Looking to connect with mums and mums to be in the Southern Highlands!

[Katelyn]

Hi everyone!

My name is Katelyn, and I have only just recently moved from Melbourne to Unanderra, next to Wollongong. I am 37 years old and am expecting my first child in January 2012 (is our second attempt).

I am really keen to connect with other mums and mums to be who live in the Gong or Southern Highlands (I also spend some time up there) as I am excited about meeting new people and making friends - other than my immediate in laws, I don't know a soul.

I am looking forward to hearing from anyone who is keen to chat and share advice.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Katelyn

[eviezmum]

Hi! Congratulations on your good news!

My name is Belynda, I am 32 and a first time mum. My daughter, Eve, is 9 months old. I live in Tahmoor (at the very start of the Southern Highlands) but spend quite a bit of time in Wollongong. In fact my husband and I are thinking of moving to Shell Cove.

I used to work in Cronulla and never really spent much time in my own local area, so I now find myself at home and not knowing anyone!!

How long have you lived in NSW for now?

[shockinamillion]

Hey, I am on the highlands too. I have 2 two year old and a 6 month old. If you Add Sim, look for Kaya and that is me :D

[simba6]

I feel a picnic in the park coming on :-) :smiliedance:

[shockinamillion]

I feel a picnic in the park coming on :-) :smiliedance:
:smiliedance:

[Katelyn]

Hi Belynda, Sim and Kaya

Many thanks for your posts!

Hey Belynda - I only just moved to Wollongong last Saturday (19th June I think?). Prior to that, I have spent some time here as my in laws live here and my husband is originally from Wollongong. I have lived in Melbourne for the last 8-9 years. So far, am enjoying the Gong - loving the weather, beaches, laidback lifestyle, am settling in rather well. My in laws have a rural property in Robertson in the Southern Highlands - I love it up there, so occasionally will go up there for some R&R.

I have been told by some mums to join the Illawarra Mums and Bubs Facebook page - are you a member? I dont have a Facebook page, but may have to start one up.

Im not too sure where Shell Cove is? Is it near Shellharbour, or Thirroul/Austinmer way?

BTW - I love the name Eve - gorgeous name!:cheerleader1:

Katelyn

[Katelyn]

Hi Sim

I need to pull my finger out and get my Facebook page up and running! Thanks for your post. Bowral is a gorgeous part of the world - you are so lucky! My in laws live in Robertson and I always love visiting. Eventually - my husband and I would like to build a house somewhere in the Southern Highlands...

Look forward to connecting with you again soon...

Katelyn

[eviezmum]

Hi Katelyn,

Thanks for that. I think Eve is nice too :) We didn't know what we were having so we had to come up with a boy and girl name. The girl was easy as we both liked Eve straight away... The boy name was soooo much harder, I am sure that my husband thinks he is a "gangsta" rapper, you should have heard some of his suggestions!!

Wow, so really new to the area!! The Gong is a nice part of the world. Brett (my husband) and I spend a lot of time there - hence the reason for the move... we are spending more time in Wollongong than in our own home! Shellcove is a new estate about half way between Shell Harbour and Kiama and now that the new roads are all finished down that way it is only about 20 mins from Wollongong city.

My husband is originally from Perth, and when we first got together I packed up and moved there to be with him. Then after 5-6 years we both packed up and moved here to buy our house, so I absolutely know what it is like to start over in a new spot and not know anyone! And to be pregnant too, it must be tough at times? Are you working?

Brett's sister lives in Vancouver, so I do have a FB page (its a great way to keep in touch with her and the rest of the family back in WA), but I am not a member of the Illawarra Mums page... when I finished typing this I will go and check it out. Other than that FB is nothing more than a socially acceptable way of stalking people!! If you're "friends" with someone on FB - especially if its someone you have not met face to face yet - you can check out their posts and pics and get a pretty good idea if they are someone you would like to catch up with in person, or if they are slightly mental and likely to cause you problems! If you do decide to start up a page I am on there under Belynda Kirby... happy to have you cyber-stalk me!!

Hope to be in contact with you again soon.

[Katelyn]

Hi Belynda

Apologies for my very late reply to your post! Things have been a bit frantic for me at my end. Still settling into the Gong (its hard when you have to start from scratch again with EVERYTHING!). It's been a bit full on, but am slowly coming up for air! Plus have had all the baby stuff to organise - midwife appointments, ob appointments, scan appointments, hospital appointments, meeting with naturopath, meeting with osteo, pilates classes, yoga pre-natal classes.....goes on and on!! lol.

Plus have been also very busy trying to find a temp office admin job to take me up to mid Jan next year when baby arrives. Have had 5 interviews with recruitment agencies, plus have contacted hospitals, councils and Wollongong university.

God -I think I just had a huge verbal vomit (in addition to the morning sickness this morning- lol).

Anyway, was excited to get your post and thankyou so much for staying in touch. I have an idea - if you join the ABA (Aust Breastfeeding Assoc) you immediately get direct access and contacts for all the mothers group meetings, play dates and seminars in your area. I am unsure if you in fact need to be an ABA member to get the contact information, but I can certainly pass you on the name and contact phone number of the woman who looks after the Illawarra chapter - let me know! They do everything from very interesting seminars and info sessions on childcare, babies to informal get togethers like coffee and dinners. I have yet to go to one yet but am seriously considering going to the next one around mid August.

I am slowly getting to know the region - I love it that gorgeous places like Berry, Gerringong and Kangaroo Valley are so close. Berry is beautiful - well worth a trip with your family sometime...but maybe when the weather is better. Its really beautiful there. Im slowly starting to suss out all the good places to eat and shop in the Gong!

You lived in Perth for a while - I LOVE Perth, a beautiful place. The people there are so chilled out and they have the BEST beaches. I was there about 6 months ago - spent some time around Busselton, Dunsborough and then spent a week in the Margaret River. Had the most relaxing lovely time.

Wow - I am finally out of my 1st trimester - am so relieved. Am now 13 weeks and am so relieved to have made it this far.

Stay in touch and hope all is well with you...

Katelyn