For Warren Tredrea family comes first

Port Adelaide Power AFL Captain, Warren Tredrea has told the club that he’s not going to miss the birth of his first child, who was due yesterday. If his wife, Rachael, is in labour on Saturday he will be at her side – not at AAMI Stadium.

“Hopefully I won’t have a decision to make but if it (the baby) lands on the day (Saturday), I’ll be beside my wife. We run around a footy field and think it’s tough but what I’m thinking is that she’s going to need all the help she can get in there (hospital).”

The club has organised standby players in case Rachael goes into labour on Saturday, football operations manager Peter Rohde said:

“It’s not ideal but there have been precedents before and we fully respect Warren’s wishes on this. It is his first child, he wants to be there and we will not influence or interfere at all with the decision, which is personal and one we fully understand.”

Source: The Advertiser

David Koch named Aussie Father of The Year

Sunrise co-host, David Koch was named Australian Father of The Year by the Australian Father’s Day Council at a ceremony at NSW Parliament house today. David who is dad to Samantha, 27, Brianna, 24, Alexander ‘AJ’, 21 and Georgie, 18 and will be a grandfather next month when Samantha gives birth to her first child was shocked with the announcement:

“I’m absolutely stunned with the news. When I first discovered I had been nominated, I was hesitant – after all, I don’t consider myself a perfect father. But when the Father’s Day Council explained that they were looking for someone who was just a normal bloke, but proud of being a dad, I thought ‘that’s me’ and I’m delighted to have a role in promoting fatherhood in Australia.”

(l-r) David, Georgie, Libby, Samantha (with husband Toby Brown), Brianna (with partner Charitha Jayasingah) and AJ on New Year’s Eve 06/07

David has been married to Libby for more than 25 years is a proud dad:

“I love being a dad. Someone once said to me ‘enjoy your kids when you’re young because they only get worse!. How wrong they were. I have as much fun with my kids now that they’re adults as I did when they were little. I appreciate their sense of humour, the way they think and how they approach different issues.”

Australian Father’s Day Council chairman Maurice Newman said David was an easy choice for the award:

“David is a great dad who has managed to fit in the demands of a hectic career while still finding the time to coach his kids’ rugby and netball teams and spend quality time with his family.”

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Rachael Sporn on how her children changed her competition style

Aussie basketballer, Rachael Sporn has spoken about how childbirth was her ’secret weapon’ for competiton — similar to athletics champion Jana Pittman who returned to the track soon after her son’s birth — Rachael was back on the court four weeks after giving birth to Teja, now 5:

“Athens Olympics 2004 was my last chance to compete on an international level and I was very determined to make the team [so] I kept up a training regime throughout pregnancy, even though it varied to my usual schedule … but that made it easier to bounce back after having Teja. I was training within four weeks, and competing again after seven. I was lucky I had two years to prepare for the Olympics.”

Rachael who also has son Kade, 14 months, said childbirth gave her a lot of strength not only physically but mentally too:

“It changes your priorities but not your dreams. I just had to ultra-organise once I had Teja to work out babysitting schedules.”

When Rachael was competing in the Olympics, Teja was looked after by Rachael’s mum and her husband Maurie Ranger’s parents:

“There were certainly a lot of sacrifices made … it was tough being away from her for five weeks while I was at the Games.”

Source: The Advertiser, August 31 2007, pg 99.

Naomi Watts and her boys at LAX airport

UPDATE: Three more images added!

Aussie actress, Naomi Watts, her fiancee Liev Schreiber and their son Alexander, 5 weeks, were spotted boarding a flight at Los Angeles airport on Tuesday August 28. It is unknown where the family were flying to.

Source: Pariah @ Celebutopia and Celebs and Bubs and Jezebel

Click KEEP READING for three more images!

