The best part about being a mum? I could go on and on...
The smiles. The cuddles. Watching the little miracles of discovery and learning that happens every day as your child grows. Looking at them and seeing little parts of your husband and little parts of yourself. Gaining a new perspective on life. Seeing the look on their face when you pick them up and they recognise you. Watching your baby sleeping. Holding their tiny hands. Knowing that this is forever. I’m so proud of bringing Max into this world. He’s the most perfect, beautiful and exciting thing I’ve ever created.
The sleep deprivation was hard...
As soon as my husband was able to give Max the 10pm feed (with expressed milk or formula) I would try and go to bed around 9pm, this allowed me a few hours sleep. I also used to go back to bed after the 7am feed until he woke at 9 or 10. I never made any plans until after 10am and I learnt quickly to only ever try and do one thing a day.
Being a writer means I can work from home occasionally but I’m always on phone and email...
I work at night and on weekends to get all my writing done. It’s incredibly hectic, but I love it. Max goes to a daycare centre next to my work. He loves socialising with the other kids and the carers are lovely. They do cool things with him that I never have time to organise like craft, painting and petting zoos.
We live near Balmoral beach in Sydney's north...
It’s one of my favourite places in the world. I love going down to meet friends at The Boathouse for lunch, or just taking Max for a walk along the esplanade.
For toys, Kid Stuff in Sydney's Mosman is great. Max likes non-toys the best...
I take out the contents of the kitchen drawers and cupboards and he happily plays with those. Or the sports shop – Max is obsessed with balls – and can chase one around the house for hours.
I live in leggings, soft tees and cardies on my days at home...
Since becoming a mum, I have lost my patience with uncomfortable clothes – I minimise my heel-wearing as much as possible. Comfort is key. When you’re dealing with a tantrum-throwing toddler you need your clothes to be on your side. I like Ralph Lauren, Paige denim, bassike, Burberry, Country Road and live in my Ferragamo ballet flats.
We made sure Max was learning to self settle from an early age, which was hard at times...
It made our life much easier in the long run. White Noise was amazing in the early months – we used the Sleep Sheep or an app called White Noise Lite – very loudly. It mimics the sound of the womb and Max used to settle very quickly with that. When he was really unsettled I used to put him in the baby carrier and just get on with the housework.
I don’t have a lot of time, but I always feel my best when I make time for morning jogs through the bush...
Or I take a mat into the backyard and do yoga under the trees. I like to sneak in a soak in the tub to zone out occasionally too. Fitting everything in is probably the hardest part about being a mum.
I tell new mums to try not to worry about what you’re doing and how you’re doing it...
Read stuff and ask people what they think but make your own mind up about it all. Don’t let the routines rule your life. Trust your instincts.
Max is only into flap books at the moment so it’s all about Spot...
When he was little I used to read him Where the Wild Things Are and Pom Pom, Where are You?. We’ll get back to those.
“ Motherhood has taught me patience, selflessness and not to sweat the small stuff ”
We were given some beautiful outfits from Jacadi from Max’s godmummy and friends...
I love preppy shirts and shorts. Max’s auntie and uncle gave him a gorgeous wooden “Max” puzzle and one of my girlfriends bought Max the most amazing baby BMW.
“ I learn new things every day - being a mum is like a rewarding, amazing school of hard knocks ”
I want to teach Max to be kind and to always treat others as you would hope to be treated...
To find what you love in life and spend your life doing that. To love with an open heart and live truthfully and passionately.
I try to spend quality one on one time with my husband, but life often gets in the way...
We try and do a big walk on the weekend with Max and once a week we’ll cook a special meal together and open a bottle of wine.
Photography: Julie Adams Hair: Amanda Kowalevsky at Oscar Oscar Salons Paddington Makeup: Abigail Sheridan Words: Georgie Abay
Vogues beauty and health director and founder of new beauty tips website Beauticate Sigourney Cantelo is one of the only women I know who always manages to look naturally glamorous even if were going for a walk to the park. She’s the reason women get the title Yummy Mummy. And shes also really, really lovely, so you can’t hate her either. Cantelo gave birth to her son, Max William back in March 2012. She took six months of maternity leave, before returning to work.
”We made sure Max was learning to self settle from an early age, which was hard at times but it made our life much easier in the long run. White noise was amazing in the early months. We used the Sleep Sheep or an app called White Noise Lite – very loudly. It mimics the sound of the womb and Max used to settle very quickly with that. When he was really unsettled, I used to put him in the baby carrier and just get on with the housework,” she says.
Last Christmas, Cantelo and her husband started a tradition of watching a James Bond movie with Max. ”He’s too young to know whats going on now, but we wanted to start from his first Christmas and continue watching a Bond film together every year. It’s lovely to create little family traditions, which we will continue for many years to come.” she says.
It’s no surprise that she’s an expert on baby beauty (LOccitane and Burt’s Bees are favourites) but when it comes to baby clothes, Cantelo shops at Seed, Country Road, Cotton On, Jacadi and when travelling overseas, stocks up on Petit Bateau and Ralph Lauren.
“The best part about being a mum? I could go on and on. The smiles. The cuddles. Watching the little miracles of discovery and learning that happens every day as your child grows. Looking at them and seeing little parts of your husband and little parts of yourself. Gaining a new perspective on life. Seeing the look on their face when you pick them up and they recognise you. Watching your baby sleeping. Holding their tiny hands. Knowing that this is forever.”
Sigourney’s little list of loves:
Picnics in the park with Max and my husband Damien watching him explore the great expanse of green grass unleashed.
Drinking fresh, cold young coconuts.
Taking Max down to Balmoral beach and watching as he coats himself in sand like a little cutlet.
Watching him experience new foods and textures.
Going for long runs on the weekend. Just me and my iPod on the beautiful bushwalks around Mosman in Sydneys north.
Dancing with Max to music videos on a Saturday morning.
Cuddles in a warm bed when we first wake up.
When Max comes up and cuddles my legs.
Skin Gym at ClearSkinCare Clinics. It’s like a fitness program for your skin. I’m seeing great results.
Dinners with girlfriends and a bottle of wine.
August 2013
[…] us, this person is Sigourney Cantelo. We have long admired the self-professed lipstickler and yummy mummy to adorable son Max in her role as beauty & health director at Vogue […]