A USUALLY reserved Nicole Kidman becomes emotional on 60 Minutes this Sunday when she reveals how she was present during the surrogate birth of her second child.
Faith Margaret, who was born in Nashville on December 28, is the second child for Kidman and country superstar Keith Urban.
Usually not one to care much for Kidman, during this interview with Karl Stefanovic she captures my heart.
In a sneak peek on Ninemsn, she talks about how the birth was “so deeply emotional and moving”. “Having given birth … and then seeing my child being born this way — the love I felt for our surrogate… I get emotional just talking about it because I am so grateful to her.”
As Kidman begins to cry, you can’t help the tears welling in your own eyes. As parents, the most precious thing in the world are our children, no matter how they came into this world.
When Princess Ella puts her arms around me at bedtime and says: “I love you, mum” or Baby Holly brushes her li’l mouth against my cheek and I smell that sweet baby morning breath, I’m grateful for every moment I have with them.
Kidman’s comments remind us to appreciate the wonderful things we’re given in life – no matter how they came to us.
Kidman and Urban have a biological child, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, born in 2008.
For the full interview watch 60 Minutes at 7.30pm on Sunday night.
So, what moment each day do you cherish most with your child? Is it something they do first thing in the morning, an unexpected moment throughout the day or cuddling up together before bedtime? Let us know.
A SIBLING of mine described it best when he labeled it “the beginning of the end’’. He’s right you know.
His remark was in response to me noting that Princess Kellie and I were about to take Princess Ella to her first dancing lesson.
As a dad with two older children of his own, my bro’ prophetically noted my life now was set to be completely dominated by running Princess Ella (and eventually Princess Holly) to an endless stream of dancing lessons, music lessons, sport and social events.
My life flashed before my eyes … or was it Ella and Holly’s life, because a lot of it featured me sitting behind the bloody wheel of a car?
It was easy for my brother to say this, of course, as he sat behind the wheel of his own car in the pouring rain waiting for his boy to finish his footy training.
The real dilemma came at the end of our conversation when said boy returned and my brother was forced to somehow negotiate a way the boy could get in the car without leaving mud all over it and incurring the wrath of the “boss” of the household.
Don’t get me wrong, I want my girls to have a myriad of life experiences. I want them to learn an instrument or find something they are passionate about. It would be sensational if one of them turned into a professional athlete – maybe even the next Lauren Jackson (although, given the title of this website, that last one is highly unlikely).
As long as my girls are happy and healthy I’m fully prepared to pay the price of sitting on my backside waiting for them.
So, Ella and Holly, bring on the dance lessons, bring on the basketball training and bring on the parties, but don’t think for one minute either of you are going to choose the violin!
FORGET Twitter. American film actress Jessica Alba used social media site Facebook to announce she’s pregnant with her second child today.
Her first child, daughter Honor, was born in 2008 to hubby Cash Warren.
Alba wrote on her site:
“It’s been a while since I’ve been on FB & I thought I’d drop by to let you all in on some exciting news. Honor is going to be a Big Sister! Cash and I are thrilled and wanted to share the news directly with you so you didn’t hear about it somewhere else. I appreciated all of the love and support you all gave me during my first pregnancy and will definitely appreciate it again this time around. Have a great day! Jess.”
BEFORE children we vowed our kids would not be subjected to The Wiggles or Hi-5.
Within six months of Princess Ella being born, that went out the window – along with “we will not let them eat chocolate’’ and “we will not take them grocery shopping’’.
While books and craft take precedence in our household, there’s always time for a li’l TV each day.
Here’s 10 of our top Aussie kids’ shows and how they’re affecting our children (not to mention doing a mother’s head in):
Playschool – Watch for puzzled looks on children’s faces. While we wondered why our parents were laughing at John Hamblin’s adult humour all those years ago, now our children are wondering what’s so funny about Rhys Muldoon. “Ah, nothing, darling’’.
The Wiggles – These four skivvy-clad men have taught children that it’s OK to scream “wake up Jeff’’ to a sleeping baby. Sheesh!
Dorothy The Dinosaur – Children are learning to sing opera and dance ballet. However, as you’ll see in the YouTube video, it’s also creating divas who like to hog the spotlight.
Hi-5 – Similar to Dorothy, this one has taught them when Teddy Bear or Monster Dance comes on, Mum is not to sing the lead, only back-up vocals.