Haley Rich-Bracken on life as a pregnant sport star wife

Haley Rich-Bracken, wife of Aussie cricketer Nathan Bracken spoke to Sunday Life Magazine about what life is like being a pregnant wife of a sport star who can spend up to 300 days of the year away from home. Haley is expecting her first child on October 27, which is five days after Nathan and the rest of the Aussie team arrive home from India, Haley hopes the birth stays on schedule:

“Hopefully, everything happens on time. I hate to admit it but I’m really selfish with that, if the baby is coming, I will call you and expect you to be home, particularly being the first baby. I couldn’t stand for the baby to think it came second to cricket. Family is always going to be there; at the end of the day, [cricket] is a job.”

However, Haley understands that as much as Nathan wants to be present for the birth it may not be possible due to tour commitments:

“At the back of my mind, I know that if he has to come home from a game or a tour, that affects him more than it would another job. I do feel guilty, that it’s going to affect what happens [with his cricket career].”

Haley’s pregnancy didn’t start off in the best way as she was sick throughout her time in the Caribbean for the World Cup:

“I was suffering from morning sickness. I’m not much of a traveller anyway.”

When Nathan is overseas Haley has a back-up partner!

“We have a Great Dane, Diesel. He makes me feel safe when I’m at home without Nathan, because he’s almost as big as Nathan.”

Source: Sunday Life Magazine, August 26 2007, pg 14-15.

Camilla Severi: Move Over … I gotta wee!

Breakfast radio co-host, Camilla Severi has written her recent pregnancy diary entry on the uncomfortable side-effect of pregnancy — the constant urge to go to the bathroom! Camilla is expecting her first child in November with partner Glen Krohn.

“When you’re pregnant, all of a sudden there seems to be a sense of urgency about a lot of things. When you need to eat… YOU HAVE TO EAT. When you want a sleep… YOU HAVE TO SLEEP. And in true form, when you need to go… YOU GOTTA GO! Okay, I might be exaggerating just a little but I swear I could fall asleep on a pile of rocks when I’m tired.

Anyway, on the urgency thing, I thought that my bladder was meant to calm down after the first trimester. What’s with that?? You’ve barely reconciled the fact that you’re pregnant, and you’re already getting up 5 times a night for a wee. And they say you get sleep deprived when the baby comes? I say it’s the whole way through! Anyway, I thought all this was settling down. I’ve had a good second trimester. I’ve got a bit of energy back. I’m sleeping better. I haven’t had so many weird cravings (keep those dried apricots away from me!!!). But there’s a new inconvenience.

The other day Glen and I were taking a drive to his favorite spot at the sea. I hadn’t been there before so we decided to pack a lunch, pick up some strawberries on the way and sit on the beach for a couple of hours. Well we did our usual packing: sunglasses, sunscreen, and towels. All check. And of course the pregnancy kitty for the road: Bottle of water, energy snack, and lots of apples (that’s been my staple craving the whole way through). All double check. We were set. On the road again. Nearly and hour into the trip, I sorta need to go to the toilet… come 5 minutes later, in true pregnancy form, I’m BUSTING for the ladies. Now, I have no idea where we were. Glen does a lot of the driving cause he knows all these fancy short cuts. I think this day he must’ve been showing off cause we were on a scenic route without much in the way of toilet stops. We FINALLY see a sign for a servo. Okay, admittedly, I’m the not the most patient human being on the face of the earth, so it was probably only minute or so. But I don’t have time to waste when I need a wee.

So we drive in, to the off road beaten up old servo. I jump out and skip hurriedly towards the attendant like I’m dancing on hot coals… and he just looks at me like there’s no sense of urgency in passing me the damn toilet key that’s dangling behind him like a golden ticket. That’s something I usually love about country people. There’s always tomorrow and there’s no hurry! But right then, I sort of despised his laid back country attitude. He knew all along what I wanted… and when it was presented to me I snatched it rudely out of his hand.

I danced my way to back of the servo… urgency rising… baby prodding the very inflating bladder. Little bugger! I think the baby must think it’s a toy or something cause when I need a wee I can actually feel little hands giving it a good prod and pinch.

