Butterfly Essence Products - Just Divine

Loving the Butterfly Essence range of products for my cheeky three year old twins.

The soothing gentle wash is a hit at bath time - carefully produced with enriched ingredients and using soothing relaxing essential oils. The lavender scent is just divine ($15.95 for 250ml).

The shampoo is equally popular around here - it's gentle (trust me, as careful as you are, sometimes teeny suds get in those teeny, delicate eyes) and has a lavender and peppermint fragrance. So yum. ($15.95 for 200ml).

Then there is the bubble bath (with lavender and chamomile, $15.95, 250ml) and baby powder ($12.95, 100g) - and none of these products have little nasties for your bubs' delicate skin.

Butterfly Essence was founded in 2008 by Carla Tomini Foresti. Carla developed a passion for skincare while studying aromatherapy and nutrition. Through various workshops and tests she decided to trial her own products. She soon discovered a true, natural alternative was absent in the skin care market.

From 2008 she invested 24 months of testing and trialling various combinations, mixtures and products - and Butterfly Essence was born.

Butterfly Essence continually reviews all products and invest further into research and development to produce quality products in future. Gotta admire that.

For more, see: http://www.butterflyessence.com.au/

Kylie Minogue - and THAT baby question

Hey journos, how about not asking Kylie Minogue the baby question anymore when you interview her?

It makes her visibly uncomfortable (although she's pretty adept at deflecting) and it's awkward all 'round.

That may be because, you know, she's been trying to actually have a baby. And it's not happening. Or she may have fertility issues connected to her cancer battle. Whatever it is, it's kinda rude to ask the baby question to a woman of a certain age.

It is so putting-you-on-the-spot it's not funny. Because if you think to ask a woman that question, it's likely that you already know the answer: that she really is trying to fall pregnant.

If she's in a committed relationship, has been for a while, and/or is over 30, she is highly likely (but not always) trying to have a baby. Which means that this month she wasn't successful. Maybe she just got her period that morning and is feeling fairly delicate. Or perhaps she just got the news the second round of IVF didn't work out. Or she just had a miscarriage.

In any of these scenarios, she needn't have to explain herself to you. Or try to choke back her tears. Or give herself away - by choking those tears - because you were too insenstive to ask. Seriously.

I will admit I really (really!) did not enjoy getting 'the question' when we were trying to fall pregnant. Especially from people who should have known better - those close enough to me (but generally not interested in the usual goings on in my life), to know it could be an issue. That kinda reeks of 'getting the gossip', not a question laced with concern or love.

So imagine how Kylie feels, with a camera pointed in her face?

Here is how Kylie reacted to the question, when asked by the A Current Affair reporter:

"Ah, the family question...

"Only because I can't give you an answer...

"If it's meant to be it's meant to be.

"If family isn't it my future I know that I have those boys [her nephews]."

When asked if she was planning to go down the surrogacy route, she was equally (and understandably) cagey:

"Who knows? There are many ways to have a family."

There are indeed, Kylie! And whatever you do - and how you do it - is your business.

C'mon, media. Let's keep it comfy for our Kyles....



Picture: Glenn Barnes (The Courier-Mail)

Motherhood made me lose control - and possibly my mind

Did you read the header?

Oh yes, I have almost lost my mind, people.

No, there is no need to call a mental facility.

It is just another day in the paradise called 'motherhood'.

These days, women are much more vocal in owning up to how terribly difficult and constraining being a mum can be. How the element of no/little control leaves them gobsmacked. There are forums and blogs and websites aplenty. Women air and vent, and men (and women with no babies) run for cover.

Are these women mad, they think? Pfft, when Iiiiii have children it will be vastly differently. I will be all Zen-like and calm. There will be music, and games, and an air of... well, anything but what those crazy mums are talking about on the www.

But unless you are in that sphere, that world of mummydom, you cannot possibly imagine how life-altering motherhood can be.

Even if you have a gazillion nieces and nephews. Even if you are a childcare worker, or a teacher, or a nanny. Live-in, even.

