~ A Note From Monique ~

I just like this picture...

Wow, I did a tally up, and I've been blessed by WonderMums for a full 7 years this Christmas! But now my time is coming to a close. I'll be finishing up at the end of the year.

I've been a bit reflective, so I looked at another few numbers too, as I'm just a little bit geeky like that...
In my time, WM has grown from having an average of 9 women each week to this years amazing average of 18 women. Most years, we have been in contact with approximately 30 of you, and seeing you all semi-regularly.  There have been 112 different woman who have made up WM over this period. Wow!! 

The leadership has seen some changes over this time too.
Did you know that WM started 2 years prior to my joining, and was run by Catherine & Julia out of Catherine's home? When Julia moved to Aussie, I joined Catherine at the start of 2007 (having just had my first baby) and we shifted it to church due to it's growing size and we gave it a name: 'WonderMums'. I was very VERY shy talking to people I didn't know, and the whole thought of starting my New Mum days with a group of women I didn't know was honestly quite scary. ;) Those of you who have been around since 2007 will remember me making myself busy in the kitchen and with 'tasks' to be able to help Catherine.  During my time with her, I learned some amazing things. Catherine has always been such a friendly, welcoming person and I was truly blessed to be on this team with her. Jo W joined us along with Ruth B. Then Julia returned from Aussie and we were 5! Yay! (In our opinion, 5 is the best number for this team). Catherine moved on and we gained Jo P. The next sad fare-well was to Ruth who was unwell at the time, and more recently, tears were shed over Jo W who moved, and Julia who was need by Mainly Music. Our team grew to include Lisa C & Jo C. All these women are wonderful women who have given selflessly of their time and love. They have all had such a huge heart for this wonderful mother's group. I have truly been privileged to work along side of them. It has been humbling to see how God has always provided what we have needed in the team too. Each of us has had different skills and talents and it's worked together so well!

This year has been a great year too - we've seen lots of new Mums join us, and there have been some great friendships springing up. I have always wanted this group to be a place that 'serves the mum'. That means, WM is all about you! It's been our desire that this group be a place where real community is experienced, and I believe that is happening. This group of woman have cooked countless meals for each other, helped out with each others kids, supported during times of illness, celebrated MANY new babies... the lists go on!
So why am I leaving?  Well, it has not been an easy decision. Because I LOVE WM! But having said that, I do feel very much at peace that this is right. I am looking to do a paper at Carey Bible College next year, with the intention of studying full time in the future (once I've worked out if I can actually do it!). There is a lot of behind-the-scenes-time spent on WM by the team, and I know that I won't be able to do this well while I am trying to get into the swing of studying. 

So I'm not really going anywhere, and I'll still be around having coffee & cake with you all. However, on the weeks I have an assignment, this will free me up to take a week here and there to cram/read/write or whatever it is you have to do when you're studying. 

I am so looking forward to seeing the Team take on new people, and to see where they take WM too! Nothing is going to change to too much, and they are all still very committed.  I'm really excited about this group, and what it means to us as Mums. Having a support network of other mothers who are either going through the same stuff as us, or have been through it before is invaluable, isn't it? Mothering can feel so lonely at times, but it doesn't need to be, and that is one of the things that WonderMums is about! So watch this space to see who comes on board for next year, and join the Facebook group to keep abreast of any announcements.

Lastly, I want to thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your lives in this way, and for adding so very much to mine! God bless you all loads and loads!  Looking forward to catching up over coffee....

Welcome Baby Toby!

Melissa & Shaun have had a handsome boy!
Toby Shaun was born on the 31st July at 5.24pm.

He weighed in at 4200g (9lb4oz) and is 54cms long.

Toby is settling in okay and Beth is curious about our new family member. Melissa says Shaun and herself are figuring out how to balance the needs of both our little ones and each other.

God bless you all heaps as you bond together as a new family - he is lovely! Congratulations!
 

Welcome Baby Liam!

Liam Antonius was born on the 14th June at 12.15am.  He weighed in at 3900g and was 56cm long.

Helen had a water birth! (I loved my water births.)

Most of us have had a few cuddles now and think he's perfect!

Happy Birthday Lokesh!

This cute little guy turned six this year! WonderMums has been supporting him for over 2 years now, and we really appreciate every dollar that you all have donated to him. Read here for more information about who he is... and you can read his cute as letters!

On Tuesday, you all raised $50.00 towards his sponsorship. Thank you!

I look forward to seeing how his life turns out, and what he gets to do later on with his education. It is such a privilege being involved in giving him the chance that we all just ... take for granted here.

Happy Birthday, little guy!

Sharpie on Mugs...

Oooh, how cool are these?

