Nicole Livingstone welcomes a son

Sports commentator and former swimmer, Nicole Livingstone and husband Marty Smith have welcomed their third child, a son Robinson Edward on Thursday November 22, weighing 8lb 13oz (3.98kg). Robinson is a brother for the couple’s five-year old twins Ella and Joshua.

A big thankyou to ABB reader Jenelle for this info.

Source: Herald Sun

Karla Gilbert introduces daughter; discusses difficult pregnancy

Former ironwoman Karla Gilbert and husband Andrew James welcomed their first daughter Ella Kaelee James on October 13 2007 at 6.45pm, weighing 3.5kg and last week the couple introduced her to New Idea Magazine where they discussed Karla’s difficult pregnancy and posed for some gorgeous photos.

On Ella’s looks: “I think she looks like me, but she has her daddy’s big feet and long limbs — and there’s nothing wrong with a girl with long legs.”

Motherhood is a learning-curve for Karla: “I wonder now what I ever did with my time before because Ella doesn’t like to sleep during the day. But she’s such a cutie. She’s also the first baby I have ever held. I have never been maternal, and I was always worried that babies would cry if I picked them up, so this is a huge learning curve for me.”

As she suffered from amenorrhoea (an absence of menstrual bleeding) they feared they may not be able to conceive: “I had no period for two years [due to greulling training for her ironwoman events], but the first month Andrew and I tried to get pregnant we were successful. One day I was worried I wouldn’t be able to conceive and booked in to see a specialist — and the next I was pregnant!

On her difficult pregnancy: “Some women really embrace the whole experience, but I didn’t. I felt sick and had a metallic taste in my mouth right up to the birth. Towards the end people told me my tummy was tiny, but I was so uncomfortable that I couldn’t imagine being any bigger.”

On Karla’s 18-hour labour: “I thought I had a high pain threshold, but childbirth was completely new territory. Andrew was wonderful, never leaving my side, rubbing my back and telling me how proud he was, but I was dazed, and even an epidural didn’t give me relief.”

As Ella was in the wrong position Karla needed emergency surgery: “For someone like Karla, who’s so fit and healthy and hasn’t had so much as a toothache in her life, an emergency caesarean was a huge deal. There was enough urgency to make it seem like an episode from a TV show, and with my own medical knowledge I knew all too well what could go wrong.”

Andrew was anxious throughout the operation: “I poked my head over the sheet as they were pulling Ella out and saw the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around her little neck. It hit me that we should just be thankful that a natural birth didn’t happen.”

When Ella was two-days old she was diagnosed with a dislocated hip: “The paediatrician told us ‘clicky hips’ are fairly common in girls, and may be due to my compact tummy that held her too tightly in the womb.”

Ella now has to wear body armour-type brace for six weeks to keep her legs straight: “We only had time to give her one bath before it went on, and as it’s so bulky there’s a cupboard full of beautiful clothes she can’t wear. Even changing a nappy is complicated, and breastfeeding is awkward because I can’t hug her close. I was upset when the doctor was putting the brace on because Ella was crying and all I could think was that my baby wasn’t perfect. It was all too much. But it’s only temporary, and there are a lot worse things that could have happened — I know we’re very lucky.”

On their strong mother-daughter bond: “Ella and I will be best friends after everything we have been through together.”

Source: New Idea, November 10 2007, pg 34-35.

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Natarsha Belling and family visit Santa Claus

Channel 10 news reader Natarsha Belling, husband Glen Sealey and their son Harrison, 17 months, visited Santa Claus at Bondi Junction Westfield in Sydney on Friday November 16, 2007.

Source: Mike Flokis/Getty Images

Celina Edmonds and children visit Santa Claus

Sky News presenter Celina Edmonds posed with Santa Claus and children Hugo, Darcy and her daughter at Bondi Junction Westfield, Sydney on Friday November 16, 2007.

Source: Mike Flokis/Getty Images

Simon Reeve and family visit Santa Claus

Sunrise news reader Simon Reeve, his partner Linda and their daughter Stella and son Sam, 6, visited Santa Claus at Bondi Junction Westfield in Sydney on November 16, 2007.

Source: Mike Flokis/Getty Images

Amanda Keller and family visit Santa Claus

Radio co-host Amanda Keller and sons Liam and Jack visited Santa Claus at Bondi Junction Westfield in Sydney on Friday November 16, 2007.

Source: Mike Flokis/Getty Images

Brad Fittler and family visit Santa Claus

Sydney Rooster’s Coach Brad Fittler, his wife Marie Liarris and their children, Zach and Demi visited Santa Claus at Bondi Junction Westfield in Sydney on Friday November 16, 2007.

Source: Mike Flokis/Getty Images

Lauren Newton & Matt Welsh discuss their impending arrival

TV personality Lauren Newton, the daughter of showbiz couple Bert and Patti Newton is expecting her first baby with swimmer husband Matt Welsh in February next year. The couple spoke to Woman’s Day about their impending arrival and also discussed their fears that they may never have been able to create a family.