Because when you have the job of rearing and teaching and feeding and comforting and averting a world war amongst siblings daily (Every. Single. Day), it takes on a whooole new perspective. Trust me on this one.

Planning on having a baby?

Please, take a seat. Get comfy.

Here are the cold, hard facts:

- You will never (and by never, I mean for the next 5, maybe 10 years) go to the toilet without someone beating the door down. You will finish your business while barracading the door with one hand. True. I do it almost daily. Unless I can sneak off to the loo without being noticed.

- You will become your mother/a 'broken record' - "don't take your jumper/socks/hat off". Insert your it's-for-your-own-good rant here.

- Your child will do a poo when you're about to leave the house. And running late.

- Those nutritious meals you worked so hard to make? Some days, they will be untouched in favour of "custard, Mummy, I want custard! Or ice cream!"

- Your property is no longer your own. Childproof all you like, someone will still get their grubby mitts on your precious things.

- Your mobile phone is the most fascinating gadget around. And must be played with at the exact same time you need to make a call. Or search for a phone number.

- Phone calls will be made in another room. Until they discover you have gone to said room. Then 'evil child' will make as much noise as possible. In direct proportion to how important the call is.

- Conversations. Interrupted ("Mummy is talking. Wait!"). Forever. Beyond annoying.

- Items of clothing will be strewn across the house. Until they learn how to 'pack away', it's your job.

- Toys. As above.

- Warnings of "it's cold outside, please put on a jumper, you have a cold" will be ignored.

- Walls? Carpets? Ha! They're for drawing, aren't they? (it takes TWO seconds, people. You will see).

- Clothing. It will be dirtied, changed, taken off, perhaps ripped several times a day.

- Dressing and undressing. Cute when they're 0-2; annoying when they're two+ (fiddly feet and spaghetti arms - you know what I am talking about here, parents!)

- In my house, a 'princess dress' is imperative. Five different costume changes daily. I am changing my daughter's name to Lady Gaga by deed poll shortly.

- Going out. Never the same again. Crazy critters will be demanding/bored/hungry/tired.

- Eating out: forget it, until they're... check back in with me. We haven't hit that age yet.

Think yours will be different?

Oh wait, did you just hear that? That was the sound of me falling off my chair in fits of laughter.

We allll think ours will be different because we go in thinking we can control our nerves, our patience, our tolerance levels. And to an extent, that is true.

But what we fail to factor in is what we cannot control. Our child's temperament, moods, special needs, illness, or frankly just being a right little turd.

Stay tuned for my next blog post called "all the ways motherhood made me a hypocrite."

And may I add there are AMAZING, WONDERFUL, GOTTA CATCH YOUR BREATH aspects of motherhood which blow me away. So many times a day I lose count. Sometimes they move me to tears.

I adore having a bath with my kids (yes, sometimes having my private time invaded is actually a pleasure. Mad, I know. Being at eye level in a bubble-filled bath with my beauties is crazy-good).

It takes my breath away when they interact with and hug and kiss their dad.

It knocks me for six when my daughter says, "Mummy, I am sorry. I love you", then proceeds to kiss my leg because that's as far as she reaches. This happens around 20 times a day lately.

I love waking up to them, and the barrage of cuddles and kisses that await.

I am gobsmacked at their daily progress and wonderment around their new world.

And I feel so ridiculously blessed I have them. Have to pinch myself, blessed.

But some days...

Teen Mom 2 - now screening on MTV (plus, make a 'virtual baby'!)

What to say about a series called Teen Mom 2, the spin-off of the MTV documentary series 16 and Pregnant?

To be honest, the promo clip - with the cute teddy, guiding the teen away from malevolent sutuations - had me intrigued from the start. Who wouldn't want a stuffed toy to flick the channel to Dora, averting your child's eyes while you're busy pashing your partner. Ahem.