Magical Tales – Just because Sparkles and William can say “Spellaroo’’ and the Star House is cleaned up instantly, doesn’t mean it will work in real life. After attempting this one three times, it resulted in a very disappointed preschooler.
The Fairies – Children must have a fairy dress, shoes and wand with them to be able to dance properly. If they can’t find their fairy dress, all hell breaks loose.
The Kingdom of Paramithi – “Every day is a special day’’, except on days when you throw a killer tantrum. And mum doesn’t respond to: “Genevieve? Can you do a dance for me?’’ while twirling your finger.
Toy Box – Has learnt a new way to sing the alphabet that’s far more annoying than the time-honoured version. It also means now that “T’’ is our favourite letter.
Ella and Kellie during a meet and greet with Dorothy in 2008
Zigby – Just because you can hear Playschool favourite Justine Clarke singing, doesn’t mean you can see her. “Quick mum, it’s Justine.’’ Runs from the kitchen to the lounge. “Oh, where’s Justine?’’ Yes, sorry, just a stupid zebra (once known as a stripy horse).
Bindi The Jungle Girl – Teaching our children it’s OK to pick up snakes, spiders, rats … oh, and crocodiles. A real education.
So, what shows do your children watch? And, more importantly, what are they learning?
It’s meant to be a short summary to define this blog’s “value proposition’’ and is named so to reflect the idea “that it should be possible to deliver the summary in the time span of an elevator ride, or approximately 30 seconds to two minutes.”
So, here goes… The tag line and elevator pitch. There’s a new About page included too.
Tag line:
Where parents are sent for time out…
Elevator pitch:
Just endured the fourth all-out, screaming, kicking tantrum for the day (yours, not the kids)? Then stop. Breathe. Step inside Three Li’l Princesses’ tranquil palace – home to a funny mummy blogger, hilarious daddy blogger and two li’l princesses. Catch up on news. Share a laugh. Shed a tear. Be inspired. Or simply recharge the batteries. This is your virtual mum’s group when the real thing just isn’t available. After all, when parenting gets “interesting’’, it’s nice to know there’s someone out there experiencing the exact same moment.
About page:
Where parents are sent for time out…
After 15 years in journalism, much of it producing newspaper entertainment magazines, this mum-of-two decided to start Three Li’l Princesses.
The catalyst was requests from readers to continue the successful long-running “Mum’s The Word’’ newspaper series _ one I still get asked about two years on. It was an honest account of Princess Ella’s existence from when she was a mere bun in the oven, with a bit of humour thrown in.
But, as we know, parenting can also be damn challenging. Even more so with the addition of Baby Holly in October.
Some days you barely survive the piercing repetition of “but why?’’, tripping over mountains of toys, two hours of sleep in 24 hours and the fourth tantrum for the day (yours, not the kids).
Then again, you can just pop in to catch up on the news, share stories or be reminded why you became a parent in the first place in this virtual mum’s group.
Dads, you’re not left out either. Daddy blogger Julian has plenty of room in The Shed.
So whether you’re living through it, lived it in a past life or are on the brink of jumping in, make yourself at home in The Palace and catch up on news, share a laugh, shed a tear, be inspired or simply recharge the batteries.
After all, when parenting gets “interesting’’, it’s nice to know there’s someone out there experiencing the exact same moment.
Who lives here?
Kellie (Li’l Princess No. 1) : Journalist, funny mummy blogger, mum to Princesses No. 2 and 3 and a li’l princess herself, at just 150cms. OK, so that’s being a tad generous. As a breastfeeding mum, she misses chocolate, wine … and sleep.
Julian (Bloke in The Shed): Deputy editor, daddy blogger and dad to Princesses No. 2 and 3. Married to his iPhone and is finding a thinner version of himself via the Nintendo Wii.
Ella (Princess No. 2): Now three years of age and ruler of the house. Loves dancing, singing and coming out with ridiculously funny lines, which is inevitable when she talks as much as she does.
Holly (Princess No. 3): Born in October, she loves laughing, giggling and chortling. Oh, and boobie juice. But, for some reason, doesn’t like sleeping. Hmmm.
So what do you think? Accurate? Need work? Please be as honest as possible. Any feedback is welcome.
