Cousins, headbutts and North Head again.

Well, it is a very tempting spot for a stroll and family history is all over the place at North Head - even Uncle Jarrod, all the way from NY had time for a quick ascent on his visit here last year, followed by a bungy off Sky Tower, sorry no photos. So Aunt Liz, Uncle Angus and cousins Rose and Jack continue the tradition....

Joe tried hard to show enthusiasm but must have wondered why we were here again.

Meanwhile, Georgia made the most of the chance to catch up with Jack and Rose - many thanks for looking after G and J so well, especially the stroller/pram driving convoy. G and Jack did a reasonable impression of mountain goats, headbutting on a slope.

Thanks too for managing to pose long enough for a couple of cousin shots, minus Joe who was off looking for food.

Great day, enough exercise to justify ice creams and fish and chips and who knows, maybe Georgia would go to bed without a fuss........yeah, right. Soon as Joe was asleep, off she went to test the water...

Thanks for dropping in to get acquainted with Joe and thanks for a load of choice pressies from the Matatmata whanau. Happy times!

One month on

Hey there,
Joe is finding...if not his feet, then his toes in his new home. Eating like twelve piglets has helped his weight increase and nightsleeps are beginning to happen. Here he practises a cheerful "all's well" wave...

It's reassuring that Joe is able to remain so upbeat after a torrid evening avoiding Georgia's attentions.....

But she is well-intentioned in her affections, if a little........scary. Joe is already proving himself quite a different infant to Georgia - sleeping and eating more, willing to drink formula from a bottle and crying less. One thing they do have in common is an instant recognition of the most important member of the family....

Big Day Out

If you don't count the North Head expedition on Day 4, this was Joe's first major trek (practice for the Tongariro Crossing, sometime in the next ten years.) Perfect weather, low tide so Georgia and Joe tackled the shore between Narrowneck Beach and Cheltenham. Of course, Georgia led the way...

Joe showed early signs of exhaustion but with Georgia's encouragement he managed to open his eyes several times during the walk. This wasn't one of those times..

Half way round, the tide was racing - Joe's pram bounced over rocks and through pools and still he slept. Georgia wanted to signal a rescue plane.

Laughing in the face of danger, Mum and Georgia pose for a photo as ominous ripples appear on the sea's surface.

Home at last, way past Georgia's naptime. "Time for a kip", observed Joseph. "I'll get up in a bit, promise"...

Intro - who they is...

OK, it's taken us a while to get going with the blog thing but from now on we hope there'll be regular photo postings and comments. For those of you who may not know, Georgia and Joseph Keane are the daughter and son of Amanda French and Liam Keane, grandchildren of Daphne French and Christine Keane (thanks again to both of you, nana Chris for the birth help and nana Daphne for heading our way this August all the way from England.) Niece and nephew of Jarrod and Stephanie French and Marcus French, also in Britain, hope to see you very soon, Catherine, Elizabeth and Angus Robson and Michael Keane in England, Matamata and Wellington respectively, start booking holidays in Auckland the lot of you. Big hello to stepnan Sue, (one day we'll get you to NZ) and uncles all over NZ Hugh, Alastair and Barry - check out Joseph's brows for a reminder of a certain grandfather. Finally, cousins of Rose and Jack Robson (see you very soon!) and Katerina French whose photos are too cute for words and is closest in age to Joseph. OK, is that everyone? Then let's show some photos....

Just so everyone understands, Georgia was here first and she rules the roost. Pause to recollect some memorable moments from the past 20 months.....

OK, so to bring things up to date - Joseph was born on 29th May at 4.45 pm. Let's skip the squelchy birth moments and show some recent pics:

Hey there

Liam and Amanda welcome you to the Georgia and Joseph page. Friend or relative, hope you enjoy the pictures and info about these two whether cute, surreal or horrifying.