My baby is turning four this weekend

Time is flying by so quickly, in just a blink of an eye, my baby is turning four. Lukas Nate is the miracle that was against all odds. He was my miracle baby! After our two premmies, we were told not to have anymore children as the result would be either myself or the baby would die. Quite dramatic, but the fact.

I searched high and low for answers to prove I could have another baby. We were blessed to be placed in the hands of two amazing doctors who guided us all the way to a full term baby. As part of my pregnancy, I had to inject myself everyday with medication. It was worth it. As part of the pregnancy, I had to meet with doctors, have fortnightly ultrasounds, blood tests, urine tests and daily blood pressure monitoring. It was worth it.

There is not a day that goes by in the past four years that I don't look at this special boy with gratitude. Lukas brings so much to our lives in more ways than one. He taught me to be patient, perserevance and to believe that there are possibilities in life, you just need to keep the faith and hold on.

Happy Birthday my special little boy x

Inspirational Mothers

I have been addicted to The Biggest Loser this year. Its been my tradition to sit and watch the hour show with usually a tear or two. It is a huge emotional roller coaster for these inspirational people.

Many lessons have resonated from the show, especially for mothers. There are two ladies on the show, Kelly and Bec, who have small children at home and have won the battle with weight. As they have peeled the layers off, they have had to confront their emotional issues. These are mainly the constant battle of mother guilt and providing all of themselves to their children. In this selfless effort, they slowly lost small pieces of who they were and became a person they did not recognise.

Its inspiring to watch the new mothers emerge with the understanding of they now need to look after themselves first in a healthy and positive manner to then be able to give their children a happy, fulfilled mother.

A child, in my opinion, needs nothing more x

Mothers who need lending hand - is that not all of us?

Just recently I was connected with two fabulous women - 1. Maddie from The Healing Retreat and 2. Bec from Nurture Nanny. Maddie is in the midst of creating a new business to help mothers who are suffering or who have suffered from post natal depression. She will be hosting retreats for mothers to come together and heal. Very much needed! Bec has a fabulous new business called Nurture Nanny. This service is for mothers to give them a lending hand after they arrive home from the hospital. This could be with feeding, sleep patterns, routine or simply the meals, washing or shopping. Angels!! Its amazing how women keep evolving to be able to create and provide such wonderful services to mothers. The key is that women need to accept this help, even if they don't think they really need it at the time. Most of us try to be super women, but at the end of the day, this facade is exhausting. Give it up and accept the help. Just think of the downtime you will have to enjoy a shower, a hot cup of tea and a cuddle with your baby. That moment does not come back, cherish it while you can.

Blood Tests.

I am sure the prem mothers reading this blog can identify to the heartbreaking scream of our prem babies who are usually pricked several times a day for blood testing.

This was the one daily routine that would leave me feeling helpless. I was unable to do anything except gently touch my prem through the humidicrib as doctors would try to find a vein to take the blood.

Well, today, nearly 5 and half years later, these same feelings came back.

We have had some concerns with Kye's health and we are in the midst of finding out what is really going on in his body. Blood tests are one way of finding the answers.

This morning we prepared Kye for the test and placed a numbing patch over his arm to hopefully ease the pain. We bribed him with the outcome of buying a beanie kid after the test and assured him it will be over and done with quickly.

As I sat on the clinical bed with Kye, my heart started racing. I looked at my little boy who was smiling at this point whilst the nurse was trying to find a vein in his tiny arm. This took some time as his veins are significantly small due to the size of his body. As he laid down to begin the process of taking the blood. He took my hand and squeezed it tight. He was trying so hard to be brave and whispered "Mum, its starting to hurt". My eyes welled up with tears. For a moment, everything in the room stood still except for my thoughts.

This was my moment to reassure him and be his strength. I could not let him see my tears at this time, as these were tears from the past, not the present. He was looking to me for strength.

I quickly swallowed my tears and smiled. I held his hand tight and told him how brave he was and that it was all going to be over in a minute. We talked about the beanie kid he was going to buy. He even tried to negotiate two bears, which made me laugh! No doubt about him.

The nurses were so proud of him! He walked out of the surgery so chuffed with himself that he had got through his worse fear. I was so proud of my little man. He has become such a strong, brave survivor of all areas of his life thus far.

Its not only prem mums that need a hug...

I had a great day out with a girlfriend yesterday who just graduated as a midwife. She was filling me in on all the stories from special care.

There were some sad stories and some fantastic outcomes with prem babies, which is always great to hear. However, there were other stories that came from full term births with traumatic outcomes.

