Jane and Heidi Ferguson at Alex Perry fashion show

Jane Ferguson and her daughter, Heidi, attended the Alex Perry fashion show on Day One of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007/08, in Sydney today.

Source: Patrick Riviere/Getty Images

Sophia Bana prefers Eric with “spikes”

Actor, Eric Bana recently commented on how his daughter, Sophia, 5 prefers him to be unshaven

“I hate being clean-shaven. My daughter gets very upset if I shave and says, ‘Bring back the spikes, Dad.’”

Eric and his wife, Rebecca also have a son, Klaus, 7.

Source: People Magazine via CBB

New mother Tiffani Wood at MTV Awards

Singer and new mother, Tiffani Wood attended the MTV Video Music Awards in Sydney, last night. I think she looks fantastic, considering she gave birth to her first child, Lily Adele, two weeks ago! Tiffani’s husband, Neil Cummins did not accompany her as he was probably at home with baby Lily.

Source: Wire Image, with permission

Russell Crowe, Danielle Spencer & Charles at NRL match

Actor Russell Crowe, who is part owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs went to the round seven NRL match between the Rabbitohs and the Warriors at Telstra Stadium, yesterday with his wife Danielle Spencer and their son, Charles, 3. The couple also have another son, Tennyson, 8 months (who’s probably a bit young to go!)

Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

David Hobson and family at home

Australian tenor, David Hobson, showed Australian Women’s Weekly around his home, which he shares with his wife Amber Hobson and their two children; Madi, 8 and Sam, 6, who he describes as “gorgeous”. David is also full of admiration for Amber; “[She's] a fantastic woman and an extraordinary mother.”

David, Amber, Madi and Sam have regular sing-along’s by the piano

Source: Australian Women’s Weekly, May issue, 220-3

Channel Seven launches parenting show: Mums & Bubs

Australian TV network, Channel 7 is launching a new day-time chat show called Mums & Bubs, hosted by Rachel Friend, wife of Australian cricketer, Stuart MacGill and mother to two children; Alex and Penny. Mums & Bubs is parenting show in a

“Casual lounge room setting [where] parents chat honestly about themselves, their children, difficult issues they have faced and the many ups and downs of parenting.”

Mums & Bubs will have many Australian celebrity parents as guests to provide their insights on parenthood including:
Katrina Warren – expecting her first child in August
Alyssa-Jane Cook – expecting her third child in May
Chantelle Newberry – former Olympic diver and mum to Jet and Ryder
Lochie Daddo – father to Daisy
and many more…

Issues covered by the team include:
What it means to be a mum?
Relationships, is it the end of yours?
Toilet Training, when, how and much more!
Communication and Discipline
Sleeping and Feeding
Your health, including the things no one told you!
Food and Nutrition
Post Natal depression
Entertaining the kids
Kids and Pets
What about dad?

Mums & Bubs will air Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at 9.30 am on Channel 7. Tune in – it should make for interesting and informative viewing.

Source: Mums & Bubs

What’s in a Name? CHARLES

What’s in a Name? is a feature article written weekly, where an Aussie Celebrity Bub name will be analysed; providing you with information on the meaning, origin and trends of the name, along with a list of other famous bubs and celebrities with the same name.

Name: CHARLES
Belongs to: Charles Spencer Crowe, 3 year-old son of actor, Russell Crowe and his wife, Danielle Spencer

Gender: Male
Pronunciation: Charlz
Origin: Old German
Meaning: man / serf
Variant forms of Charles: Chad, Charleson, Charley, Charlie, Charlot, Charls, Charlton, Charly, Chas, Chaz, Chick, Chip, Chuck.
Background:

“The first Holy Roman Emperor (seventh to eighth century) Charlemagne (Latin Carolus Magnus, meaning “Charles the Great”) was a powerful Germanic leader who created a more ordered society out of the chaos that followed the fall of Rome. His widespread fame gave rise to many forms of his name. Charles is the French variant of Carolus or Karolus, adopted by the English especially since the 17th-century reigns of kings Charles I and II. Charles and its variant forms have been favoured by the royalty of several countries, including the present Prince of Wales. Charlie and Charly are occasionally used for girls. See also Arlo. Naturalist Charles Darwin; French president Charles de Gaulle; author Charles Dickens; actor Charlie Chaplin; basketball player Charles Barkley.”

Thinkbabynames.com writes that Charles is a very popular male first name and a very popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy’s name Charles.

Charles’ popularity in various countries.

Other famous bubs with the name CHARLES include:

CHARLES O’Donnell, 3 1/2, son of Grey’s Anatomy star Chris O’Donnell and his wife Caroline.

