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League legend Awen Guttenbeil’s birthday joy

For devoted wife and mum Natasha Guttenbeil, buying birthday presents and surprising her sportsman husband Awen has always been  a daunting task.

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But when she discovered she was pregnant with their second baby on Awen’s 34th birthday, Natasha knew the wonderful news would be the perfect gift.

“Natasha came into the room and said, ‘I’ve got a present for you’. I was expecting socks or golf balls,” Awen smiles. But instead, Natasha (34) gave him a  box with her positive pregnancy test inside.

As he opened the box and saw the stick, puzzled Awen wondered what it was. “She had given me an electric toothbrush beforehand and when I saw the stick  I thought it was some flash accessory for  the toothbrush!” Awen says, cracking up.

When he realised what he was holding  – and it meant baby number two was on the way – he couldn’t hide his excitement.

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“The look on his face was priceless,” explains Natasha. “I had finally given him  a birthday surprise that blew him out of  the water. It was an awesome moment.”

When the couple, who married nine years ago, first got pregnant with five-year-old Mila, Awen was in the midst of a busy professional league career – with 11 years playing for the Warriors and two years playing in the UK.During this time Awen clocked up some “impressive” injuries to his body, which concerned the devoted husband and father.

“I retired two years ago, and part of  that reason was because of all the injuries.  I wanted to have enough energy to run around with the kids and enjoy being a dad.”

News of another baby made Awen realise his sacrifice was worth it, and when they discovered they’re expecting a boy, Awen saw it as a wonderful “reward”.

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Awen, co-host of Maori Television’s sports show Code and sports commentator for Sky TV, is looking forward to being at home more to support Natasha this time around.

“Natasha has been an amazing mum to Mila. When Mila was a baby I was travelling  a lot playing league. This time I plan to take up some of the slack,” he says.

For Natasha, being pregnant is a special time, especially after losing her mother Sue to breast cancer eight years ago.

“I feel sad my mum’s not here. I do miss her love and support, but I actually feel closer to her when I’m pregnant,” Natasha says, while holding Awen’s hand for support.

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“She was once like I am now. She carried me and that’s an amazing connection. I can relate to her, even though she’s not here.”

Natasha, who had a stint as a TV presenter for Maori Television and now works as a fashion stylist, recently met Sensing ourder psychic Kelvin Cruickshank on a photo shoot. She was moved to tears when Kelvin told her that her mother was there with them. on the spot he began to communicate with her mother’s spirit.

“He gave me the opportunity to speak with my mum and it happened just before I got pregnant. It was an amazing experience,” says Natasha, who is due in November.

“He went to tell me something then suddenly stopped himself. I had this feeling that maybe they knew I was pregnant, but kept it to themselves.”

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Mila is extremely excited about becoming a big sister. When it comes  to the family’s new addition, she has an equal part in the decision making, right down to choosing her brother’s name.

“Sometimes we come up with a name we like and we’ll run it past Mila. If she screws up her face, we know it’s back  to the drawing board,” Natasha laughs.

once the news became official, it was Mila’s job to tell family and friends including the two “Staceys” in the couple’s life – Natasha’s sister and media star, Stacey oorrison, and Awen’s best mate, league legend Stacey Jones. In fact, it was at his  wedding that the couple first met.

Natasha says her husband will make a perfect father to their son. “He’s really fair with Mila. He doesn’t impose things on her because she’s a girl and I expect he’ll be the same with his son. I don’t see him as the kind of father who will have different standards just because he’s a boy.”

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Listening intently to his wife, Awen agrees, and speaks with a huge smile about becoming a dad again.”I can’t wait to meet him. I’m going to treasure every moment from when he’s a baby, to him growing up. Every moment is precious and  goes by very quickly.

“I’m excited about seeing how unique our son will be and I know he will make our family richer and closer in every way.”

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