MOTHERS DAY 2022
Faith Ikenasio Creative
Mama or two, Kadyn and Averie
Ashleigh Elliott
What's your name and how long have you been a mum?
Hi I'm Ash! As of today, I've been a Mum for 12 years.
How was your journey navigating the conception of your child/children?
Our eldest, Kadyn was a surprise lol…I was 23 years old living my best life and didn't even realise I was pregnant until I was 15 weeks along. Clearly I was not keeping track of my periods at this time lol. Our youngest on the other hand, is our rainbow baby & After 10 years, we finally decided to extend our family in 2020, but I ended up miscarrying at 9 weeks. Averie was conceived 3 months later and what was really special is that I went into labour with her a year later, on the same day I miscarried. So our journey with her was really, really special!
Off to brunch, what are we ordering?
If I'm trying to eat well – scrambled eggs on toast with a side of relish. If I'm feeling adventurous – sweet French toast OR fried chicken waffles. Life changing! Oh, and americano with a side of cold milk….always.
How did you find pregnancy? Moments you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?
DO NOT enjoy pregnancy lol. Morning sickness, struggling to sleep and exercise and both times I also found it a little lonely at times. Your friends are off living life and doing everything you normally would, but you're in a different season with different priorities - so it is a little fomo. But at the same time it is just for a season, and at the end you get a super special gift! So the fomo is totally worth it.
Hi I'm Ash! As of today, I've been a Mum for 12 years.
How was your journey navigating the conception of your child/children?
Our eldest, Kadyn was a surprise lol…I was 23 years old living my best life and didn't even realise I was pregnant until I was 15 weeks along. Clearly I was not keeping track of my periods at this time lol. Our youngest on the other hand, is our rainbow baby & After 10 years, we finally decided to extend our family in 2020, but I ended up miscarrying at 9 weeks. Averie was conceived 3 months later and what was really special is that I went into labour with her a year later, on the same day I miscarried. So our journey with her was really, really special!
Off to brunch, what are we ordering?
If I'm trying to eat well – scrambled eggs on toast with a side of relish. If I'm feeling adventurous – sweet French toast OR fried chicken waffles. Life changing! Oh, and americano with a side of cold milk….always.
How did you find pregnancy? Moments you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?
DO NOT enjoy pregnancy lol. Morning sickness, struggling to sleep and exercise and both times I also found it a little lonely at times. Your friends are off living life and doing everything you normally would, but you're in a different season with different priorities - so it is a little fomo. But at the same time it is just for a season, and at the end you get a super special gift! So the fomo is totally worth it.
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How do you spend your days on a typical week?
Most days I gym in the morning before everyone wakes up. That's "my" time. It helps keep me sane, but also allows me to function well in other areas of my life because I fill that cup. Once I'm home I'm joined at the hip by my 11 month old, released only during nap times or when her sister gets back from school. I run an online business from home so I will also juggle calls with clients during nap times or once my hubby has finished work. On the weeks I don't have calls I have more free time during the day which I love! It allows me to catch up with friends or stay in my pjs all day with Averie and watch movies.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
LOL having another child! First it was the sleep deprivation and feeding schedule, then it was trying to get back into training postpartum – I was weak and unfit, and it sucked lol. Then it was trying to work again postpartum – your brain really takes a break when you're pregnant and it was tiring mentally getting back into work. Then at the end of 2021 I also decided to launch my own business so that has come with it's challenges, and now its trying to get stuff done while my side kick just wants to be held by Mummy all the time. It's been an eventful year!
Good Netflix recommendation?
Haha I don't watch Netflix. It's Disney and I am currently limited to Encanto, Coco, Turning Red and Moana
Most days I gym in the morning before everyone wakes up. That's "my" time. It helps keep me sane, but also allows me to function well in other areas of my life because I fill that cup. Once I'm home I'm joined at the hip by my 11 month old, released only during nap times or when her sister gets back from school. I run an online business from home so I will also juggle calls with clients during nap times or once my hubby has finished work. On the weeks I don't have calls I have more free time during the day which I love! It allows me to catch up with friends or stay in my pjs all day with Averie and watch movies.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
LOL having another child! First it was the sleep deprivation and feeding schedule, then it was trying to get back into training postpartum – I was weak and unfit, and it sucked lol. Then it was trying to work again postpartum – your brain really takes a break when you're pregnant and it was tiring mentally getting back into work. Then at the end of 2021 I also decided to launch my own business so that has come with it's challenges, and now its trying to get stuff done while my side kick just wants to be held by Mummy all the time. It's been an eventful year!