On their quick succession of milestones in their relationship: “No, we have really just gone bang, bang, bang; engaged, married, pregnancy. No messing around! [Matt adds] I guess the engagement thing was my fault! But we are obviously ecstatic with everything and with the timing.”

On her due date: “I’m six months pregnant, so it’s speeding by. At Mum’s birthday lunch earlier this year, Matt made the passing comment that we’d try to give her a grandchild next time. When I discovered my due date, I couldn’t believe it was February 4 – Mum’s birthday. So Matt kept his promise! It’s probably not the sort of present Mum had in mind, but it’s the best one.”

On discovering Lauren was pregnant: “Lauren hadn’t been feeling well and went to the doctor. She had two sets of blood tests but they were inconclusive. So they asked her to come back for just one more try, and next day she phoned me with the result. After so many tests, I’d started to imagine the worst, For a split second I thought, ‘Okay, we are never going to have kids’ [Lauren adds] I think the doctor asked if there was a chance I was pregnant and I said ‘No, of course not!’ I thought I had a virus and was a bit run down.”

On their concerns that they may have been unable to conceive: “I had polycystic ovaries in my teens, which can make it difficult to have children. You just worry whether it’s going to affect you or not. [Matt adds] I thought it was way too early for it to happen, because we were anticipating that it would take years – if it happened at all.”

On everyone’s reaction to the pregnancy: “Matt cried when I told him the news [Matt adds] I was sitting down in our bedroom, thank God, or I would have fallen over. [Lauren adds] My parents are beside themselves. My mum is desperate for a grandchild; she’s one of those people who talks to mothers with babies on the street. She’s already buying a new car so that she can put a baby capsule in the back. Dad was in shock for a while. He’s obsessed with his little dog – it’s the light of his life – so we can’t wait to see how he is with a grandchild! And Matt’s parents are thrilled too!”

On how she’s finding pregnancy: “No morning sickness, no symptoms really, apart from feeling a bit tied at the start. As soon as I found out, I slowed down and made an effort to look after myself and I was fine. I’ve put on weight but you just do, straight away, although I still exercise three or four times a week. I’m always hungry, but no weird cravings. Just food! Matt looks after me so well and lets me boss him around. I hear other women complain about their partners and I think I’m so lucky.”

On finding out the gender: “We want it to be a surprise. There are so few surprises left in life, you have to make the most of them. Mind you, I am curious. I’d like to set up a nursery in the appropriate colour. I want to know and don’t want to know at the same time.”

On their preference of a boy or girl: “I don’t mind, we will be happy either way. Eventually, we’ll have both. [Matt adds] That’s the plan anyway, even if we have 19 boys first! I started off wondering what the baby is going to be or do. But then I went right back to basics. I just want it to be healthy and happy.”

On baby names: “We have a few we like, obviously, but we’ll wait until we see the baby.”

On Bert as a grandfather: “I don’t know what Dad’s speciality is going to be; perhaps walking to the park and watching old movies with the baby. He’s not going to be ‘Grandad’, he’s ‘Poppy’. We keep saying it to him now. [Matt adds] At first he didn’t respond to Poppy, but now he loves it.”

On keeping up family traditions: “As soon as I found out I was pregnant I phoned the same obstetrician who delivered me and my brother. It’s nice to have that link with the past. We are very into family traditions, like getting married at the same church as my parents. Mum has given us gifts that fans made for her when she was pregnant, like the beautiful crocheted Christening gown that I wore. Luckily it’s white, no pink bows, although I did throw up on it apparently.”

On travelling to Beijing next year to watch Matt compete in the Olympics: “I’d love to be able to tell the baby that it was there to watch Dad swim, but I won’t know until the time comes. If I do go to Beijing, I will talk Mum into coming with me.”

Source: Woman’s Day, November 5 2007, pg 34-36.

Reggie Bird & Dale Sorensen marry — with baby Mia present

Reality TV star, Regina ‘Reggie’ Bird shared her wedding day celebrations to Dale Sorensen with Woman’s Day Magazine, where the cutest guest was their baby daughter Mia, 7 months. Reggie explained that even though the day was slightly drama-filled she knew her gown was “the one” when she discovered the style name was ‘Mia’. She also admitted that organising the wedding was easy compared to childbirth:

“The only time I’ve ever been scared was when I was having Mia and they were sticking a needle in my back! This is easy!”

Source: Woman’s Day November 5 2007, pg 4-8.

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Katrina Warren & Charlotte on holiday in Hayman Island

TV vet Katrina Warren welcomed her daughter Charlotte Rose on August 11 this year and after she and husband Anthony Darcy introduced her in September, the family invited New Idea to share some holiday snaps from Katrina and Charlotte’s getaway to Hayman Island where Katrina spoke about how she’s finding motherhood.

