Maxine Stokes' face lights up in pure joy as she gazes lovingly at beautiful little Zena Stokes Smith, who arrived just five days earlier, complete with a luscious head of dark hair and curious blue eyes.
"I was only in labour for one hour - eight big pushes. And it was a posterior birth!" she laughs.
NO LOOKING BACK
Max, 34, and her husband Karstan Smith, 36, are the teen sweethearts from Newcastle who got married on The Block: Glasshouse in front of other contestants Michael and Carlene Duffy, Chris and Jenna Susetio, Shannon and Simon Vos and Darren and Deanne Jolly.
But their time on what became known as one of the most controversial seasons of The Block, and their disappointment at taking home just $40,000, fades in comparison to their extraordinary adventures in the nine years since.
FRESH START
Esta historia es de la edición October 2, 2023 de Woman's Day Australia.
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Esta historia es de la edición October 2, 2023 de Woman's Day Australia.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
I SWAPPED RETIREMENT FORT NURSING!
Neysa is embracing adventure and a career change at 70
THE BLOCK - AUCTIONS TAKE TWO!
Just six months after it sold for an eye-watering $4.3 million at The Block auction in November, Eliza and Liberty Paschke's Hampton East home went under the hammer once again.
THE SPICIEST 50TH EVER!
It cost a whopping $480,000 but it was worth every penny!
A HOWLING SUCCESS!
The first memorial statue to the Queen is unveiled — and it's pawsitively adorable!
PRISCILLA CONFRONTED BY ELVIS' LOVE CHILD
Elvis' alleged love child Deborah Presley Brando had Priscilla Presley all shook up ahead of a book signing she was due to attend in May.
JAMES & SARAH - WHY THEY REALLY HID THEIR DIVORCE
After months of rumours, the actress has bravely told the truth
HENRY IS OUR MIRACLE BABY
In an Australian first, Kirsty birthed her son, thanks to her own mum's donated uterus
JEN GARNER FINALLY TELLS MY SIDE OF THE STORY!
The actress breaks her silence at last on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck
MEGHAN WARNS HARRY - ARCHIE'S NEVER SETTING FOOT IN LONDON
Despite her husband's pleas, the duchess is determined to celebrate their son's birthday in the US
FURIOUS EXES.A WALKOUT & WEDDING!
Things have gone from bad to worse for Farmer Joe as his true intentions are called into question