Twelve-year-old brother Jaxon Jellyman, with proud parents Jayden Jellyman and Emma Mason as they celebrate Arya Jellyman-Mason's first birthday. Photo Warren Buckland
Twelve-year-old brother Jaxon Jellyman, with proud parents Jayden Jellyman and Emma Mason as they celebrate Arya Jellyman-Mason's first birthday. Photo Warren Buckland
One year on from the dramatic birth of their daughter on the night of the Napier flood, a Pirimai couple are again expecting and hoping the sun shines a bit more this time.
As partner Jayden Jellyman waded waist-deep through floodwaters to make his way home on the evening ofNovember 9, first-time mum Emma Mason's contractions became more apparent and she realised she was in labour.
Deciding to evacuate, they made it to Mason's parents' home in Taradale at about 8pm before calling on a Civil Defence team to deliver them safely to Hawke's Bay Hospital.
About 12.49am on November 10, they welcomed their baby girl, Arya Jellyman-Mason, weighing 3.22kg and about a week earlier than expected.
One year from her dramatic birth the night of the Napier flood Arya Jellyman-Mason is doing well and mum Emma Mason is expecting again. Photo / Warren Buckland
One year on, Arya is doing "really well", she added.
"She was able to take a few steps about a month back, and now she's walking around the house already."
The couple were lucky their home escaped the floods without damage.
A car Jellyman had been forced to abandon in the floodwaters before braving the final kilometre home on foot was written off but thankfully they were covered by insurance.
"It wasn't easy but I don't think anyone finds it that way," Mason said of their first few weeks of parenthood.
At 18 weeks pregnant, they're currently expecting again.
"We are just hoping there are no floods or anything this time around," she said.
Mason said Arya was "full of energy" and loves "getting into trouble", much like the TV counterpart from Games of Thrones after whom Arya was named.
Despite a dramatic birth on the night of the flood, she seemed to have no fear of being around water either.
"She's a bit nervous around people, but with everything else in life she's really fearless."
The couple plan to celebrate her first birthday with family at home in Pirimai.