Anyway, I found the door. YAY! And I know we all see it in the movies and think “yeah right!”, but I can honestly say this happened to be the dirtiest road house toilet I had ever seen. I kept thinking, maybe I’ve gone into the men’s. But when I came out to check, I realised, there was no men’s. Or more like, there was no ladies. I took a deep breath and went back in. Only to discover the only toilet was missing its seat. EEEEEW! But, by this time, I could actually feel myself starting to go, and I was quite amused with the comedy in the situation, but I think I’d realised if I was to let out a giggle I would have wet myself right there and then. So another deep breathe and go for it. Mode… the squat.

Usually I would have just held it. I would have hung on for the next toilet. But I have no constitution anymore. I just can’t hold it! And I’m sure you’re all grossed out with details by now so I won’t even go into the fact that I had to wee behind a large bush on the way home. Don’t worry. You couldn’t see anything (much).

Aaah, the dignity”

Source: B105 – Camilla’s Pregnancy Diary

Sharyn Ghidella chats about motherhood

Channel Seven Brisbane Weekend News Presenter, Sharyn Ghidella spoke to New Idea about how she’s finding motherhood after her son, Austin was born four-months ago, starting a new job at Channel Seven and her and partner Paul Croll’s wedding plans.

On marriage: “We might wait until Austin can walk and carry the rings down the aisle for us. He could be the best man – he is our best man!”

On her surprise pregnancy: “Twelve months ago, if someone told me I’d have a baby I would have laughed. It was unplanned, but it was a joyous moment when I found out I was pregnant. It’s been wonderful since.”

On her hectic lifestyle: “I’ve taken on all of life’s big events at once. In 12 months I’ve renovated a house, moved interstate, started a new job, I’m trying to sell a house, I’ve bought a house and new car and, oh yes, had a baby!”

On having Sharyn’s parents close-by: “Mum has been to stay, but my father still hasn’t seen Austin because he’s a cane farmer and the baby was born right when the season started. They work seven days a week from dawn to dusk so Dad didn’t have the luxury of taking time off. I’m hoping to take Austin to Babina [near Cairns] soon so Dad can meet him.”

On returning to work seven weeks after Austin’s birth: “A lot of new mums say they’re exhausted and I am, but no more than when I used to get up at 3am to go to work [for the Today show]. I’ve already had 10 years of practice at getting up. So when Austin needed feeding at 1am and 4am, I’d just roll out of bed. People say motherhood is the most challenging job and it truly is because that baby is so dependent on you. But when they smile and look at you with those eyes, it’s all worth it.”

On raising Austin without a nanny: “At this point we’re happy to juggle between the two of us for as long as we can. We’re enjoying these moments with Austin. People say if you can do it, don’t miss these opportunities when they’re little because they do grow up fast. And because Austin wasn’t planned, now he’s here I want to make the most of it and enjoy him as much as I can.”

Source: New Idea, August 25 2007, pg 34-5.

Click KEEP READING for three more images.

Sophie Falkiner’s most important role is being a mum

Sophie Falkiner, co-host of entertainment news TV show Confidential admits that her most important role is being a mum to daughter, Isabella, 2 and wife to husband Tony Thomas. However, juggling family and work has been difficult:

“It’s taken time to get the balance right, it’s difficult. I miss her while I’m at work and it wasn’t easy finding day care I felt 100 per cent comfortable leaving her in.”

Ever since diagnosing Isabella’s health problem as a baby she has been a dream:

“Isabella had silent reflux so she would be in burning pain after every feed. It was terrible to see her suffering, not knowing what was wrong with her was even harder. But I learnt you have to listen to your gut and get second opinions. I was glad I did because I realised she wasn’t a cranky baby, she was an absolute dream.”

Being a stay-at-home mum is hard to adjust to:

“It was challenging living 24/7 with a new baby and it did feel isolating, but you just have to make sure you get out every day – otherwise you’d always be in your pyjamas.”

Tony is a wonderful father and helpful husband:

“He’s a great father – he does all his own washing and ironing which I love!”

Source: New Idea, August 25 2007, pg 38.

