We are trhilled to have Mel from Honey You Baked! guest blog for the sorella-hood today! {side note: isn’t that THE cutest blog name going around?} Honey, You Baked! ~ are Danni & Mel, two Friends and Mamas who used to work together in Sydney and now blog together – states apart. Two Mamas, Makin’ & Bakin’ in Sydney & Tassie. Mel lives in Hobart on a hectare of rural land where she is raising two kids and a husband (Miss E, Master O and A1). She is a Social Media Whiz, has a great love of Tasmanian Cheese & Wine and does everything at the last minute (I think Mel might be my soul-sister, she sounds an awful lot like me – minus the social media…
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30 by 30. It’s time to start living.
Super excited to have our little sister Zara guest post today for the sorella-hood. Thanks so much for sharing and giving us a kick up the behind Za! Who knew little sisters could be so clever! One year ago I was at a very real and very painful low point in my life. A long term relationship that I thought was going to be … ‘it’ … came to a very sudden and painful end. My life turned a complete 180 and I had to try to find myself amongst the heartbreak, tears, depression, gin and tonics (and Maggie Beer Ice Cream). I woke up one morning recently with an overwhelming realisation that I was pushing 30. A year ago I would have hid in…
Just Do It! Top 10 Questions asked when planning a family adventure!
Packing the kids up for an overnighter, or even a day out always seems like such a big task. Do I really need to take all this stuff??!!! The logistics of car seats, strollers, bedding, food and all the rest can be daunting, let alone organising a simple bag so I can easily locate hats, sunscreen and wipes! Getting to the destination is one thing – then there is the actual heading out and exploring. What can we do that they kids will enjoy? How do we know a certain activity will suit our family’s needs? Our friends at Do It Tour (Australia’s best online tour and experience booking company) have agreed to guest blog this week and have provided some tips and advice for…
There’s no place like home…
Many parts of Australia are experiencing a heat wave over the coming days. But 40+ temperatures are the summer-norm for some and is just one of the many challenges living in outback Australia… Being a new first-time mother with limited support and resources is another, and today on the blog my good friend Peta shares her story (which never ceases to blow me away everytime I think about it!)… I live in a small town. No, not small like Toowoomba, Dubbo, or Bendigo, small like a place you’ve never heard of, on a road not many travel. Eighty-ish people live in my town, and I know them all; by name, occupation and preferred drink. When I had my first child they knew all about it…
The journey continues for a courageous friend of the sorella-hood: Living with the BRACA1 Gene (Part 2)
October is Australia’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time to show support for women, men, and their families who are affected by breast cancer, as well as raise awareness to aid in the early detection and prevention of this disease. Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with one in 9 Australian women diagnosed before the age of 85 (see more info & stats at www.nbf.org.au). It’s for this reason that ‘Pink Month’ is so crucial for fundraising efforts in driving ongoing research to understand this cancer better, and improve prevention and treatment options. And most importantly, to hopefully find a cure. Last week we re blogged our dear friend Elise’ post on part 1 of her journey to prevent developing…
Elise shares her story for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
It’s October! And it’s certainly very hard to ignore the amount of wonderful pink pink pink splattered everywhere at the moment meaning it’s also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a very important time for alisha & I because, like so many people, we have had some friends and family close to us lose their battle with breast cancer. However thankfully survival rates have improved more recently and this has a lot to do with the tireless efforts of many to raise funds for research which in turn leads to improved detection and treatment options. Back in February of this year, we shared our dear friend Elise’s story with you. Elise was faced with a very difficult choice when she found out she had the BRACA1…
We received a really lovely review from Melbourne Blogger Pip Mooney of The Daily Wipe that we thought we’d share today. Pip blogs about parenting, fashion, beauty, and food – and everything in between! Who is the latest celeb to fall pregs, or just gave birth? You’ll hear it first from Pip! Which designer label is set to release a new children’s line? Pip will know about it…. We love her blog! Pip is currently pregnant herself and due in November. We wish you all the very best for the remainder of your pregnancy Pip and the arrival of your new bubba! ~ alisha & anna
Part 2: Top 5 tips for Prep Readiness
Today we have Part 2 of our guest post from Kate Davis & Christine Wyatt from Boost Therapy. If you missed part 1, “Is your child prepped for Prep”, you can check it out here. In Part 1, we asked the question ‘how do you know your child is ready for Prep?’ Kate and Christine helped us understand three key developmental areas we need to consider when thinking about our child’s readiness for Prep. These are: Communication – Speech and language skills to be able to communicate with their teachers and peers. Pre writing skills – the skills children acquire through participating in activities such as drawing, construction, craft and other fiddly tasks. Independence – tasks that children need to be able to do independently in…
Part 1: Is your child Prepped for Prep?