No woman starts her pregnancy thinking there will be complications and no mother wants plans to be in special care. For the prem mums, we sometimes have warnings along the way or for an early labour, we sometimes have a few moments to grasp reality and get ready for the rocky road ahead.....

But for the mother who has an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth to then find herself in special care with a full term baby would be an utter shock.

My midwife friend has seen many of these mothers in special care. From us prem mums, we send our thoughts, love and prayers. There will be hard days and there will be joyous days. Its a rollercoaster ride. Hold on to your loved ones and take one step at a time.

Five Premmie Babies.....

Last night I was flicking around on the tv and I came across a moving, emotional story on 60 Minutes of two women who have just had five premmie babies. The story followed them from the moment of conception to the dramatic twist of an early labour and delivering five beautiful, tiny babies.

For us mothers who have had our emotional, heart renching times with one or two premmie babies, we can understand a fifth of these mothers emotional roller coaster with five babies in special care. All of the babies weighed less than a 1kg.

It is a must see - http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/

What amazing women! We wish you and your beautiful babies a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. Just wait till you get these beautiful babies home. You have so much to look forward to!

Motivating Mums

I was recently contacted by a fabulous woman by the name of Ali Price. Ali has created an inspiring business in Oz and the UK in which she motivates and supports mums in business. A great concept.

Ali asked me to make a few notes on being mentored by a mentor in business and in life, as well as the opportunity to work together on some future projects.

Here is the link - enjoy!
http://www.motivatingmum.com/wp/?p=517

Friends for a reason, a season or a lifetime

Its still astounds me how just when I think I have a great group of supportive friends that share the same values and respect for friendship that I do, along comes a new friend who feels like she has been there all my life. To be honest, I really dont know how I got by so far without her.

This special friend has been in my life for a few years, however, in the past year she has really been my shining star. I have found myself at her kitchen table many times answering her questions in an honest and uncensored way. There are only a few people who you really can do this with.

My friend always feeds and waters me with gourmet dishes (which we share a true passion for) and has the best set of listening ears. I often think why she did not appear when I was working through all my "stuff" after Kye was born. She would have been the perfect person to pull me through with her wisdom. And then I realised, I had to pull myself through the "stuff" to really own my feelings, my issues and my outcome.

On reflection, I am truly grateful for my friend being in my life now and forever. She is the person who gently encourages me to keep the light burning for Miracle Beginnings and to believe in myself. She makes me a better person and I am so thankful for her energy, her laughter, her wisdom and her ears.
x

Life is full of lessons.....

Just when you think you have a handle on life - another curve ball will hit you straight between the eyes!

This week I have learnt many lessons. It would have been nice to spread them all out over the next month, but no, all at once.

What I have learnt from these past few days, is to always follow your gut instinct. If you make a choice that goes against what others think, the world will not fall apart. It may feel like it will for a moment, but with the next breath, the next hour, the next day. it will be ok.

As a mother, I feel I am constantly being watched by my three little monkeys. They are always watching my reactions to good and bad situations. They make me accountable.

Hopefully, the decisions I have made this week will slowly take its turn. I have learnt my lessons, loud and clear. There is no need for any repetition!

A new years resolution....

It always seems to be this time of year that we make a commitment to ourselves that we will work out, eat less, cut out the junk and lose the muffin top......its always in a month's time that we lose focus and reform to our old habits. I am guilty as charged!

HOWEVER, late last year I made a commitment to myself to exercise for many other reasons, other than physical appearance and I actually started to see results. I was sick of my own excuses of not having time because of the kids, work, house, husband, the dog - really any reason at all. I became focused and found myself slipping into my old jeans - yes, you know the ones, we all keep at the back of the cupboard!

If you have made a new years resolution to commit to exercise in some form - copy this quote and sticky tape it somewhere you will read it every day...it will motivate you to get up and get going:

"This investment may be the most humbling struggle you have ever embarked on, yes, but the rewards are that it makes you glow and feel free. Getting good at regular exercise is not comfortable at the beginning. We have a universal responsibility to work smart and hard for our physical beauty" - Tracy Anderson, Celebrity Trainer

PS It also gives you sanity, clarity and peace!!

Welcome 2011

2010 has flown past so quickly, there has less time to be on the computer to blog.

I apologise for not having the discipline to be online blogging to our community. This will change as there are many exciting adventures in the planning stages and ready to be launched for this year.

All I can ask is to stay tuned, stay connected and watch this space.....my mission is to bring you a new level of hope and inspiration. It is very exciting, come join me for the ride!

xxx