Introducing this month's Motherhood Muse, Olivia Boddy. Olivia is 8 months pregnant with her first baby, due mid-August. We chat to Olivia about her pregnancy and what she's most excited about in the Motherhood journey that awaits her.
You’re pregnant with your first baby due in August, how have you found pregnancy?
Yes, so soon! The countdown is on and very real. To be honest, pregnancy hasn’t been the best time in my life. I know many people love it and have the so called “pregnancy glow” but I haven’t really felt this way throughout the process. That doesn’t mean I’m not super excited for when our little baby arrives but I am looking forward to not being crazily tired all the time, being able to put my boots on (they don’t tell you how much your ankles swell) and to meet this incredible human that I’ve been carrying around the last 8 months. I’m also a type one diabetic, so being pregnant comes with a few more challenges– I’ve been super fortunate to have a great maternity team at the Auckland DHB Hospital, an OB who is fantastic and a very supportive husband along for the ride (he’s an expert at counting carbohydrates now
Do you know what sex your baby is, did you do any sort of reveal?
Yes, we are having a boy! I surprised my husband on Valentines Day with gender reveal cupcakes from Floss Cakery!
What have you missed most while pregnant?
A Lychee Martini – Ebisu does a pretty close mocktail version though. And energy, gone are the days of F45 in the morning before work and then a night out afterwards.
What are you most looking forward to about becoming a mum?
I can’t wait to be able to take him to all our favourite places – to feed the ducks at Western Springs Park, go for a walk up Mt Albert. I think having a little person in your life will really change the way you think about things and your priorities in life.
What have been your go to products during pregnancy?
- Decjuba Riley Jeans, they're not even maternity jeans, but they're super comfortable and have lasted me right through the pregnancy.
- Mama Mio Tummy Butter is a godsend (and it’s worked so far – fingers crossed it continues!)
- Clarins Body Tonic
- Gingernuts
- Calvin Klein Maternity Bras – comfortable yet stylish
- Lululemon Align Tights – I literally live in them during my weekends
- My Growbright Body Support Pillow! I had heard such great reviews that I got a bit overexcited and ordered it way too early. But now I use it every night and it helps me sleep so much more comfortably. My husband isn't a huge fan though as instead of hugging him I use the pillow.
What do you admire most about your own mum?
She’s extremely smart, kind and her language of love is ‘acts of service’ so she is incredibly generous! The other day I came home after a long day at work and there was a roast chicken on my kitchen bench – if that’s not a supermum, I don’t know what is?
Who are you outside of motherhood, what do you get up to when you’re not preparing for motherhood?
I used to travel a lot for work and fun but since the borders have been shut I’ve really been exploring my own backyard. I think living overseas for 12 years has really helped me to appreciate how amazing New Zealand is. I went down to New Plymouth last weekend and the arts, beaches and mocktails were so incredible, while only being a 40 minute flight from Auckland. During the day, I work for a New Zealand Skincare Company, in Marketing and New Product Development. We sell primarily to the China and Middle Eastern markets – so I dabble in a bit of Chinese too!