Tell us a bit about yourself?

I am 24 years young! I am a loud, outspoken, enthusiastic woman who loves all the F words! Food, Fun, Family and Friends! I got engaged to my high school sweetheart, due to get married next year and we are just about to celebrate our 8 year anniversary. I grew up in a house of 4 sisters and a mum who loved to invite every man and their dog over for dinner! The environment I grew up in made me wish every night and day for a big, loved filled Kardashians family! Guess I am 1 step closer after having Eli 🥰

What were you doing before babies?

Once I finished school I had a couple of causal jobs, when I turned 19 I got a job in superannuation and have been there ever since. I also started a podcast with my sister (the CBR mammas owner) but once finding out we were BOTH due only a couple days apart we decided to step away from it and eventually cancelled it together. We are consistently coming up with new and exciting things we can start together! I don’t think the podcast was right up our ally but I’m sure it won’t be the last time anyone hears from us.

How did you come to be a mum?

In 2019 Jamie and I fell pregnant towards the end of may. We were very shocked and not ready at all. We lived in a 1 bedroom apartment and had just bought a puppy! Once the shock had worn off we got very excited. We figured, we loved eachother, we were obviously (6 years in) in it for the long run. We slowly told a handful of our friends and got quite excited. Not long after I found out, after a very stressful day at work and excruciating back pain, I went to the bathroom and had bled quite a bit and realised I had lost the baby. I still look back at that time and think about although it was such a horrific moment to go through, I am so thankful and blessed for the support system I have. Jamie was quite literally my rock, said every right thing and did everything to be there for me and make me feel better. My sisters sent me flowers and checked up on me and my mum just hugged me for so long it felt like she had soaked all the sadness up and threw it away. Fast forward to exactly a year later (funnily enough, both times on Jamie’s birthday) fresh out of lockdown 2020, we had a couple of friends over for Jamie’s birthday, couple of drinks here and there and not long after found out I was pregnant. We were excited, scared but SO damn ready. Pregnancy was an absolutely dream and I loved every damn moment of it. Labour was 39 hours too long with 32 hours of it with no pain relief. I would do it 10x over just to get my perfect baby again!

What has your feeding journey been like?

Feeding at the start was T O U G H. I spent 6 days in hospital post birth. This felt like 6 long and sad years. I had nurses monitoring Eli and I 24/7. My supply was huge and nurses would come and go and just kind of expect me to know what to do. I think it was end of day two where a lovely nurse had finally sat down with me and showed me a couple of different techniques to breastfeed and finally found a way that works with both Eli and I. I still wasn’t giving him enough so they nurses made me feed, pump, feed then pump again. Not only that, but because Eli wasn’t latching properly at the start I got these horrendous blisters all over my nipples. For weeks every time I fed I was literally biting my finger to take the pain away from breast feeding. Once the blisters went away (this took weeks) and I found different positions to breast feed in comfortably, I started to enjoy the connection with my son. I will definitely miss it when he stops eventually stops!!

What has sleep been like in your house?

Really good! Jamie and I opted in to buy a Snoo and it literally saved our lives. He slept in that in his room til he was 6 months and easily transitioned into his cot. There’s obviously been some tough nights/days here and there but overall we have been pretty blessed with a baby that sleeps well! He does come into our bed around 5:30am every morning and sleeps til 7 and those cuddles in the morning are so special.

The hardest bits?

Hardest bits was the start. Just adjusting to the new born life. Being in the hospital after birth really traumatised me and it wasn’t the best start to mother hood. I absolutely loved my baby SO much and it had nothing to do with him, more so the environment, the new world I was in? I’m still not sure but I do remember the feeling of loving the day time but when the sun started to go down I felt scared and alone at night thinking, how much sleep will I get tonight? Will I ever like breastfeeding? When will this feel normal?! These feelings lasted up to a month. I am so glad I had my sister who had a baby 2 weeks prior to talk to about all of this and to cry to many times as well. I’m sure if these feelings came up again in the future I would probably seek help.

The best bits?

Everything! Watching him grow, watching Jamie be the best, most hands on funny dad ever! Every little milestone and quirky personality trait that we discover everyday. I also love that Jamie and I are his entire world, his safe space. It’s the most beautiful feeling ever. I love being a mum.

How do you make time for you?

I’m very fortunate to have Jamie help me out so much. I normally see my friends every week, sometimes at home or out for a couple of drinks and dinner (before lockdown). He has also surprised me a couple of times with a spa day and runs me baths when I’m a bit overwhelmed that day or will also just take Eli so I can do a workout. Groceries are also a nice time by myself lol.

What’s next for you and your family?

Focusing on getting married next year then hopefully have more babies in 2023! We are really enjoying every moment with Eli knowing our attention will have to be split one day!

A piece of advice?

Ask questions and tips. Everyone has different ways of parenting and tricks up their sleeves. Ask away and I can guarantee you one of those things will work for you. Also get out of the house as much as you can!