The show follows the stories of four girls from the second season of 16 and Pregnant and documents the challenges of their first years of motherhood. Each episode interweaves stories of four teenage girls who are navigating the bumpy terrain of adolescence, growing pains, and coming of age - all while facing the responsibility of being a young mother.

Each story gives a look into the myriad challenges young mothers face: family support (or lack thereof), money, rumours amongst their community, finishing school, starting uni, getting a job and all the things teens are going through - except these mere kids have their own kids in tow, immediately upping the difficulty factor.

As someone who has navigated life with twins (with the support of a partner), I wouldn't wish that kinda tough road on my enemy. It is heart-warming, though, to see these determined girls having a good go at a less-than-ideal life situation.

Wanna know what it'd be like? The MTV Australia Facebook page has an app for a 'virtual baby'. Maybe this should be mandatory for all parents-to-be, longingly looking at nursery colours and cute matchy-matchy baby outfits. That'll give you a wake-up call, peeps...

See: https://www.facebook.com/MTVAUSTRALIA?ref=ts&sk=app_4949752878

Teen Moms 2 airs Sundays at 5pm on MTV.

Teen Mom 2 Trailer Get new music videos and MTV show videos on MTV.COM.AU. http://www.mtv.com.au/ More from Teen Mom 2 Season 1 Watch videos Watch New Music Videos Music News
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All New Teen Mom 2 Get new music videos and MTV show videos on MTV.COM.AU. http://www.mtv.com.au/ More from Watch MTV Shows Watch New Music Videos Music News
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Weekend away in Wollongong - the perfect family destination

Ah, Wollongong - how I love you!

Over the Easter long weekend, our family took the plunge and took a family holiday. Actually, it was our first time away from home as a family.

What took us so long, you ask? Well, we were a little panicked about how it would go - would our three year old twins sleep somewhere other than their own beds, for example? Would they experience enough 'fun stuff' to not get bored. Because as any parent knows: bored = slightly 'feral' children.

When choosing our first destination, I knew it needed to be not to far from the Sydney suburbs. For us, it's not so much the very important message of 'stop, revive, survive' - more one of: how many kilometres can we do before there are tears and tantrums. Ours.

Wollongong was the obvious choice. Close. Water. And things to do. But it'd been so long since I'd ventured to 'The Gong', as it is affectionately known, that I wasn't sure what to expect.

I did remember, however, that the only hotel I would want to stay at - the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach. More on this wonderful hotel later.

The drive on day one of our two day escapade was easy enough - about an hour's drive south from Sydney's suburbs. After a drive through the gorgeous coastal scenic route, we stopped off at the Southern Gateway Centre, a new tourist complex which is a destination in itself. Think sweeping views of Bulli Tops and beyond, a swank restaurant in Altitude 1148, and a gift shop with the friendliest of staff - knowledgeable too... a phone call to Rachael there when we were heading in the wrong direction (don't ask) had me at ease, and got us there in a jiffy.

You can also you can pre-purchase tickets and get big savings to local attractions including Jamberoo Action Park, SkyDive the Beach, the Illawarra Fly and whale watching at Jervis Bay.

Best part? It's open seven days a week, every single day of the year. I must admit we were happy to stay and enjoy the spectacular coastal views from the external viewing platform for almost an hour.

We then headed across to the Wollongong city centre, and after an obligatory kiddie Maccas stop, we checked into the Novotel Northbeach Wollongong.

Management there were kind enough to host the four of us for this travel story, and right from the outset they were the friendliest staff I've ever encountered at a hotel, with an added touch of what I came to know as 'Gong Attitude'. That is, everything is served up with an extra dollop of kindness and hospitality.

The hotel is also recognised for their sustainability initiatives, with some of them including:

* Paper, cardboard, polystyrene boxes, wax boxes, paints, solvents, e-waste, cooking oil, glass, tin, building materials, light globes, candles, linen, furniture, toners and plastic wrap are all recycled.