Good Netflix recommendation?
Haha I don't watch Netflix. It's Disney and I am currently limited to Encanto, Coco, Turning Red and Moana
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What is one thing that you thought you would never do as a parent but now are guilty of doing?
Buy an Edwards and Co pram lol…should've got it from the start and saved my self buying 2 prams lol
How does mama relax?
Without children lol. I LOVE the beach, so I like going on holidays to places that are warm. I love training and hanging out with my friends so I do that every week. And I also just love a day with nothing on - no meetings, no calls, no where to be. I just hang out with my darlings in our pjs, marae styles in the lounge with food and movies all day. The best!!
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
Probably celebrating my Mum and Mother in law. I'm not too fussed about myself on Mothers Day, I'd rather we celebrate them and all they've done for us. As you get older and especially when you have your own kids you realise how much your mum actually did for you and your siblings, so I think more than anything you just want to give back to them and make sure they know how grateful you are.
Buy an Edwards and Co pram lol…should've got it from the start and saved my self buying 2 prams lol
How does mama relax?
Without children lol. I LOVE the beach, so I like going on holidays to places that are warm. I love training and hanging out with my friends so I do that every week. And I also just love a day with nothing on - no meetings, no calls, no where to be. I just hang out with my darlings in our pjs, marae styles in the lounge with food and movies all day. The best!!
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
Probably celebrating my Mum and Mother in law. I'm not too fussed about myself on Mothers Day, I'd rather we celebrate them and all they've done for us. As you get older and especially when you have your own kids you realise how much your mum actually did for you and your siblings, so I think more than anything you just want to give back to them and make sure they know how grateful you are.
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Mama of one, Cole
Monica Nguyen
What's your name and how long have you been a mum?
Hi! My name's Monica and I've been a mum for coming up 15 months.
How was your journey navigating the conception of your child/children?
Cole was actually conceived on Mothers Day 2020 and it was a complete surprise!
Off to brunch, what are we ordering?
I love me a good eggs bene and a matcha latte.
How did you find pregnancy? Moments you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?
Pregnancy was harder than I thought it would be. I was bleeding randomly, so was often in and out of hospitals and having random midwife visits. My skin also broke out like craaaazy and I had really bad dermatitis for a while. I think in the 3rd trimester I finally started to get that "pregnancy glow" but I felt and looked horrendous for so long it didn't even matter anymore.
Hi! My name's Monica and I've been a mum for coming up 15 months.
How was your journey navigating the conception of your child/children?
Cole was actually conceived on Mothers Day 2020 and it was a complete surprise!
Off to brunch, what are we ordering?
I love me a good eggs bene and a matcha latte.
How did you find pregnancy? Moments you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?
Pregnancy was harder than I thought it would be. I was bleeding randomly, so was often in and out of hospitals and having random midwife visits. My skin also broke out like craaaazy and I had really bad dermatitis for a while. I think in the 3rd trimester I finally started to get that "pregnancy glow" but I felt and looked horrendous for so long it didn't even matter anymore.
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How do you spend your days on a typical week?
At the moment I am in full time single mum mode. I tried to launch a business @arched.co specialising in brows and lashes but the reality of running a business and parenting full time was a LOT so I'm just taking a step back for now. Cole was supposed to start daycare then we got Covid and we ended up in hospital. It really scared me so I've held off on daycare but I'm hoping to start him soon and then we'll see what happens from there.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
Navigating parenthood without a partner/the person you'd hope to experience it all with was incredibly challenging, but we made it... We're making it
Good Netflix recommendation?
Peeky Blinders, Sons of Anarchy, Vikings etc
At the moment I am in full time single mum mode. I tried to launch a business @arched.co specialising in brows and lashes but the reality of running a business and parenting full time was a LOT so I'm just taking a step back for now. Cole was supposed to start daycare then we got Covid and we ended up in hospital. It really scared me so I've held off on daycare but I'm hoping to start him soon and then we'll see what happens from there.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
Navigating parenthood without a partner/the person you'd hope to experience it all with was incredibly challenging, but we made it... We're making it
Good Netflix recommendation?