On enjoying the getaway: “I’ve caught up on some precious sleep, relaxed poolside, enjoyed some pampering and have even managed to go for a run for the first time since Charlotte was born!”

On motherhood: “I find the actual baby side of things quite easy – it’s just the rest of your life that falls apart. If I was just caring 100 per cent for Charlotte, it’d be okay. But doing household chores as well is tricky.”

On her lack of sleep: “I don’t remember my last good night’s sleep. I think the most I’ve slept is five hours straight. I go to bed when she does at 8pm, so there’s not a lot of social life going on. For the first week I kept waking and checking her. I tend to hear every little noise. It must be a mothering instinct that kicks in.”

On her deepening relationship with Anthony since Charlotte’s birth: “It’s because we’ve got this new thing in common that we want to do the best by, but now we aren’t spending a lot of time together. When Anthony is home, I hand him the baby, because I’m with her all the time it’s my only chance to get my bits and pieces done.”

On losing her baby weight: “I’ve been lucky – I just need to exercise to tone up. It’s frustrating because I want to exercise, but I’m also exhausted – and finding the time is tricky.”

On moving to LA next January for her new TV series: “That will be a big adventure, Charlotte and Anthony will come with me. I think we’ll need to have a nanny as well because I’ll be working really long hours, which will be a shock to the system! But thousands of working women manage it, so I’ll just have to be really organised.”

On baby number two: “I really couldn’t handle another one right now!”

Source: New Idea, November 3 2007, pg 48.

Toni Collette at premiere of Toy Symphony

Aussie actress Toni Collette, who is expecting her first child in early December attended the premiere of Toy Symphony at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney on Wednesday November 14, 2007. Toni is married to Dave Galafassi.

Source: Gaye Gerard/Getty Images

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Cate Blanchett & Andrew Upton at premiere of Toy Symphony

Aussie actress, Cate Blanchett who is expecting her third child, attended the premiere of Toy Symphony with husband Andrew Upton at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney on Wednesday November 14, 2007. The couple have two sons Dashiell, 5 1/2 and Roman, 3 1/2.

Source: Gaye Gerard/Getty Images

Isla Fisher gives baby Olive a kiss!

After last week’s sneak peek during their family picnic, Aussie actress, Isla Fisher gave her baby daughter Olive, who was born three weeks ago a kiss on the forehead yesterday. Isla has definitely bounced back to her pre-baby body very quickly! Isn’t this photo is just too cute!!

Source: Popsugar

More beach fun for the Jackman family

This family sure do love the beach! Aussie actor, Hugh Jackman, his wife Deborra-Lee Furness and their children Oscar, 7 and Ava, 2 soaked up the sun at Bondi Beach on Tuesday November 13th.

Source: Just Jared

Georgie Gardner on managing motherhood and work

Today News presenter, Georgie Gardner appeared on the cover of the December issue of Good Health and Medicine Magazine with son Angus, 10 months, where she spoke about managing motherhood and work and how her job allows her to spend time with husband Tim Baker, daughter Bronte, 2 and Angus.

On returning to work: I’m doing the news on the Today show, and it’s great because I really love live TV. The adrenaline keeps you on the edge of your seat. I’ve done all sorts of news-presenting roles throughout my career in journalism, but this is all I can fit in at the moment. Like so many mothers around the country, I’m trying to juggle work and family. I have two lovely children, Bronte and little Angus. Angus was just six months when I went back to work so I have only been back for a short time. But so far, it seems to be going well.

As a mum she feels she brings more to her job: I find my work totally invigorating. There was never any question about whether I would go back to work or not after having children, because I really love what I do. I find it’s a ‘me’ compartment in my life. It’s an opportunity to switch on a different part of my brain and do something I find extremely challenging. I work in a competitive and cut-throat industry, and I feel it would be a shame after years of working my way up to give it all away. I have learned a lot over the years, and I feel I bring more to the job as a mother.

On working versus being a stay-at-home mum: Choosing to work or be a stay-at-home mum — it’s a personal thing. What may work for one mother might not work for another. I have total respect for those who choose to be full-time mothers. There’s not a shadow of doubt that it’s the hardest and the most rewarding job. Being a mother in the early years can be a thankless task. But for me, the combination of work and motherhood is ideal. My heart breaks for women who don’t have a choice. If you can do both and manage it, it’s challenging and it grounds you. I take my role as a mother seriously — but I believe I’m a better mother for it [working], and I think it sets a good example to both my daughter and son.

On combining motherhood and work: I’m lucky as the job is quite conducive to motherhood. I get up at 3.30am and I’m at work by 4am to prepare for the show to be on air from six to nine. The wonderful thing about my job is that I can be home by 10am so I’m not away from the children for too long. But by 5pm I’m knackered — and the children are fractious. My husband starts work earlier now so he’s home by 6.30pm. That’s the key to our success — we have two sets of hands on deck.

Source: Good Health and Medicine Magazine