Little Steps. Beautiful Beginnings

22/05/2026

I wonder who’s going to be the first to guess which TWO DVDs Coleman managed to score today… 👀🎬

Clue: it has absolutely nothing to do with his newly acquired op shop T-shirt or soundtrack obsession… 😅

After his clinic appointment in Whangārei, we squeezed in a very well-deserved op shop stop - and honestly, how often do you walk in and find the exact things sitting right at the top of your wish list?

Epic. ✨

Wishing you all a wildly blessed and joy-filled weekend.

20/05/2026

With every conscious breath, invite the golden hues of change, the fiery reds of transformation, and the earthy browns of grounding into your being.

As the leaves surrender with grace, so too can you release what no longer serves your highest self.

Inhale renewal. Exhale resistance.

Let the wisdom of nature remind you that transformation is not an ending, but a beautiful return to your true essence.

19/05/2026

Smile of the Day - Coleman made a surprise appearance at tonight’s Stroke Review and, as always, brought joy to us all.

No matter whether I am leading an instructor training, a refresher day, or a Stroke Review, Coleman loves to pop in and say hello to the ladies. He has become a treasured part of our IAIM whānau.

What delights me most is how deeply he remembers.

As soon as he hears our familiar songs, he joins in with confidence. He finishes the words, “I love… YOU,” sings along to “Tommy Thumb” as we massage each tiny finger, and when we begin the Moonwalk across baby’s tummy, Coleman is there in an instant with his best Michael Jackson moves.

This is the beauty of mirroring and repetition. These loving experiences become imprinted in the body and the heart. Long after the massage itself, the memories remain.

Coleman was massaged as a baby, and even now those songs and movements awaken something familiar and comforting within him.

And, of course, his presence lights up every room and brings a smile to every face.

Gotta love this beautiful young man. 💛

19/05/2026

🌟 Life is busy, but there is always time to celebrate something this meaningful.

Congratulations to our newest Certified Infant Massage Instructor. 💛👶

What an incredible achievement.

You trusted the process.You invested in yourself. You completed your training. You delivered your very own five-week infant massage programme. And now you are ready to support families in your community.

Your work is about so much more than massage.

It is about helping parents slow down, tune in, and build a loving connection with their baby through nurturing touch.

The ripple effect of this work will be felt for generations.

Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and belief in the power of connection.

Arohanui, P-J 🌻

17/05/2026

What a weekend - a beautiful reminder that sharing is caring 🌱🌻🎶

At the recent Fat Freddy’s Drop 21st Anniversary concert at Auckland Town Hall, Coleman generously lent his Michael Jackson glove to a new friend, Lizzy, who moved out from the UK 7 years back.

The concert was a little overwhelming at first, so we found a quiet space at the back where he could ground himself. He sat on the steps, taking it all in from a place where he felt safe. In his own time, he stood up, joined in, met several young people, and shared a few Michael Jackson-style dance moves. 🕺✨

It was a special night out with his siblings - a xmas gift from 2025 that turned into a memory we will treasure forever.

Why am I sharing this?

Because sometimes we need to be reminded that our children are children first, before any diagnosis.

When Coleman was born, we were told not to get our hopes up. But I trusted my mother’s intuition and never gave up on him.

Today, he is enjoying road trips, concerts, walks, friendships, and life’s adventures.

I share this for any parent who may be facing uncertainty right now.

Trust your heart.
Believe in your child.
Take one step at a time.

It may not happen in the timing we expect, but with love, patience, and perseverance, we get there…

And when we do, every step is worth it. 🌱❤️

15/05/2026

💗 Coleman’s Thoughts on Pink Shirt Day 💗

Today Coleman wore one of my old Ed Sheeran concert T-shirts.

Ed Sheeran has shared how he was teased as a child for his red hair, glasses, and stutter.

When I asked Coleman what bullying means, he said “Sad and angry…Don’t be like the Hulk.”

The Hulk is not really a bully. He is a character with very big feelings who can smash things when he gets overwhelmed.

Sometimes Coleman feels like that too.

When emotions become too big, it can be hard to think clearly. The important part is learning to keep our hands to ourselves, use our words, and repair when things go wrong.

When I asked how can we spread kindness, Coleman shares: “Don’t be mean or rude.”, “look after one another”, “be helpful” and “don’t be like a “jerk or a joker”…”use kind words to yourself and others”…”be like a hero, for me that’s Spider-Man”…and from myself …“what would love do in this situation?”

He is learning, just like all of us, that having big feelings is okay. What matters is how we choose to respond.

🌱 Big feelings are normal. Kindness is a choice.

What helps your child move from “Hulk mode” back to calm and connection?

14/05/2026

I found this treasured photo of Woodrow, Coleman, and I, taken many years ago. Stella and Indi were nearby too - in fact, I can just see Stella’s little legs in the background, wearing those tights I remember so well.

On the floor in front of us is a card that reads, “Our family can make a difference.”

Looking at this image now, my heart is drawn to Coleman, carefully holding the pencils, focused and regulated in the moment, while Woodrow is deeply engaged and eager to contribute. There is so much life, love, and hope captured in this single photograph.

Why am I sharing this?

Because the message still feels true today.

Together, in relationship, we can make a difference.

We are not meant to carry life on our own. Whether you are parenting, grieving, healing, or simply trying to make it through the day, connection matters. Healing happens in relationship, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength.

This photo is also a tender reminder of my son, who is no longer here physically, yet whose life continues to inspire me to support others with compassion and love.

At Little Steps Beautiful Beginnings, this is the heart of what I do: walking alongside others, nurturing connection, and trusting that even the smallest steps in relationship can create meaningful change.

🌱 Together, we can make a difference.💛 You do not have to do this alone.✨ Every small act of love matters.

11/05/2026

Today we welcomed parents and their precious pēpi into our first Parent & Pēpi infant massage session while students observed the IAIM approach in action.

This is where the training truly comes alive.

Infant massage is much more than learning a series of strokes. It is a nurturing, baby-led practice that helps strengthen safety, trust, and emotional connection between parent and baby.

When parents slow down, tune in, and respond to their baby’s cues, they are helping to shape the developing brain and nervous system. These early experiences lay the foundation for secure attachment, resilience, emotional regulation, and healthy lifelong relationships.

Parents learn so much more than massage techniques. They gain a deeper understanding of:

✨ Reading their baby’s cues and behavioural states✨ Setting up for success✨ Building confidence as a parent✨ Supporting regulation and wellbeing✨ Using positive nurturing touch, eye contact, and their voice to connect

Not every baby is ready for touch straight away, and that is perfectly okay. The IAIM approach honours each baby’s unique needs and teaches parents how to follow their baby’s lead.

This is where the magic unfolds - in the quiet moments of connection, communication, and loving touch.

Next week, it will be our students’ turn to guide the session and begin sharing this beautiful work with families in their own communities. 💛

10/05/2026

Thankful for the bus service

Have a crazy blessed Monday day 🌱🌻 and great week ahead

09/05/2026

Today, we hold in prayer every mother and every woman whose heart has loved a child.

Those who cradle their babies.
Those who mourn their babies.
Those who wait with hope.
Those who carry both joy and sorrow.

Love is never lost.
Every act of care, every tear, every prayer is known.

The world is changed by the quiet, faithful love of mothers.

May you feel surrounded by grace and held in love this Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day 🌱🌻

08/05/2026

❤️

Dargaville, treasures to support the pregnant mum