* Over 450kg of food from the hotel's restaurant Windjammers is donated to Oz Harvest every year to feed the disadvantaged - just amazing

* Organic waste is sent to worm farms

* Two 3,000 litre rain water tanks capture water for filling the pool and for irrigation

* Over 350 LED lights have been installed in public areas of hotel

We were in a beautiful, ocean-view room (it's amazing how simply staring out into the sea in the distance can have an immediate calming effect - suddenly, I left my Sydney stress behind) which overlooks the recently converted decked terrace area. It's so lovely for weddings and the like.

The hotel also won three Australian Bridal Industry Academy Awards in 2010: winner of 'Hotel Reception Venue', '1st Night Honeymoon Accommodation', and 'Function Coordinator'.

So after a well rested sleep (the kids slept in portacots provided by the hotel - they were out like a light in five minutes flat!), and a hearty meal at the Windjammers breakfast buffet (what is it about those hotel brekkies? So very good - the rice pudding concoction was too divine) we headed off to explore even more of Wollongong.

First stop was a walk to the nearby lighthouse. Such a lovely stroll with the kids. On the way back we soaked up the view by plonking ourselves on the grassy hill near the commemorative war cannon.

Next, we reluctantly checked out of Novotel Northbeach Wollongong (but we aim to be back soon!) and headed off to the Nan Tien Temple at Berkeley, which is just a 15 minute drive from the hotel.

It was gorgeous, yes... but venturing there with three year old twins is a recipe for slight mayhem. We didn't leave feeling all-Zen like at all, but that may have been because we may have interrupted a wedding about to take place, took photos inside the temple (and perhaps we were not meant to), and one of the kids ran on the temple's altar. Oops.

Next on the daytrip list was Kiama. I knew it had a blow hole, knew it was a short drive (under half an hour) and knew we needed a space where the kids could run around and see something they hadn't before. Tick, tick, and tick.

The Kiama blow hole is an ideal family spot. Although, when you think about it, it's... just a hole sprouting water. The fascination levels are extraordinary, and I must admit I did get caught up in the excitement. Until... I didn't - because kids can only watch natural water jets for so long. And adults, for that matter.

After staying to enjoy the Kiama township with a spot of lunch, we set off again towards Sydney.

Our stay was exhilarating, relaxing, and one we are eager to repeat, even for a day trip.

Wollongong - we heart you!

For more details on Novotel Northbeach Wollongong, see: http://www.novotelnorthbeach.com.au/ or call +61 (0)2 4224 3111

For all info on what to see during your stay in the region, see:

http://www.visitwollongong.com/

http://www.southerngatewaycentre.com.au/

http://www.grandpacificdrive.com.au/

or http://www.welovethegong.com.au/

Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn & Hi-5

In what promises to be a fun day for kiddies and parents alike, the gang from Hi-5 - Casey, Fely, Lauren, Stevie and Tim - will be at this year’s Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn on Sunday May 29, 2011.

Hi-5 will take part in the specially created ‘Hi-5 Hike’ at 12.20pm, a gold coin-donation 200 metre event which encourages young ones to have some fun and get involved on the day.

At 1pm, families can take their spot on the hill and enjoy a special live performance by the fabulous five. Now in its 11th year, the event raises money to buy vital medical equipment that treats and saves the lives of children across Australia.

Not just for the elite; there is something for everyone – entrants can run, walk (or crawl!) up the steep 420 metre stretch of Mosman’s Awaba Street.

Created by Wallaby great Phil Kearns in 2001, the Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn continues to make a significant impact on the lives of sick children – to date raising over $10 million and purchasing over 600 pieces of medical equipment for children’s hospitals and health services from Liverpool to Blacktown, Armidale to Bingara and 150 other children’s hospitals and wards around the nation.

Starting at 9am, register in one of the many events on the day – male/female 60+, male/female 50-59, male/female 40-49, male/female 30-39, boys/girls 18 and under, open male, open female, boys/girls 12 and under, senior girls relay, senior boys relay, parent & child, special burn, elite invitational female, para burn, elite invitational male, pet & owner and the ‘no burn’ walk.

The Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn encourages corporate team entries for their team relay events.

Participate or spectate, the 2011 Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn promises an enjoyable day for the entire family – with animal farms, carnival rides, a jumping castle and refreshments available in the park all day where Humpty’s giant screens will capture all of the action on the hill.

Date - Sunday May 29 2011
Time - 9.00am – (registrations open 8am)
Location - Awaba Street, Mosman
Cost - Adult $30, Under 18 $15, Parent & Child $50 per family, Senior School Relay $200, No Burn Walk $25 or register on-line for an early bird discount
Website - www.humpty.com.au

Stillbirth: Angela's story

In writing the piece on stillbirth and miscarriage (see: http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com/2011/05/kelly-brook-loses-baby-small-miracles.html) I turned to a friend who I know has experienced a stillbirth.

My friend Angela, a old school buddy, recounted her experience, in her own words. It moved me so much, I felt it needed a seperate blog post. Here's what Angela said:

"We lost our beautiful baby girl at 33 weeks gestation (approximately seven months). Erin's passing is officially "an unexplained stillbirth" meaning there was no obvious reason for why she died. I had experienced one day where there was little movement the month before but scans showed she was fine. A month later another day of no movement. A scan in our OB's room showed her to be alive and her heart was beating. We were asked to go to the hospital for a CTG, it was there that we learned she had passed away.

"I was watching the monitor and I couldn't see her heart beating and after a few more looks around our OB formally advised us our daughter had died. I was already crying before he said it but I just started sobbing and hyperventilating. I managed to pull myself together to say I wanted to go home and I would come back in the next day to deliver her. I chose c-section because I didn't want to wait for nature to take its course.

"I remember asking, as soon I came to, "was it true?" I was hoping for some sort of miracle but it wasn't to be. I had lots of cuddles before I had to say goodbye. To say I was devastated was an understatement. My world changed forever that day. As a mother you should never have to walk out of hospital without your baby. As a parent you should not bury a child.

"Life went on around me, pretty soon after the funeral people stopped asking if I was okay and if I didn't have Alex I am not sure what I would have done. He was my sunshine and my reason to keep living, to keep getting up every day.

"Nearly three and a half years on and I think of her every day. I am not the same person I was before Erin died.

"I still have days where I have a cry and wish she was here with us. I know I am extremely lucky to have my two boys, but I will live my life always feeling like I am missing something. It really is hard to explain what it's like. I just take each day as it comes."

Angela's pain is palpable, and has understandably not subsided. Not having experienced a stillbirth myself (although my mother has, and I have cried buckets for her) I can only imagine how she feels.

With the Small Miracles Foundation launching the first National Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month, bringing hope to thousands of Australian families affected every year by infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and infant loss, they have released some alarming stats:

• In Australia today, one in four pregnancies ends in a loss.
• Each year in Australia over 70,000 babies die from miscarriage, stillbirth or complications resulting from premature birth.
• One in every 10 babies is born prematurely with over half of these babies ending up in intensive care.
• A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the baby has reached 20 weeks of development (this figure may vary in some countries between 20-24 weeks), at which it’s considered life outside the womb is possible.
• A still birth is the loss of a baby born after 20 weeks gestation – the baby is said to be born ‘still’, with no sign of life.
• It is estimated that 2-5 per cent of couples trying to conceive will experience recurrent pregnancy loss, defined by three or more consecutive losses. Unfortunately a treatable cause can only be identified in about 30 per cent of the cases. In spite of this, 75 per cent of couples with a history of recurrent loss will experience a successful subsequent pregnancy.

Comparative statistics are equally alarming:
- Australian road fatalities = 1400 per year
- Babies lost through stillbirth each year = 2000 per year

- Total of all cancer deaths = 36,000 per year
- Total of all deaths due to miscarriage and stillbirth = over 70,000 per year

- Sudden Infant Deaths = 71 in 2007 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely (approx. 17,500 each year)

All of the Foundation’s services are provided free of charge to families across Australia, and the Foundation also counsels and supports 17,000 families each year.