Peeky Blinders, Sons of Anarchy, Vikings etc
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What is one thing that you thought you would never do as a parent but now are guilty of doing?
Honestly. There are probably a lot of things that I could list but just off the top of my head. I didn't think I would buy baby food as much as I am. There's also a lot of screen time. Also bed sharing?! Why did we get a cot? Haha
How does mama relax?
What is relax? Just kidding! My thing is having a long, hot shower. I tried to check myself into a hotel room once, hoping to stay overnight but got called home at 3am hahaha
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
Now that travel is open again, I've got family coming over from Sydney so will likely be spending the day with them!
Honestly. There are probably a lot of things that I could list but just off the top of my head. I didn't think I would buy baby food as much as I am. There's also a lot of screen time. Also bed sharing?! Why did we get a cot? Haha
How does mama relax?
What is relax? Just kidding! My thing is having a long, hot shower. I tried to check myself into a hotel room once, hoping to stay overnight but got called home at 3am hahaha
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
Now that travel is open again, I've got family coming over from Sydney so will likely be spending the day with them!
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Mama of one, Aylar
Sadaf James
What's your name and how long have you been a mum?
Hello, I'm Sadaf! 7 Months from my Aylar joining us earth side.
How was your journey navigating the conception of your child/children?
Unexpectedly easy. A month before conceiving I thought I was going to have issues after finding a large cyst in my ovary. I was definitely preparing for a longer conceiving journey to be honest. I fell pregnant two weeks after our honeymoon and over the first attempt. I think this girl knew how bad I needed her in my life and just couldn't wait any longer. I had to wait until marriage so for the last five or so years I've prayed to be in the position that I am in now. Her mama.
Off to brunch, what are we ordering?
Big breakie, this mama likes her food!!
How did you find your pregnancy? Moments you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?
I loved not knowing the gender of our baby. It meant I didn't get to over plan (and an Aquarius a lot goes on in my head lol) and just really process pregnancy and the beauty of it. I would also say for me pregnancy was easy until about three weeks before my due date. I had to completely change my mindset/plan around birth... we wen't into level four lockdown and the restrictions were all new to me. Something you really don't want to be worrying about when you're almost about to give birth.
Hello, I'm Sadaf! 7 Months from my Aylar joining us earth side.
How was your journey navigating the conception of your child/children?
Unexpectedly easy. A month before conceiving I thought I was going to have issues after finding a large cyst in my ovary. I was definitely preparing for a longer conceiving journey to be honest. I fell pregnant two weeks after our honeymoon and over the first attempt. I think this girl knew how bad I needed her in my life and just couldn't wait any longer. I had to wait until marriage so for the last five or so years I've prayed to be in the position that I am in now. Her mama.
Off to brunch, what are we ordering?
Big breakie, this mama likes her food!!
How did you find your pregnancy? Moments you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?
I loved not knowing the gender of our baby. It meant I didn't get to over plan (and an Aquarius a lot goes on in my head lol) and just really process pregnancy and the beauty of it. I would also say for me pregnancy was easy until about three weeks before my due date. I had to completely change my mindset/plan around birth... we wen't into level four lockdown and the restrictions were all new to me. Something you really don't want to be worrying about when you're almost about to give birth.
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How do you spend your days on a typical week?
My husband works shift so a lot of it can be based around that. No week is ever the same for us tbh. I've recently started gyming again in the mornings. So I can get some me time because before baby I loved the gym! Aside from that Aylar, Rio and myself spend a lot of time together playing, walking you name it. When Aylars napping I'll either be doing admin for my business, cooking or cleaning around the house #mumlife.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
Not being able to have majority of our family meet my daughter while she was a newborn because of covid restrictions. I still struggle being so far away from my family back in my motherland.
Good Netflix recommendation?
Honestly I couldn't tell you because I don't watch much TV. The last movie I watched on there was 'In Between'. Wouldn't say it's amazing but great reminder to never hold back and live in the moment and tell your people you love them.
My husband works shift so a lot of it can be based around that. No week is ever the same for us tbh. I've recently started gyming again in the mornings. So I can get some me time because before baby I loved the gym! Aside from that Aylar, Rio and myself spend a lot of time together playing, walking you name it. When Aylars napping I'll either be doing admin for my business, cooking or cleaning around the house #mumlife.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
Not being able to have majority of our family meet my daughter while she was a newborn because of covid restrictions. I still struggle being so far away from my family back in my motherland.
