A World of Firsts.....

This Christmas will be our first as a family with our little man Jake. At nearly 3 months, we've now experienced our first true laugh out loud giggle, finding our hands (and how well they fit in our mouth) and our voice which is capable of commanding attention with a screech or a gentle coo from whoevers in range. I got to share my first birthday with Jake....well it was actually my 39th but I've decided to stop counting from now on in. Nath and I also had our 3rd wedding anniversary, which brought us to our first outing without Jake and Abuela and Abuelo came to babysit - another first for for both them and us! Looking forward to another first soon - Jake's first swim. In the meantime, here's the latest pics.

What a difference a week makes...

Okay, so I couldn't help but updating so soon with new pics as mum (or "Abuela/Grandma Gladys" as she's now become) came and stayed for a few days and took some great pics of her, "nieto" Jake. ("nieto" = grandson in Spanish). For your viewing pleasure... Jake says a big "Hi" and "thanks for coming" to all the ladies (and Matt) at Haven where he stopped by on Thursday for the big introduction. Good to catch up with you guys and hope to see you again soon. Till next time, Gabbie

Latest on Jake

One month on, Jake has gained just over 600 grams, grown over 5cm and well on his way to being a heartbreaker! I may be biased, but judge for yourself. Here's the latest pics of our little prince! Occasionally, I'm awake as well... kisses for mum...

Jake's Here!

Gabbie and Nathan are happy to announce the arrival of Jake Auahi Smith, born September 21st at 9:14am. Jake weighed in at 3.045kg and 48cm in length. He was welcomed by his very happy grandparents, Rosemary Melvin and Gladys and Carlos Aguirre and Uncle Matt. Welcome to the world Jake!

The Final Countdown!

After two weeks at home, feet up and relaxing, I'm very much on the final countdown to D-day. We have two weeks to go until we get to meet our baby on it's official due date of September 21st, 2006. We were originally going to go in for a c-section on September 14th, but after discussing this with our very good OB, Rob, we decided that giving our new baby the very best chance was more important than how nervous we might be feeling about extending the pregnancy and waiting a little longer, so September 21 it is. You see Billie Rose was born at 37 weeks and Rob felt going past that date might make us (and this includes him) all very nervous and tense, but with no real medical reasons as all has been going very well with all growth and wellbeing ultrasounds to date showing baby growing as he/she should be (if not a little ahead of themselves!). Our last ultrasound for this pregnancy was on Thursday, and baby weighed 2.9kg with a head circumference of 33.3cm!!! That's a big noggin! Thank goodness I'm having a c-section. Keeping busy in the meantime with Billie Rose dresses business and helping Nathan publicise his speaking/personal training business. Both going strong and keeping me from climbing the walls and the soaps on tv! Speaking of the dresses, if any of you have any interest in holding a "dress party" please feel free to contact me at gsm64063@bigpond.net.au for a booking!

Better late than never!

For those who weren't there because they couldn't be, here are a couple of pics of our wedding in Fiji. We will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary this December 6th, 2006.

In the beginning...

In the beginning, there was only me, mum and dad. We travelled across the miles and followed the path of many an immigrant and boarded the flying kangaroo from Uruguay, South America to the sunny shores of Sydney, Australia in the Summer of 73. Australia was the land of the opportunity, and it eventually became home. We were lucky to make many good friends, that after so many years together, became family. The Gonzalez's, Gutierrez's, to name a few. Then, one day, late in 1979, my mum gave us all the shock of our lives by announcing we were soon to be four. In September 1980, after enjoying the joy and spoils of life as an only child, the Christmases of loads and loads of toys - all beautifully wrapped and sitting under the tree for nobody but me, along came Matt, my brother. As a thirteen year old, and being very tall for my age, walking down the streets of suburbia while pushing a stroller, I was often mistaken for another unwed teenage mother, and poor mum, mistaken for a grandmother at 39!! But that was then and this is now, and today, I wouldn't trade his sweet, sweet soul for all the toys and lollies in the world. In 2002, after years of wondering in the wilderness of loneliness and unsuccessful attempts at a love life and half hearted relationships, I finally had enough of kissing frogs and met the prince, Nathan. You know how well meaning friends and loved ones tell you for years and years, that when you meet the right one for you, you'll just "know"? What a load of hogwash, I used to think. Not any more. It wasn't quite the thunderbolt of romantic tales and lore, but more like a slow burning realisation, that there was no denying this growing feeling and simply one word. Yes. This was somehow, right. A worldwind romance ensued. We met in June, I moved in September, and by December, we were engaged. A year later, we were off to Fiji with 25 of our nearest and dearest from both sides of the Tasman. My prince was from New Zealand! We had a beautiful wedding, complete with "lucky' rain and a fantastic Fijian minister. Unfortunately, he came with baggage - Lucy. She's a rhodesian ridgeback cross, very orange, sheds hair all year round, but is extremely lovable. She doesn't bark, but whine - constantly. She's a total poser and loves having her photo taken. Lucky, cause after Nathan, she's my favourite subject.

As our family grows, so will my posts...but for now, that's our story.

A first attempt..

After many half hearted attempts to start my own webpage, here I go launching myself into the abyss that is the world wide web. Wish me luck! As a writer (bah!), I have no intention of boring you (the unfortunate reader) to tears with the humdrum details of my life, so this forum will only be used to amuse you as life amuses me and to flog some pretty little girls dresses. Right now, I am 26 weeks pregnant with my second child and to ensure that my mind stays fresh and sharp as it's always been (although my husband would argue that point), I've decided to start a venture to keep me busy as I'm sure raising a baby is a breeze! (sarcasm: a low form of wit, but something I tend to rely on every now and then). I've named my venture Billie Rose, in honour of our beautiful baby girl who was born sleeping on April 13, 2005. If Billie had lived, she would have undoubtedly been a very pretty, sharp as a tack, slightly tomboyish, ball of energy (just like her dad, except for the pretty part he's just outright handsome). We had visions of dressing her in old school, pretty little girl dresses after the lovely hospital staff at Royal Randwick provided us with a gorgeous white dress with lavender smocking for her to wear. We knew then that this was what she was meant to wear. No halter tops and mid riff baring outfits for our little girl! She was going to be a lady! As luck would have it, we stumbled across the very dresses we dreamed of Billie wearing whilst on our last holiday to Noosa. Judith, a lovely lady, creates a range of gorgeous, detailed little lady outfits under the Cleo label and I'll be distributing for her. If you see something you like, leave me a message and I'll be in touch. Here's a couple of samples to wet your appetite.