Lisa Curry-Kenny & daughters at MBFF Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival

Former Olympic swimmer, Lisa Curry-Kenny attended the MBFF Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival with daughters, Jaimi and Morgan at the Hilton Hotel in Brisbane on Tuesday August 28. Lisa and husband Grant Kenny also have a son, Jett .

Source: Tito Media, images used with permission

Cornelis gives Jana Pittman the edge

Aussie champion hurdler, Jana Pittman who is currently competing in the World Championships in Osaka, has credited her son Cornelis, 9 months, for giving her ‘the edge’ in competition:

“It’s Cor, have a baby and you can do anything.”

Jana kept up an extraordinary level of fitness throughout her pregnancy, which included training twice a day, six days a week in the lead-up to Cornelis’ birth in December. Jana’s husband and coach Chris Rawlinson commented:

“She showed a massive amount of commitment to training when she was pregnant – she put everything into it. The day she gave birth she did a 30-minute run . . . she put the hammer down with 15 minutes to go. I was feeling the stress as it was only supposed to be a 30-minute easy run but she went hard and I think that just set the tone for what she has got now.”

Source: The Advertiser

Lleyton Hewitt on what he’s learnt from Mia

Aussie tennis player, Lleyton Hewitt has chatted about what he’s learnt from his daughter Mia, 21 months and how his wife, Bec has impacted his life.

Has it been you’re little girl that’s made you a better person: “Don’t know. Maybe my wife did that. I don’t know.”

Travelling with Mia: “It used to be around me and my tennis more. Pretty much everything is solely around her – what’s best for her needs. Then I sort of work my schedule around that.”

What he’s learned from Mia: “Watching a lot of kids’ DVDs. Learning a lot about Mickey Mouse. Little Einstein, the Wiggles. I know all the Wiggles.”

Source: The Advertiser

Darryl Wakelin retires; poses for photo with family

Another Port Adelaide Power AFL player has announced their retirement — this time it’s Darryl Wakelin, who posed for a photo with wife Karmen and children, Amelie, 20 months and Gillon, 3 1/2 months to commemorate the announcement. Darryl plans to put his 10 years of study in Pharmacy to use once the footy season in over.

Source: The Advertiser

Naomi Watts and Alexander at doctor’s office

Aussie actress, Naomi Watts took her son Alexander, 5 weeks tomorrow, to the doctor’s office for a check up on Monday August 27 in Los Angeles.

Source: E Online

Jacinda Barrett and Gabriel Macht welcome a baby girl

Aussie actress, Jacinda Barrett (Ladder 49, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason) and husband Gabriel Macht welcomed their first child, a girl named Satine Anais Geraldine Macht on Monday August 20 in Los Angeles. Jacinda’s publicist tells People:

“Mum and Satine are happy and healthy.”

There was only one photo of Jacinda published during her pregnancy, to view click here!

Source: People

Damien Leith chats about fatherhood

Damien Leith has had a busy year, not only is he reveling in the success of his Australian Idol win but he released a new album and he and wife Eileen welcomed their second son Jagger on May 31! Damien caught up with Who and discussed fatherhood and the favourite things he like to do with Jarvis, 2 and Jagger.

On balancing his demanding career and family: “We’re doing really well. Eileen maintains the balance – she’s incredible. She has an awful lot of energy and she’s extremely good at keeping track of things. I wake up in the morning and there’s a whole list of what’s planned for today – it’s all schedules for me now, and she really keeps it all together. She’s a massive inspiration for me. She has been since we met.”

Has fatherhood changed him? “In every possible way. It gives you a much better perspective on where you want to be and what’s important. Music is a job now for me and it’s all about planning for the future for the kids. You have kids because you want to have them and they become your life.”

What he and the kids like to do: “We play an awful lot. Jarvis is at a very lively stage. He loves to go to the park and walk on the walls and he loves playing the Wiggles and dancing. He won’t dance alone, so we all have to do it. I know all the moves. We always go for walks. We normally go to a park or we’ll go down to Balmain [in Sydney] and walk the shops. We spend a lot of time outdoors.”

Source: Who, August 27 2007, pg 58.