Good Netflix recommendation?
Honestly I couldn't tell you because I don't watch much TV. The last movie I watched on there was 'In Between'. Wouldn't say it's amazing but great reminder to never hold back and live in the moment and tell your people you love them.
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What is one thing you thought you would never do as a parent but now are guilty of doing?
Spend so much money on Aylar but I feel that's not a good enough answer so you might have to ask me again when I have a toddler hahaha
How does mama relax?
Hot bath, candles lit, a drink in my glass and some snacks and some down time with zaddy hahaha
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
Hopefully I'll get to spend it with my mama Lily and mother in law. Honestly I haven't planned anything but it will be nice to spend the day with them and my daughter.
Spend so much money on Aylar but I feel that's not a good enough answer so you might have to ask me again when I have a toddler hahaha
How does mama relax?
Hot bath, candles lit, a drink in my glass and some snacks and some down time with zaddy hahaha
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
Hopefully I'll get to spend it with my mama Lily and mother in law. Honestly I haven't planned anything but it will be nice to spend the day with them and my daughter.
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Mama of one, Ngaio
Giarna Pinhey
What's your name and how long have you been a mum?
Giarna, 22 months!
How was your journey navigating the conception of your child/children?
Umm hard and scary. My circumstances were weird when I fell pregnant so there was no initial excitement or celebration. I felt really ashamed and guilty, lots of people judged me and not all of my family were supportive right away.
Off to brunch, what are we ordering?
Bacon eggs bene with a side of avocado always. MUST be on English muffins and if the eggs are snotty or aren't runny I'll probably cry hahaha
How did you find your pregnancy? Moments you enjoyed or didn't enjoy?
Physically I loved it. No side effects or complications, I lost weight and had a fast birth. Emotionally it was very draining and lonely for me. I actually can't wait to be pregnant again but hopefully on happier, less complicated terms next time.
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How do you spend your days on a typical week?
I am a full time solo mama so my days always revolve around Ngaio. We go to swimming lessons on Wednesday's and usually find other activities to fill our days. He's a pretty easy-going kid though and is happy to chill out at home or run errands with me.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
Ngaio drowned 3 weeks ago while he was with his dad and things have been very very heavy for me ever since. It's very challenging trying to navigate normal life with truck loads of trauma and triggers. I so deeply fear losing my baby now..
Good Netflix recommendation?
I don't enjoy watching Anything tbh.. TV, Netflix, YouTube, a series, movies.. nothing I'll sit on my phone and scroll instead hahaha
I am a full time solo mama so my days always revolve around Ngaio. We go to swimming lessons on Wednesday's and usually find other activities to fill our days. He's a pretty easy-going kid though and is happy to chill out at home or run errands with me.
What has been the most challenging in this last year?
Ngaio drowned 3 weeks ago while he was with his dad and things have been very very heavy for me ever since. It's very challenging trying to navigate normal life with truck loads of trauma and triggers. I so deeply fear losing my baby now..
Good Netflix recommendation?
I don't enjoy watching Anything tbh.. TV, Netflix, YouTube, a series, movies.. nothing I'll sit on my phone and scroll instead hahaha
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What is one thing you thought you would never do as a parent but now are guilty of doing?
Screen time hahaha Ngaio's starting to cry for Blippi now though so I think I gotta relax on the screen time for a bit lol
How does mama relax?
I feel like I don't to be honest. This is something I need to work on. I'm always on the go and feel guilty when I have time to myself. Once Ngaio is off the wait list for Kohanga I will be able to do more for myself but at the moment it's hard to catch a break to relax.
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
I wouldn't be the mum I am without the help and guidance of my own mum, so celebrating her is my priority for Mother's Day this year!
Screen time hahaha Ngaio's starting to cry for Blippi now though so I think I gotta relax on the screen time for a bit lol
How does mama relax?
I feel like I don't to be honest. This is something I need to work on. I'm always on the go and feel guilty when I have time to myself. Once Ngaio is off the wait list for Kohanga I will be able to do more for myself but at the moment it's hard to catch a break to relax.
How are you spending your Mothers Day this year?
I wouldn't be the mum I am without the help and guidance of my own mum, so celebrating her is my priority for Mother's Day this year!
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