Kaneihana Aleot Tinui Fuimaono

Its only appropriate that this post be to my beautiful daughter Kaneihana who turned 12 on Monday, May 3, 2010. Nicknamed Pretty within our family, it only goes to show how well Nicknames work.

Kaneihana

I remember the day when Kaneihana was born, it was a day like any other but Kaneihana was the first of my children to be born in daylight hours, 9.30am to be exact and what a beautiful birth it was.

I had gone into labour early on a Sunday morning and it was a birth that we had all anticipated eagerly as I had travelled from Australia while 7 months pregnant due to a family emergency.

Kaneihana was delivered by Chris Hannah, a midwife that I have great respect for due to her proactive and truly caring manner for both Mother and child. Chris had delivered 2 of my previous children and so I knew that I was getting nothing but the best in terms of pre-natal, delivery and after birth care! I have delivered all my babies semi-reclined but Kaneihana was just that little bit more special, she was my first experience in using a birthing seat and what initially proved to be a stressful delivery soon faded into a nothingness once I sat on that seat, supported by Hoani and bought my daughter into the world after one push in 5-7 minutes.

The stages of ages

My beautiful girl has grown into a mature and intelligent young lady. She is not without faults as she is naturally outspoken and this can sometimes lead to some heated sibling rivalry moments, but it reassures me that Kaneihana will not be pushed around in her adult years.

At a few weeks old we returned to Australia and Kaneihana thrived, reaching most of her milestones at an early age. She was adored by all and showed early signs of a stubborn temper but this was soon tempered by her older brothers and sisters.

Puti puti Kaneihana

Over the years Pretty has become an absolute gem and is always eager to please in most things she does, from her studies to chores, and helping out with her siblings young and old alike.

Kaneihana has a great future ahead of her and with the birth of her nephew LeSiah she continues to show that she is one family oriented young lady.

Intelligent, caring and beautiful

Our little lady has even appeared in her own advertisement with Oscar Kightley for VTNZ – VTNZ the Safety Experts

We named Kaneihana after her Grandmother, one of the most amazing women I have met in my life. She was a rare beauty in this world, honest, humble and so very wise. Kaneihana is Maori for Carnation so I believe she has her beauty from both her Grandmother and the flower that bares the same name.

Our girl has been very lucky to have grown up with many influences from her cousins, Aunties and step-Mum – she is a reflection of all those very special people!

Im looking forward to the coming years with our motivated young Kaneihana, if her namesake is anything to go by, she will have some big shoes to fill but I know, shes up for the challenge and making her own mark on her beautiful name – Kaneihana.

Kaneihana and her nephew LeSiah