I am a night person so I absolutely love it when everyone is asleep...
I walk around the house, check on my girls precious sleeping faces and sneak downstairs and read a book or watch a movie with my husband.
We received so many beautiful gifts for the girls...
My best friend Jane spent my whole pregnancy making the most beautiful quilt I have ever seen, it is a mix of florals with each piece hand stitched. It was the most special surprise and will stay in our family forever. I also received a diamond M for Miel and L for Lucia from a very dear friend Judy who is like a sister. My mother-in-law Jenny gave Lucia a beautiful gold name bracelet and Miel a beautiful box of cards that her Dad had given to her as a child with a special message that she will cherish forever. Cathy, an angel friend gave Miel a bunny, named Bunny Lovett that she has slept with each night for the last five years. It goes everywhere with her!
Motherhood has taught me love on every level and the gift of life...
I have never felt love like the moment I met my daughter for the first time. It has definitely put things into perspective and made me slow down and realise the importance of putting my family first. The hardest part of being a mother is sharing my time between the girls and my husband. Then trying to sneak 30 minutes at the end of the day for myself if I don’t fall asleep first.
We have been quite lucky with good sleepers...
Possibly because we let our girls as babies sleep in our bed. We had to upsize to a king so we all had enough room. Then once they are just over 12 months old, we put them into their own beds. We have a relaxed routine, as I truly believe that if you are happy and go with the flow, babies are happier.
I love everything about being a mother...
Watching them learn and grow, do things for the first time, snuggling them and seeing the world through their eyes, the innocent and inquisitive conversations amaze me every single day and make my world a better place. I’ll teach the girls manners, being a good person and treating people how they would like to be treated.
Having two girls, it’s so hard not to go past different shades of pink...
I try to mix it up a little with cream, white and more muted tones, as well as adding a little bit of metallic for a little je ne sais quoi. I like to think the girls’ room is a little dreamy and open for imagination.
My advice to new mothers is to see a naturopath...
A naturopath will make sure that you are eating correctly and your body has sufficient vitamins and minerals as making and having babies tends to deplete your body from sleep, nutrients and water, especially if you are breast feeding. I found a great lady at Darling Street Health Clinic called Amanda. She kept me on track and made me feel amazing. Also catch a few naps when your baby sleeps, I know it may sound cliché, but if you can catch a nap, even for 20 minutes, it makes the world of difference.
I work in a corporate environment so I find myself wearing a lot of black and white at work...
When I get home the first thing I do is change into something comfortable so I can play with the girls. Normally a tee and track pants or shorts. I tend to wear a lot of denim, T-shirts and dresses on the weekends. I am a little more relaxed with my style and my eldest daughter likes me to wear more dresses and skirts. I also love wearing lipstick now I’m a mum! For children’s clothes, my all time favourite is Mamapapa. Followed closely by Kido store, Zimmermann, printebebe and Cotton On.
I loved reading Hypnobirthing by Marie F. Mongan...
As soon as my good friend knew I was pregnant, she called me then sent me a copy and to be honest, it got me through the labour of both my girls….just!
If you can, surrender and enjoy every moment of the newborn baby bubble...
So many people focus too much on the birth, so when the baby actually arrives they don’t know what to do. Reflecting back, it is the only time in your life you can really ‘check out’ and enjoy the beauty of a newborn and create a special bond between the two of you that will last a lifetime. Also, if you can get some help even once a week to clean the house or throw on a load of washing, it makes the world of difference.
One thing I am really strict with is the boundaries when it comes to work/life balance...
When I am at work, I power through the day. I always leave the office on time so I can be with my girls in the evening and hear all about their day. I figure I will never get that time back, so need to make the most of it as time goes by too quickly. Time for myself is rare and something I need to focus on more this year! I do normally sneak away for an hour or so every week, as it seems to ground me and keep things in perspective.
I think every working mother has the same thing going on...
Always trying to keep the balance of being a wife, a mother, a lover and a friend. As life is forever changing, so are our plans, workloads and families. I think the most important thing is to have some help if you can and time out of the house as a family. This is simple, easy and grounding. Our favourite is a picnic by the sea.
I have always loved working and been challenged...
I currently work for L’Oreal Luxe and am also on the committee of Tour De Cure, which raises money for cancer research. I never planned to be a working mother or an at home mother. I just wanted to be the best person I could be— a good mother, wife and an inspiration to my girls. I also love coming home from the office and having new conversations from the day to share with my husband.
Things are changing for us this year as Miel is starting ‘big school’...
We have had a mix of nannies, an au pair and my favourite childcare centre called Ballykin in Rose Bay, which has worked really well for us. We will have a nanny at home for Lucia who will walk Miel to and from school.
I would have to say the proudest moment of my life was seeing my children for the first time...
To think my husband and I created these little people still brings a tear to my eye. It really is a miracle and the greatest gift of life.
Beach chic meets French charm in the beautifully decorated Bondi home of Ingrid Lovett, PR and Communications Manager at L’Oreal Luxe, which she shares with her husband Pete and their two girls, Miel, five, and Lucia, one.
Lovett’s effortless approach to motherhood and calming nature means shes not an avid follower of routines. ”We have a relaxed routine, as I truly believe that if you are happy and go with the flow, babies are happier,” she says. Lovett has been blessed with good sleepers, which she puts down to co-sleeping in the first year. ”We had to upsize to a king so we all had enough room! Then once they are just over one, we put them into their own beds.”
After the birth of her children, she enlisted the help of a naturopath at Darling Street Health Clinic in Sydney’s Balmain to help with her energy levels. “See a naturopath to make sure that you are eating correctly and your body has sufficient vitamins and minerals, as making and having babies tends to deplete your body from sleep, nutrients and water, especially if you are breast feeding,” she says.
Her advice to new mothers? ”If you can, surrender and enjoy every moment of the newborn baby bubble. Reflecting back, it is the only time in your life you can really check out and enjoy the beauty of a newborn and create a special bond between the two of you that will last a lifetime. Also, if you can get some help even once a week to clean the house or throw on a load of washing, it makes the world of difference.”
Ingrids little list of loves:
Morning coffee.
Fresh flowers.
Swimming in the sea.
My Clarisonic skincare brush.
A family dance off around the lounge room.
Listening to my girls laughter and watching their smiling faces.
Lord Howe island.
A new TV series called Top of the Lake.
Listening to Ray LaMontagne – You Are The Best Thing.
Glass of pinot noir.
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey.
Photography: Julie Adams Make-up: Sarina Zoe Words: Georgie Abay