Ladies, just note, these are NOT dishwasher friendly!

So you have your mug, what now? Well, first you wait 24 hours, THEN put it in the oven, turn it onto 180deg C and bake it for 30mins once the oven is at temperature. Then leave it in there to totally cool down.

Again - they don't like the dishwasher.

Have fun!

Littlies Magazine, Best of their Parenting Tips

In the 100th issue, they had 3 pages of tips... I've had this little mag in my loo and I read a few each day. I thought I'd share what I considered to be the best, with you! This first one, is one I tell every new Mother...

"Don't be afraid to trust yourself. Your instincts are usually right, and Mum knows best!" - Tracey Topp, Cosy Toes.

"When I kiss my two boys goodnight, I say, 'How did I get to be such a lucky mummy to have the two best sons in the world?' I think that is what parenting is all about - instilling a deep-down sens of belonging." - Fran McInnes, Director of Breastmates

"Have fun. It's really as simple as that. it's true they grow like wildfire, so enjoy it - every age and stage brings it's own small challenges, and enormous joys." - Miriama Kamo, TV presenter & Mum


"As a mum with a special-needs child, I'd say, choose your battles. If my son wants to wear pink gumboots and a green Christmas hat to school, I let him - after all, it's only clothing." - Catroina Greig, Littlies reader

"Hugs, hugs and more hubs. A mum's hug lasts long after she lets go." - Lesley Williamson, Littlies Founder/Director

"Take time for yourself, whether it's sleeping, taking a relaxing bath, or reading in peace for 10 minutes!" - Belinda Simon, Director of Pregoli

"You'll get lots of advice from everyone. Listen to those you respect, and choose the advice that feels the best fit for you and your baby." - Karen Guillialand CEO NZ College of Midwives

"Be who you want your children to see and be. If you don't want them to see you do it, hear you say it, or know you did it and tell everyone else you said it... Don't do it or say it!" - Jules Cronin, Littlies Reader

And two of my personal favourites:

"Don't make their problem your problem... They'll only change the behaviou when it's making their life difficult, not yours." - Nigel Latta, Clinical Psychologist

"If you have had a truly ghastly day, go and gaze at your child when they are asleep. They look so calm, vulnerable and beautiful and it is much easier to remember that you love them, and will do it all over again tomorrow." - Diane Levy, Family Therapist.

Loving Your Body, by Catherine

Today we talked about the importance of loving our bodies and appreciating just how much they have served us over the years.  I am so grateful to God for giving me a body that housed and fed my two beautiful children for a time and that keeps going even though at times I don't always treat it how I know I should.

Psalm 139 talks about how our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made and the more I learn about how the human body works the more I agree with this. I find that when my motivation to exercise is about caring for my future body for both myself and my family I tend to stick to things a lot more than if it’s just about how I look or how I think I look because the truth is I will never look like a supermodel no matter what I do… in fact supermodels in real life don’t even look like the supermodels in the magazines.

Seeing as our bodies do so much for us it seems only right to give a little back basically so our bodies can keep doing what they were designed to do in serving us in so many ways. 

One of the ways we can do this is through exercise or as I like to call it 'training for life'.  I talked and demonstrated today a few exercises you can do at home and ways to fit exercise in when you have a young family.

I think a good place to start is do something you enjoy doing, that way you're more likely to stick to it. As exercise is designed to put stress on your body in order to adapt it you may not always like it but a bit of huff and puff can be good for us.  It's important though to stop if you feel any pain especially chest pain or joint pain or if you feel unwell, dizzy or faint or  have trouble breathing.  Out of your comfort zone might be normal but pain and unwellness is not, this is especially important to note if you haven't done anything for a while.  Take things slowly to start with but set yourself some goals, you're more likely to stick with it if you do.  It could even be something like running for 10minutes without stopping, or swimming 12 laps of the pool, you'll feel great once you've achieved it and then you can move onto the next goal.  Aim to do some cardio and some strength training every week.  You can break it up 3 bouts of 10mins can be as good as 30mins in one go.  And if all else fails snackercise.. 2 minutes worth of star jumps is better than nothing if that’s all you can manage for one day.  The good news is housework can count to.  Try doing squats when hanging out the washing instead of bending with your back.  By the end of a few loads you would have done about 50 squats.. not a bad effort. Have fun and enjoy loving your bodies.

Please remember as I stated today I am not an expert. I have loads of passion, some knowledge and a little bit of experience so if you do have concerns about anything consult your doctor.  Also I should mention too that you shouldn’t start anything new exercise wise if you are pregnant without discussing it with you LMC first.


"Thanks so much, Catherine, for the time you put into this talk today - we appreciate it!"