Is your child starting Prep next year? My daughter is and has been quizzing me about it ever since we did a tour of the school recently. Just this morning she said, “I don’t think there will be a mat to sit on, will there Mum? Just big desks?”. I explained to her that I’m pretty sure there will be a sitting area as well as desks, to which she replied, “Oh yeah, because they might like to read us stories!” Apart from some anxiety about whether you think you are ready to be sending them off to school (something I am sure all parents worry about as the day gets closer!), you may also have some concerns about whether they are really ready for…
What are the best things about being a Dad?
It’s Day 4 of our Dad-Fest in the sorella-hood with Father’s Day coming up on Sunday! It’s a special time for all families – especially those with Dad’s who are celebrating their FIRST FATHER’S DAY! Yay for you! For today’s post, we wanted to know what it is that’s so special about being a Dad. So we asked 5 sorella dads just that: “What are the best things about being a Dad?”
A feeling in my loins…
As many of you know, I am currently at the very start of planning my wedding. I am completely overwhelmed, terrified, nauseated, and literally sleepless with all the options, costs and ways it could all go very very wrong. To make matters worse, while I am shortlisting venues and finalising budgets, I have had every bride there has even been tell me “Oh it’s all so fabulous! I wish I was planning my wedding day again! It’s the BEST!” Which does nothing except make me feel like I am missing something. Didn’t anyone else feel the pain of wedding-planning-crazy-land? Interestingly, as I grapple with the “is it all really worth it – why can’t I just elope” question, it seems one mother in the sorella-hood…
I’m chicken of chicken
Sometimes I look at raw chicken and I think: You look weird. You look a bit too complex. You look like you should have your feathers on. You look cold & miserable. Clinically depressed even. I’m sorry, but I just can’t handle you (physically or mentally)… After 12 months of living & working in Vietnam, you would think I would be good a handling birds. It was a daily occurrence for the girls from the house opposite mine to be out on the footpath, squatting down with their machetes chopping their bird of choice – preparing it for any number of dishes for the day. Bird for breaky. Bird for lunch. Bird for dinner. But over-exposure in this way didn’t help how chicken I was…
World Asthma Day 2012 – What it’s really like to feel ‘breathless’
Today is World Asthma Day. Having a child with Asthma can be extremely traumatic for any parent – it can be a deadly disease. Today’s post is from our sister Zara who has lived with Asthma her whole life. Alisha & I remember many frantic late night trips to the hospital still in our pyjamas and so worried for our baby sister. Zara has offered to share her experience with you, which we hope sheds some light on the condition, as well as offer some helpful information for you to be able to recognize the symptoms of Asthma in you own child – because a massive 1 in 9 children have Asthma. It’s hard for me to describe what it’s like to have asthma. I…
Our little miracle
Today is National Premmie’s Day. We are so fortunate to have our friend Aleisha share her son Charlie’s story and his fight for life, born at just 28 weeks. Looking at my 5 year old boy, you would never have known he was born at 28 weeks, 12 weeks early and weighing 860 grams. He came into the world on a Monday morning with the help of an extremely large team of Doctors and Nurses, and was immediately whisked away into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where he would spend the first 50 days of his life. It was 7 days before I was able to hold him for the first time.
