Solids

Well our first attempt at solids was at four and a half months as Plunket suggested because he is such a big boy he might need to start early. So we gave it a go but he wasn't into it, as you can see from the photos! We tried at it for about a week but he just didn't want to, he seemed happy enough with mummy's good stuff and it wasn't as if he was undernourished... Look at those cheeks :-)

Second time around a month later, on our return from Brisbane, he was right into it and hasn't looked back. His favourite is mummy made lamb mince and veges, better than those shop ones, which he does have when mums feeling lazy.

Nathan's Third Trip to Brisbane

Okay okay, I know it's kinda ridiculous but yes we were off to Brisbane again, this time with Daddy Dean in tow for Adam and Katie's Wedding. Dean and Troy were in the bridal party as good friend and brother (Troy) to the Groom. We stayed at Peter's mostly (thanks Pete) and were back and forth between there and Adam's house where a lot of the pre wedding action was. We arrived on Wednesday and the boys were off for the Bucks night. Thursday we went to the Gold Coast so Nathan and Ayla could meet their cousin Logan. Friday Nathan visited his good mate Ryda again. Saturday we had the wedding which was lovely. Sunday it was back to BICC to visit again. Monday we had lunch with some of Dean's friends, we had afternoon tea with Bronwyn and Daniel, and then around for dinner at Bianca and Calebs... Whew, busy busy busy!!! Tuesday was a cruise to the city on the City Cat to Dean's old workplace to see more work friends. Also that night we had Riki around for tea. Wednesday was hometime, it was a great time there but we were kinda glad to be heading back to our normal routine.

Along Came Ayla

Back in May, on the 29th to be exact Nathan's cousin Ayla Hayley Brown was born to his Aunty Lisa (Dean's sister) and Uncle Troy. What a gorgeous little girl, tiny compared to Mr Nathan. They are going to grow up good mates being only two and a half months apart.

Nathan's Second Trip to Brisbane

Another wedding another trip. This time in July for Bianca and Caleb's wedding. Unfortunately Nathan and I had to leave Dean behind to keep working to pay for all our trans Tasman excursions :-) We stayed with Chris and Renee (thanks again!!). We didn't do a lot on this trip which was kinda good, we were there for one important mission, to see our good friends tie the knot. We did manage to catch up with a lot of people at the wedding. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding. Mel and Ryda came to visit us again which was cool. Other than that we just enjoyed being in Brisbane again.

Nathan's First Trip to Brisbane

In June 2005 at 3 months old Nathan, mum (Nanny Mardi) and I went to Brisbane for my friend Vagi's wedding. We flew Air NZ and Nathan settled in with his headphones to watch a movie... Well not quite, but they had a nice comfy bassinet that he had a sleep in. He got to meet a few people for the first time. His Uncle Reid came down after being out at sea on the prawn boat, with two coral trout and a box of prawns for us. He got to meet his best buddy Ryda who is only 7 days younger than him. He was a hit at Aunty Vagi's wedding getting lots of hugs and kisses. We took a trip to Bribie Island High School where I worked and showed him off there, as well as meeting everyone at BICC on Sunday. So it was a very busy trip for the little man, he was so good although it did mess him up a bit when we got home and he decided he would no longer sleep through the night... :-/

The Arrival

He was two weeks late but finally arrived on March 11th 2005. He was worth waiting for too!! Isn't he cute. We named him Nathan (one of Dean's uncles names, and also the name of a prophet in the Bible) Tumarae (Dean's Maternal Grandfather's name) Hilliard. He was born after 21hours of labour (aargh) at 7.46am. He weighed in at 4.16kg or 9lb 2oz, which isn't small but considering his father and uncle Reid weighed around 10lb the chances of him being small were pretty slim :-) These photos are of his first month. I have to say it's pretty hard yacka in the first coupla weeks when you're sleep deprived and have no clue what you're doing (well that was me anyway!) But it does get easier and they do get more enjoyable. And just look at that cute smile, enough to make you forget about the long as labour and birth.

The Homecoming

After finding out we were having a baby (which was planned by the way) we decided that we should probably move home or the grandmothers would not have been too happy!! My good mate Mel was due around the same time :-). Anyway we resigned from our jobs as a software developer (Dean) and School Chaplain (Janna), said our goodbyes, sold all our stuff and flew home. Janna spent time in the mount relaxing her pregnant body while Dean started at his new job (same thing different place). We aquired a new addtion to the family, Moses the cat, and in the last weekend of January we moved into our house (that we bought in April 2004 and had been renting out). I wasn't too keen on the pinkish/apricot looking wallpaper throughout the house so we got to work (well when i say we i suppose i was more the overseer, being 8 months pregnant and all) and painted the inside. We got babies room all ready and waited and waited and waited...

The Brisbane Years

Our time in Brisbane from March 4th 2000 - December 16th 2004 was an awesome time. We made so many good friends had lots of fun and built our faith. We will always remember our time there with cool memories. A big Kia ora to everyone in Brisbane, hope you're enjoying the sun while we endure the typical NZ rain!!



Here is a picture taken from Google Earth of our neighbourhood in Brisbane. If you haven't checked out Google Earth yet, get it. The co-ordinates to our old house are 27d 26'17", 153d 03'44".

The Wedding

Dean and Janna were married on the 24th February 2001. It was held at Janna's uncles house in Opotiki (Te Totara Farm), it was a beautiful day, with lots of family and friends. Our wedding party included Erin Moyle, Talei Williams, Danielle Rolleston, Ueta Siteine, Warwick Aspin and Wendell Sisnett. There was a massive feed including crayfish caught by Duncan and Reid Dysart, mussels, kina, paua, oysters, trout, and lots of other yummy stuff - yes typical of Janna to talk about the food i know, but it is something most people remember isn't it? Or is that just me... After the wedding it was back to Brisbane to start our live as "The Hilliards".