5 years ago the most amazing thing happened to me … I held my first born … my son … Nathan … for the first time! All I can say after 5 years and a phenomenal amount of love & kisses & hugs, is that I still cannot stop the need to hold him close to me!

5 years!!! Actually, I cannot say enough to capture the happiness he has brought into my life. Everyday, I look into his beautiful eyes and see the most amazing little boy, so full of life … so nicely naughty! The excessive amount of proudness that I feel may very well be enough to make anyone reading this blog reach out for the sick-bag … but then I am excessively proud of my boy!

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Conclusion: I am one lucky sod!

Happy 5th Birthday my Pal! Love Daddy xxx

1 year, 4 months, 12 days, 5 hours, and 42 minutes after Nathan’s birth (22nd February 2009 at 14:38pm) … both boys (Nathan and I) were sitting on the living room floor rolling a mini football to each other. The ball rolls again to Nathan, but now he tries to use his foot to push the ball back to Daddy. However, he discovers that one leg in-front and one leg behind is just too uncomfortable for a man.

Then both his little hands spread down on the floor, his pampers-protected bottom pointed to the sky, and from the crouching-cub position … he unfolded into a standing little boy … about 50 centimeters from the ball.

What happen next is all a blur for me … all I remember seeing is one foot moving forward and successfully landing on the ground. Admittedly, everything attached to the foot was still wobbling, but that did not stop the other foot copying the first! TWO STEPS!

I can only recall two thoughts … where is the camcorder when you need it and will the pamper’s nappy cushion the fall? I guess that both Nathan and I were equally surprised and my to-be third thought of whether or not he was going to kick the ball was quickly answered by Nathan landing back in a sitting position in a controlled manner and gabbing the ball with a happy sense of accomplishment!

Exactly one year ago, something very special happened to me. Actually, it began 9 months before that, but that is another story.

If I put all the wonderful things together that has happened to me in my life (and that is a lot!), it would not come close to the little package that I held tightly in my arms on Wednesday 10th October 2007. That package was something that I had been waiting for for 5 years, 8 months, and 3 weeks exactly … a new pal!

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The look on my face says it all. The most incredible sensation … holding my son … now I can truly understand how my father felt, especially since he had two daughters first!

That look/smile has been plastered on my face since Day 1. When looking back through the photos, I recognise the look in my own eyes … even though in some pictures, Nathan’s look is more like ‘Of all the fathers, in all the towns, in all the world, I end up with him.’

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But as the minutes turned in hours, which turned into days, which turned into weeks, which in turn turned into months, we reestablished the ‘boys’ club! We travelled together, ate together, slept more or less at the same time, chilled out together, watched tv together, and had great times playing! Basically, we just did what we were best at!

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And we continue to do what we are best at!

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But today, Friday 10th October 2008, we pay tribute to a special little boy who turns ‘1’! And there was no shortage of recognition of this momentous occasion! His very first birthday table was brim full!

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Of course, no birthday would be complete without Leija-ma’s special chocolate cake. Even though Nathan was unfortunately too young to appreciate the cake, Daddy had sufficient appreciation for the both of them and without hesitation continued to put the cake in a safe place … namely his stomach!

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Present time could not be put off any longer … Daddy had waited too long to play with his son’s new toys … in a supporting role of course! Present after present after present, made Nathan’s eyes just grow bigger and bigger!

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One thing we do know is that he is a real ‘de Haas’ … wheels, steering wheel, and other car accessories are the basis of a good present! Even at such a young age, it is remarkable how absorbed he gets when a car is placed in front of him!

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Ultimately, two presents were a real success (even though one was well used before Nathan got his hands on it – Auntie Angie knows what I am talking about). I will not say from whom they were from, but that trip to Marks ‘n’ Spencers did the trick!

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Oh yes, I nearly forgot, exactly one year ago, something very special happened to Mummy too.

Happy 1st Birthday my boy! Love Daddy & Mummy xxx

Sunday 20th April 2008 was a special date for us. Firstly, it was the birthday of my grandmother. Secondly, it is the date that is exactly between my father’s birthday and Barbara’s father’s birthday. But most importantly, this day marked a special occasion in our family. The baptism of our son, signifying the beginning of his journey with God.

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My son, as God said to his son, I say onto you, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

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Thanks goes to my family and friends who helped make this day very special for us!

I can’t get my head around it … my boy is already half a year old … 6 months!!!

And at 6 months, I have the most wonderful smiling, 70cm, 7500g, bouncing boy!

In the picture below, he is modeling his latest outfit … making him look so grown up!

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He is the most perfect little boy and it is so much fun to see him develop his on little personality … and his quirks:

[1] As at 5 months, when he is hungry … he is HUNGRY!
[2] Now started experimenting to find that ‘just right’ sleeping position!

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In true ‘de Haas’ style, the bubbles flowed in celebration!

Happy ½ Birthday my little coconut! Love Mum & Dad xxx

Well we can’t stop him from growing so fast! His appetite his huge and when he is hungry … he is HUNGRY! He is a quiet and happy little guy … but with no tolerance when it comes to having to wait for his food. When he is hungry … he will let you KNOW it … and the neighbours … and half the people in New Zealand!

Anything that goes remotely close to his mouth suffers the same gravitational pull as a black hole.

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Snacking on mummy’s hand between meals is becoming more frequent, especially now that he has discovered his own fist is not big enough for his appetite. He is definitely taking after his father and grandfather, when it comes to enjoying a good size piece of meat!

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Caught again!!!

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Happy 5 months our little guy!!! Love Mum & Dad xxx

Wednesday 16th January 2008 marks three special occasions:

[1] 10th birthday of my car!
[2] Nathan’s first cold.

But most importantly, especially after all Nathan’s sad miserable sobbing from feeling unwell, Daddy has created Nathan’s first vlog appearance! I have this video on my iPhone and have been watching it non-stop during my trip to Portugal. No matter how much I missed him, I still had my smile permanently plastered onto my face.

I hope that he warms your hearts too!