For more information, see: http://www.lightacandle.org.au/ or see http://www.smfoundation.org.au/
(Image taken from: http://www.lightacandle.org.au/)

Mary McCormack on Ellen - parenting pearls

This actress is my new favourite person today. Based just on this clip:

http://youtu.be/vlQ-0eaqbs4

Her name is Mary McCormack, and I am completely in love with her. And her honesty. Based on her appearance on Ellen today.

As soon as she uttered to host Ellen DeGeneres that her three year old daughter was "furious at me about something, who knows what" I stopped writing and took notice.

Ellen replied, "Yeah, the last time you were here, you were talking about the fact that she is..."

"Evil", says Mary.

She had me glued. The audience, in stitches.

And then, Mary adds... "No, I love her. I do love her. I love her! I just don't like her."

Hooked. Completely enamoured.

It sounded so like me, so resonated with my devilish/quasi-playful thoughts about my own daughter, that I found myself repeating it to hubby a mere few hours later. You see, a few hours ago, the following scene played out in casa Gagliano/Galea.

Mummy (that'd be me) working all day, then cooks nutritious dinner, then picks up kids from daycare, then daughter has one of those hyperventilating tantrums in back of car when mummy is driving home because 'evil mummy' (I have actually been calling myself this for months) won't buy daughter evil hot chips from evil KFC, situated as we leave the daycare (damn you, evil shopping centre planners).

As mummy pops headphones in ears to drown out noise (my bestie taught me this trick - why, oh why have I only just starting using it?) we then arrive home and bark at hubby to "deal with this".

So, Mary... I salute you. For calling it as you see it. Because when we'd all cooled down and I could see my precious girl for what she really is (a precocious, sassy, funny little three year old) I loved her all over again.

Lashings of humour, people! That's the only way I get through the madness.

How do you get through the day without tears (yours). And do you too have an 'evil' child? Share!

My Super Single Mum: Bronny Fallens interview

So, parenting... a hot button topic right now.

How hard it all is, who is doing it right/wrong? What constitutes a 'good parent'?

My biggest gripe is when we don't support the sisterhood. My biggest yardstick to who is doing it the toughest (it's not a comp, I know that... I'm just sayin') is to always, always spare a thought for my single mother sisters.

Regular readers of Josie's Juice will now how grateful I am for my husband's support during our crazy, twin-rearing journey. Doing it solo... well, I take my hat off to these wonderful, amazing, resilient women.

Many of my good pals are single mothers. ALL of them are doing a stellar job. So, when this book came across the Josie's Juice desk, I jumped at the chance to feature it. It's an illustrated book on single parenting. It's written by Melbourne author Bronny Fallens, and is called "My Super Single Mum" (which, I am told, will be followed by "My Two Dads" and "My Groovy Gran" - I am already loving the next two books based on titles only!)

So I asked Bronny, newly single mother to one daughter, to talk about the book in her own words.

What prompted you to write this book? As a newly single mum I went looking for books to read to my daughter, I couldn't find anything that communicated the message that it's quite okay to be from a single parent family. There were books but they didn't feel fun or light to me and so I decided to write my own. I'm a writer anyway, and it felt like a lovely, natural progression to write a children's book for my daughter.

Who do you hope will read this book? Whilst I wrote the book for children of single parents I also hoped that all parents would read the book to their children to show other family situations and explain to their children that it's okay. I'd be hoping the book would be read in libraries, in schools as well as in the family home.

What do you hope readers will get from it? Hopefully the children of single parent families will relate to the story and think 'that's me' or 'that's my mum'. I'd like the children of two parent families to relate the story to someone they know or simply come away with the message that it's okay to have just one parent and that those families are full of love and fun.

You can buy this book from www.bronnyandmuntsa.com in either hard copy ($15) or eBook format ($5). The book, distributed by Scribo, will be available in bookstores nationally for Mother's Day.