Andrea’s Pregnancy Video Diary – Week 19
Four weeks on from her announcement that she is pregnant, Andrea shares her latest video diary with the sorella-hood. If you missed her first diary entry, you can check it out here. Now at 19 weeks, Andrea has the choice of finding out her baby’s gender. Making this decision has become a little more difficult due to the vested interests of her two young children who seem to have their own views on sibling responsibilities when the baby arrives as well as gender preference (so cute!). I can certainly remember the day my younger sister was born – I cried, and cried and cried. I was so sure she was going to be a boy! Find out what Andrea decides to do…
Get your sun-shine on this winter!
As I put together today’s guest post I can see out my window to a grey, rainy Melbourne day. We seem to be in a weird state of nowhere land – not Summer, not Autumn, but a grey fuzzy bit in-between that isn’t at all inspiring. I think most people around the country are also feeling a bit of seasonal confusion – but I’m sure you aren’t here for a meteorology report, so I’ll get back on track. We have a great post for you today. Natalie Travaskis is not only a wonderful gal, she is also a whiz of a Naturopath (qualified with a Bachelor of Health Science in Naturopathy). For today’s guest post spot, she is sheds some light (pardon the pun) on…
I’m not loving being a woman today
Our dear friend Elise is this week’s guest blogger, and she has agreed to share a very personal story with you. Elise is 30 years old and recently underwent surgery for a double mastectomy. Here, she explains why.
You’ll be running like Wonder Woman (but with a more supportive bra) in no time
It can sometimes be hard getting back into (or starting!) an exercise routine after the birth of your baby. However, there are many reasons why it’s essential for your physical as well as mental health. If you love running but not sure how to get back into it post-birth, Running Coach Melissa from Soul Runner is here to help get you started and have you running like Wonder Woman in no time (although she probably need to see point no 4 of Melissa’s top tips). [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-leJZGhLNVk&w=420&h=315]
Andrea’s Pregnancy Video Diary
Introducing the lovely Andrea, who recently found out she is pregnant with her 3rd bubba – congrats Andrea! Andrea’s very kindly agreed to share the adventures of her pregnancy with the sorella-hood through her video diaries. Each month we will check in to see how she is progressing, how she is feeling, and how her two little ones are preparing for the arrival of their baby brother or sister. This week, Andrea has just made the 12 week mark. She tells us about finally fessing up to her friends, the anxiety of telling her boss of her news, and why she has had to open an eBay account!
Have a sustainable Australia Day!
Well it’s Australia Day – and there is one thing that is synonymous with Australia Day (and Tony Abbott in a pair of smugglers at the beach is not it). No, for most, Australia Day means cranking up the BBQ, slamming down some (hopefully organic) snags and enjoying a glass or two of vino to celebrate how lucky we are. If you want to turn your fiesta into something a bit more special this year, we have a fantastic recipe generously shared by the girls at Sustainable Table – a gorgeous summer salad to go with your lamb chops and snags, and great for any vegetarian friends you may be entertaining.
Up, Up & Away!
There is so much to think about when preparing for your first overseas trip with bub (and you thought getting your husband to pack his own bag was enough of an ordeal). This week’s guest blog is from regular jet-setter Jess who has kindly shared her key advice when preparing to travel with your bub for the first time, and how to manage that (eeek!) long-haul flight. (image by ideabug)
Up, Up & Away!
There is so much to think about when preparing for your first overseas trip with bub (and you thought getting your husband to pack his own bag was enough of an ordeal). This week’s guest blog is from regular jet-setter Jess who has kindly shared her key advice when preparing to travel with your bub for the first time, and how to manage that (eeek!) long-haul flight. (image by ideabug)