Declan gets Dedicated and Turns ONE!!

So after a very busy Friday at Bruce and Tash's wedding we decided that we would get Declan dedicated on the Sunday and have an early Birthday party for Declan with our family and a couple of our closest friends. Declan was definitely the star of the day. During the dedication he decided to play with Daryl's (the pastor) microphone and when that got boring he tried taking the dedication booklet out of Daryl's hand. Declan had us all in hysterics, and by 'us all' I mean the entire congregation. 

Erin and Ross are Declan's God Parents and we feel blessed to have such good friends praying and looking out for Declan when they can. Erin prayed such a lovely prayer for Declan and we are very thankful to have Erin and Ross as such good friends in our life. Also, Declan's best little friend Caleb who is 5 days younger than Declan happens to be Erin and Ross' son.

After the church service we headed home for some lunch with the family and a bit of a celebration for Declan's birthday.

My sister Lisa made the cake and with the help of my other sister Becca they decorated it and did such a fantastic job! Thank you so much.

Our Family

The Team

Daryl, Emily, Jo, Matt, Declan, Erin and Ross

 The Cake!

 Happy Birthday Declan

 Yay!

Then on Declan's real birthday we just had a quiet day at home. He hasn't been very well over the 7 weeks (ish) with several ear infections. As of today he is on his 3rd lot of antibiotics for an ear infection that just won't go away! Our poor little guy.

We actually can't believe it that we have made it to a year, we must say that Declan has had a hard year but we made it! His vibrant Red hair is going curly, he is just about walking, he has a few words, eats pretty much anything, loves cuddles with his Mummy and Daddy, and adores his sister. He is the sweetest, cheekiest, funniest and most wonderful little boy in our lives. We Love you Little Red, Happy Birthday!

Here are a few photos from his actual Birthday

New Trike and trailor

Gangsta Boy

Bruce and Tash get Married!

Our good friends Bruce and Tash got married on the 2nd of December 2011. It was a fabulous day. With Beautiful weather (no wind for Wellington!), the most beautiful bridal party I have ever seen and a beautiful wedding and reception. Our little family was very privileged to be part of their big Day. Matt was one of Bruce's groomsmen and Emily was Tash's flower girl.

Tash was such a stunning bride and she did such a good job at organising the wedding, everything was perfect!

They got married at Gear Homestead in Papakowhai and the reception was a Boomrock. They are both beautiful venues and it was a great day had by all.

Our little girl was very nervous about being a flower girl and I must admit I was nervous for her but she did a fantastic job. She walked down the isle with one of the bridesmaids and sprinkled some petals and stood up the front the whole ceremony like a little angel. She was great at getting photos taken and then at the reception she was perfect and when she got tired she just asked to be taken to the office so she could watch a DVD. At about 9.50pm she was getting really tired and so we decided that she had done really well and we should probably get her home to bed. She was asleep in the car within 5 minutes. She didn't sleep in the next day and it did take her a few days to catch up, but that is to be expected.

Here are a few photos from the big day. There are a few professionals ones of the bride and groom on Kate MacPherson's website

Emily before the ceremony

Walking down the steps

Sprinkling Petals

Beautiful Tash

Thank you Bruce and Tash for letting us share in your Special Day!

I'm Getting a bit Slack

So I've decided that I have been getting a bit slack at updating my blog....or have I? So many things have happened in the last wee while and I think I can give myself a bit of a break for taking so long to update.

Things that have happened in the last month or so include, several ear infections for Little Red, a wedding in which Emily was a flower girl and Matt was a groomsmen, Declan getting dedicated and turning the BIG One and our ensuite renovation. These will all be covered in separate posts.....So here we go.

Blog Update a bit overdue

Well I can't believe it has been nearly a month since I last posted on my blog. Time has just slipped away on me. We are currently renovating our bathrooms (ensuite first) and things have been a bit chaotic at times. I can't wait until they are finished actually but it will be a while away. I'm sure it will be worth the wait though.

Declan is nearly 11 months old and in 1 month that means he will be ONE! Yes we have nearly made it to the big ONE.

Little Red still absolutely adores his sister and just really wants to be with her whenever she is home. Lately Emily has started shutting her bedroom door to play barbies or just read stories. Little Miss Independent! I actually can't believe that in a few months she will be four (even if most people think she must be about to turn 5). In just a few weeks she will be a flower girl for our very good friends Bruce and Tash. She tried on her dress the other day and she just looked so beautiful, it makes me realise that she is growing so fast!

I took some photos the other day of Declan playing in the 'Play room' and then he heard his sister playing, and was off to find her. Please excuse the bare walls in the hallway...as I said we are in renovation stages.

Hi Mum

What you doing Mum?

I hear Emily and.... 

I'm going to find her!

I Found her room Mumma, but the door is closed :(

Knock knock....No Answer :(

So off he goes to his own room and reads his favourite book.

Then a few days ago Becca, Jackson and Amelia came to play. Emily and Jackson were really quiet so I went to check on them. Emily was reading Jackson a story....Very cute!

 Then just because....here is another cute photo of my 'Little Red'

I Hope that I can update the blog again soon. Until then...Bye!

Declan is 10 Months

Wow its hard to believe that Declan was 10 months old yesterday. In two months time he will be One! 


He only started crawling a few weeks ago and he is already pulling up on furniture etc. He loves looking out the window and if Sam (one of our dogs) is there looking then Declan often scoots off and pulls himself up to have a nosey. It looks so cute because there is a black lab and a little Red Head looking out the window (I hope to catch this on camera soon).

So at 10 months old Declan is crawling, standing next to furniture, clapping, waving, nodding, shaking his head (meaning No), babbling etc (with "Mumma" and "Dad" in context). He also eats (a lot), he likes his food and will try most things. He gets very excited over food sometimes, especially at the cafe if there is a scone present. He shakes his hands and feet very excitedly! Very cute! 
He has learnt how to feed Flynn off the highchair. Finds it quite fascinating, and Flynn loves it!


On his 10 month birthday he even cut his two Front teeth (top teeth) overnight!


Declan adores Emily and she adores him. No one can make Declan laugh like his sister. Emily often says when Declan wakes up from a nap "I think you want a cuddle from your big sister". Declan follows Emily around the house (sometimes to Emily's disapproval). 


Bath time is very messy with Declan because he Loves to splash! We should dress in waterproof gear somedays. He just loves water!


Grumpy Declan often finds "Mumma" when he is grizzly and climbs my legs when he wants a cuddle - very cute (not so cute if I'm trying to cook dinner).


Declan is still a reflux (still medicated) baby but a much happier reflux baby. We know one day he will grow out of it and look forward to that day. At least we know now that if he having his medication and not drinking much milk then he is our happy little boy.


Anyway, in the 10 months Declan has learnt so much. It still amazes me how much a baby develops in the first few years of their life! 

Loving His Food

Can you spot Flynn?

Clever little Standing Boy

Looking out the window

What Mum, were the windows clean?

Talkative Little Man

Just Because......

.....I haven't taken many photos of Emily lately I decided to take some this morning. Also because she loves her Daddy so much there are a few of Emily and her Daddy too......and then I couldn't decide which ones, so there are a few! Enjoy!