CHARLES Robison, 4, son of American Dixie Chicks singer, Emily Robison and her husband Charlie Robison

CHARLES Foster, 8, son of American actress Jodie Foster

CHARLES Hall, 9, son of American actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfield) and her husband Ben Hall

Source: Think Baby Names
Photo Credit: CBB

Olivia Newton-John and Chloe discuss her anorexia battle

Olivia Newton-John and her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, 21 appeared on a US TV show for an interview and discussed the continuing accusations that Chloe is still suffering from anorexia. Here are the highlights;

Chloe on her struggle with anorexia

“For two years of my life, I was going through it and I have come out of it now. I felt like I had hit rock bottom but I am through that darkness now. I want to tell everyone that I am happy and healthy.”

Olivia admits she was in denial about her daughter’s illness

“There was a time I was in denial about it, I have to admit it, because you don’t want to think anything is wrong, you can’t make your child eat if she doesn’t want to. I was frightened and anxious and nervous for her.”

When people told her she looked extremely thin and thought she looked anorexic, Chloe was surprised

“No matter what I say, people are always going to have their own opinion, I don’t want to be Olivia’s daughter who is, like, sick. It is so very painful to talk about.”

Olivia and her ex-husband Matt Lattanzi worked together to help their daughter

“Her dad and I talked about it, it was a very difficult time. I am so proud of her having the strength to talk about it.”

Source: The Advertiser, April 28 2007, pg 13.

Denmark’s little princess to be christened on July 1

Prince Frederik and Princess Mary’s little girl, who was born on April 21, will be christened on July 1 2007, at Fredensborg Palace Church at 11.30 am, where her name will be announced for the first time. Her godparents will be present and official photographs will be taken. Per Thornit, Chief of Court for the Crown Prince Couple announced the news yesterday, with a press release posted on their website. Frederik and Mary also have a son, Prince Christian, 18 months.

Maddie’s Note: Considering Mary was born in Australia I have decided to post stories about them!

Source: The Princely Couple’s Official Website

McGrath family countdown for Glenn’s return home

Jane McGrath, wife of retiring Australian cricketer, Glenn McGrath and their two children, James, 7 and Holly, 5 are excitedly waiting for Glenn’s return from the Caribbean next week. Glenn will play in the World Cup Final tonight, which will be his last international cricket match, before he retires.

Jane cannot wait to have Glenn home

“We speak on the phone twice a day and I can’t wait to have him back, Holly’s a real Daddy’s girl and she’s been saying, `When is he home? When does the World Cup finish?’ She started asking when there was still seven weeks to go.”

James who has recently taken up cricket, can receive some tips from Glenn when he returns

“James started playing cricket last season – he just decided that’s what he wanted to do and he loves it. Glenn hasn’t been able to give him much coaching, so it will be great to have him home – he can go along and help him out.”

Jane and the kids love watching Glenn play and will be watching tonight

“I wouldn’t normally stay up and watch the game but I thought I’d better because I’m not going to see him playing any more. I was at the final Test in Sydney, which was awesome, and I thought I probably should have gone out there but I couldn’t have taken the children and it’s such a long way. Certainly we’re watching it though. I’m just so proud of him. I love watching him play.”

The children have also pinned posters to their bedroom walls and Holly, has saved some of her Easter eggs, arranging them around a picture of the Australian team, which she plans to present to her father on his return. (How cute!!)

Source: The Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun

Kerry Lucas reveals her pain at losing her son last year

Former model, Kerry Lucas and her husband Wesley Legrand went through every parents worst nightmare, on December 15 last year, when their son, Leonardo Legrand, aged 6 months tragically died after his stroller he was riding in, rolled down the embankment of the Torrens River in South Australia. Kerry has only now spoken about the horror death of her son, and her continuing grieving process.

The incident happened when;

“Kerry pointed out ducklings along the river bank to little Leo as she pushed him along at a brisk jog on December 15 last year. Moments later, a mobile call interrupted her run. She turned to scribble a phone number down on her leg, as she had no paper. As she did this, the pram slipped unnoticed towards the river with the slumbering infant strapped firmly inside.”

As Kerry had been distracted, she did not notice that the pram had rolled into the river. After realising that the pram was missing she believed her son may have been kidnapped, running to a near by road she hysterically asked motorists if they had seen her baby. After 25 minutes, Leo’s pram surfaced in the water, where he was revived at the scene, but later died in hospital.

“To bury your own child is the worst suffering that could ever happen to any parent. After losing Leo, I felt so empty there were days when I felt like a ghost in my own life.”

Leo was such a wonderful baby

“My baby was beautiful, the happiest, most contented baby, and his papa adored him.”

Kerry describes Leo’s death as numbing

“In hospital, Leonardo looked so tiny and helpless, but doctors said the machines were keeping him alive…and we had to let him go. It was numbing – I felt empty and breathless. I couldn’t speak, sleep or eat – I just lay in bed looking at the empty cot beside me where a little head greeted me every day with a smile.”

