The First Time Mum

Hi folks, first I better start off with some introductions… I’m Harriet. AKA, Harriet the Pom or Red Shaver. I live with my partner Hayden and now our daughter Peggy. Not forgetting three dogs – Basil Winston and Skye, two horses – Larry and Toby and usually a few thousand layer hens.

I moved over from the UK nearly three years ago now. My love for NZ began back in 2014 when I lived and worked in a small place called Piopio in the King Country for some great friends on their sheep and beef farm – Rotomate. Although I was brought up on a dairy farm, life and work randomly lead me to pursue a career in poultry and predominantly laying hens. Before moving to NZ I worked for a feed mill (Crediton Milling) travelling around poultry farms advising farmers on how to get the best out of their flock; whether this be through feeding, lighting, general management, you name it. I loved this job! However, I had this irrational fear of being single and 30 and so at the ripe old age of 28 I managed to find a job in Otago and shipped my whole life to the other side of the world.

And what a decision that was. One of the best decisions I have ever made. Yes, it is hard leaving family and friends and I miss them all very much. But thankfully we have the power of technology and aeroplanes! I met Hayden through work; I was his boss at the time. Couldn’t write it. Now, nearly three years later, we have bought a house and have a ten week old daughter called Peggy. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and it really does!

So here I am, sat trying to juggle a crying baby, dirty nappies, producing milk and keeping the house clean. No one really can prepare you for what having a child is really like, but I also wouldn’t change it for the world.

I have to warn you that I have never read a blog, let alone written one, so this all could get very interesting. But the inspiration for this blog started when driving round NZ visiting friends and family and getting overly excited when finding a place to stop that had a change table in the disabled toilets. Never did I think this would become one of the most helpful things in life. I therefore wanted to try and help mums in the same position and point them in the right direction as to the best places to change your baby when on the move. And then I thought, well why only stop with that, why not go all out and write a blog about my journey with Peggy. So here we are…. I hope you enjoy!