When Offspring star Ido Drent married his sweetheart Mandy back in 2011, the theme of their wedding was story writing. They’d always imagined what sort of future they would create together and desperately hoped it would include children.
Now, as they introduce their adorable new baby daughter Elliotte – a sister for 21-month-old Bastion, known as Baz – the couple say their story is turning out better than they ever could have dreamed of. “Having babies puts everything else into perspective,” says Ido, as his little girl snuggles into his chest. “Sometimes I look around and I just can’t believe how lucky we are. It’s like a dream.”
Baby Elliotte arrived on November 8 last year, and Ido and Mandy, both 29, say they’ve been happily surprised by how easily they’ve adjusted to life as a family of four. Their first-born Baz was no walk in the park, so Mandy is the first to admit she was terrified about how she would manage with another non-sleeper.
“I found being pregnant with a toddler incredibly tough, especially because Ido was away a lot with work,” Mandy admits. “I’ve never been so tired in my life and I remember thinking, ‘How on earth am I going to cope when the baby comes?!’ We used to have to rock Baz for hours to get him to sleep and he still wakes a few times a night, so I expected we’d get the same again.”
Thankfully, Elliotte seems to have inherited none of her brother’s night-owl tendencies and regularly sleeps through the night. And throughout our Woman’s Day visit, the gorgeous strawberry-blonde bundle spends most of her time snoozing on Mum or Dad.
“I thought babies like this were like unicorns,” laughs Mandy. “I thought they only happened to other people. But she’s a dream child.”
Following an uneventful pregnancy, Mandy’s obstetrician decided to bring on the labour several weeks before the November 20 due date, when scans showed the baby had a large head. After a “stretch and sweep” procedure, Mandy, Ido, Baz and their mums opted to go for dinner to a local burger restaurant. However, it quickly became clear that full-time mother Mandy was in no state for a night out.
“I remember trying to talk to my mum, but rushing off to the bathroom where I just leaned over the sink rocking my hips back and forwards. I was having contractions and they were becoming pretty regular, so I said to Ido, ‘We’ve got to get out of here.’”
The group dashed home, where things quickly intensified, and Mandy and Ido headed to Auckland Hospital around 9.30pm. After a few hours in the birthing pool, Mandy was delighted to hear she was nearly ready to push. But things didn’t go to plan.
“I was pushing and pushing, and it just wasn’t making any progress,” tells Mandy. “The baby was in an awkward position and I could see by the looks on everyone’s faces in the room that things weren’t going well. The mood in the room changed.”
Despite being fully dilated, an exhausted Mandy finally asked for an epidural and the doctor was able to turn the baby’s head in order for her to be born. Hearing little Elliotte cry for the first time was an unforgettable moment.
“Mandy pulled her up on to her chest and she let out this huge scream, it was the cutest thing,” recalls Ido. “She had these puffy lips and I just felt so excited to finally meet her.”
And Ido says that once again, he was amazed by his wife’s bravery. “I see another side to Mandy when she’s having our babies. She’s like a lioness – it’s phenomenal.”
The loved-up couple, who are devoted Christians, can’t hide their pride at how well little Baz has taken to brotherhood. Despite their fears about the upheaval of
a new baby, their boisterous blondie has taken it in his stride.
“He calls her ‘sis’ and is always wanting ‘more tuddles’,” tells Ido. “He loves her to bits and just wants to be near her all the time, but he doesn’t quite understand the concept of ‘gentle’ yet. His cuddles can be quite extreme!”
Currently between acting work, Ido has lapped up every minute of being at home with his clan – as well as relishing the chance to help build the family’s new home, which they’re writing a blog about. “I’ve been on the tools – it’s awesome!” Ido smiles.
But this week, they’re packing up and heading to LA for a month of auditions, where Ido will also celebrate his 30th birthday. As well as a road trip to San Diego, he’s planning a party to raise $30,000 for Tearfund’s fight against human trafficking.
Ido tells, “Turning 30 feels empowering. I’m in a good place. I’ve got a great marriage, two amazing kids and I love the fact I’m an adult and in charge of my life. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I’m loving every second of it.”
And Ido, who’s had virtually back-to-back roles since his 2009 debut as Daniel Potts on Shortland Street, is relaxed about what acting work might come his way in 2017. “I still love it, but if the career falls over one day, it’s not the end of the world. I’ve got all I need right here at home.”
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