After Leo’s death, Kerry tortured herself with accusing questions

“Why hadn’t I put the brake on; why didn’t I look in the river sooner – the guilt was overwhelming…I just wanted to be dead to escape the pain.”

Wes stayed strong for the both of them after Leo’s funeral

“Wes was wonderful but I felt so unworthy of his love..so desolate. I didn’t feel I deserved him at all”

Kerry is still grieving but the first months were the most painful

“I cried so much for the first two months, I felt so dehydrated. Each time I saw a pram like Leo’s I felt paralysed, wondering if i’ll ever be able to push a pram again.”

Wes and Kerry have established the Leonardo Appeal, where the funds go towards Seven’s Children Research Foundation which funds studies into issues affecting children’s health and welfare and will help save other children’s lives.

“There’s no timetable for grief…it can take weeks, months or years – but I have a special place in my heart I know will never heal. So many people mustn’t be afraid to speak Leo’s name – he was such a happy baby – and his smiles will remain with us for life.”

If you would like to donate to the Leonardo Appeal you can call – (if outside Australia +61) 08 8243 8259.

Source: Woman’s Day, April 30 2007, pg 32-4.

Lleyton & Bec Hewitt share some insights about Mia

Tennis player, Lleyton Hewitt and his actress wife, Bec Hewitt recently talked about their daughter Mia, 17 months in Woman’s Day, and posed for some photos (although I am pretty sure these pictures were taken in an earlier photo shoot, but Woman’s Day are only printing them now to accompany the article!)

Lleyton discussed how his family is more important than tennis

“My family is my number one priority, we love being a family, and Bec and Mia have put my tennis and my life in perspective.”

Bec gushed over her “gorgeous” daughter

“Lleyton is very much a hands on dad, he’s great with Mia. Lleyton just loves spending time with his little girl. We have been blessed with a gorgeous , happy, contented daughter who thrives on the love of her parents and family.”

Source: Woman’s Day, April 30 2007, pg 10-1.

Kevin Rudd is influenced by the women in his family

Labor Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd discussed his family in this week’s Woman’s Day magazine. Kevin is married to, Therese Rein and they have three children, Jessica, 23, Nicholas, 20 and Marcus, 13 (not pictured.)

Kevin is influenced by the women in his life

“I have three strong women in my life: my mother, my wife and my daughter. My mother’s no longer with us, but I love them all….my daughter just been admitted as a solicitor – she’s a person I would not dare cross!”

Kevin does not direct any of Jess’ decisions including her career and recent engagement

“Directing my daughter Jess to do anything is a recipe for death! Jessica decides what she wans to do. It’s like her decision to marry. She knows how to make up her own mind. She loves the guy; she’s going to get married.”

Kevin also has to schedule family time

“Yes, very much so, otherwise you can end up on the road for weeks and not get home. I’ve got a little boy of 13, who is in his second year at high school, Nicholas is 20 and in his third year of university and Jess is off to get married.”

Source: Woman’s Day, April 30 2007, pg 21-2.

Kellie Hayden’s waiting game

Kellie Hayden, the wife of Australian cricketer, Matthew Hayden is expecting her third child next week and is nervously awaiting Matthew’s return from Barbados, where he is playing in the World Cup Cricket final against Sri Lanka tomorrow night. Matthew and Kellie have two children, Grace, 5 and Joshua, 2, who Kellie posed with yesterday and discussed her birth preparation and anxiousness surrounding Matthew’s return to their Queensland home.

Kellie won’t be watching all of the match tomorrow night and is resting up before her third child makes their arrival

“I’ve been told by my doctor to take it easy and rest. It won’t be an all-nighter for the final in my house. I could go in to labour that night. I’ll be trying to see some of the cricket but you have to prioritise sleep sometimes. It’s a hard one because the mind is a powerful thing.”

Kellie is also remaining positive that Matthew will be home in time

“I am just really focusing on getting Matty back home. I’ve been a little bit on edge.”

Matthew was present for the birth of Grace and Joshua, so he is trying to get an earlier flight back from the Caribbean, ahead of his teammates arrival next Thursday to ensure he doesn’t miss the birth.

Source: The Advertiser, April 27 2007, pg 3 and The Daily Telegraph

Footy player Darryl Wakelin talks fatherhood

Port Adelaide AFL player, Darryl Wakelin, who is playing his 250th game over the weekend, is expecting his second child with his wife, Karmen next week. Darryl and his daughter, Amelie, 17 months posed for this cute photo, yesterday and discussed his family and their impending arrival.

Darryl, may have to delay his milestone match, if the new bub arrives ahead of schedule, as Amelie was 10 days early

“So I’m on edge a bit, hopefully things will go to plan but if they don’t, well, I may have to miss [the game].”

Family is very important to Darryl

“I want to spend as much time with the family as possible. Football can be quite a selfish game and being a father is the best thing I’ve done and I want to be the best father I can be”

Source: The Advertiser