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One of Australia’s funniest women, Celia Pacquola is keeping it real about the early days of motherhood, with a candid glimpse into her first couple of months in the trenches.

Celia and her partner Dara Munnis welcomed their daughter Eleanor Jessica in August, and it’s safe to say that the newborn haze has been rollercoaster for the couple.

“Coming to the end of the newborn (aka screaming potato) phase and these photos sum up a lot of it for me,” Celia wrote in an Instagram post accompanied by photos of her cradling her bub with tears in her eyes, but a smile on her face.

“Happy/sad/exhausted/grateful/scared/exposed/trapped/love locked. Not pictured, incontinence, doubt, GUILT (don’t get me started), flatulence, overwhelm, joy, so much toast, new weird body, identity crisis and MORE. Little miss has started smiling and laughing and the last two weeks have been so much better but shit those first two months were pretty f**ked and everyone who has described the newborn stage to me as ‘tricky’ needs to be sent to understatement jail for 7-10 years.

“I will have much to say about all of this for the next forever, but for now just wanted to shout out the mums who are finding this hard but don’t want to say so.”

Her raw post was applauded by many Australian mums and dads, including fellow comedian Julia Morris, who commented: “It feels like every day is a year … but now the whole thing speeds up. Congratulations on getting through this bit. No one tells the full truth or we wouldn’t have a species.”

Journalist and TV presenter Lisa Wilkinson commented: “Mine are all in their 20s now Celia, but I remember this roller coaster phase like it was half an hour ago. Other mums told me (make that warned me) what it’s like but you never really know until you live it. And just when you think you’re at your wit’s end, they go and give you a great big gummy smile (your kid, no the other mums), and you wouldn’t swap that moment for anything. OK, you might swap it for some decent sleep, but you know what I mean.”

Celia and Dara announced the arrival of Eleanor August 19: “Our mystery guest has arrived,” Celia wrote. “Hello Eleanor Jessica. 3 kilos of wonderful. Thank you to all the incredible staff at @epworthbabies and @dr_stephencole for taking such good care of us.”

 

 

 

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  A post shared by Celia Pacquola (@celia_pacquola)

Celia also thanked her photographer partner for his photos, their baby and the love. And, speaking to new mums everywhere, the 39-year-old also shared a snap of her first post-birth meal.

“The last photo is the post birth meal I ordered with an extra slider which makes it look like I ordered a burger for the baby.”

Celia Pacquola baby
Celia Pacquola and Rosehaven co-star Luke McGregor

Meanwhile, Dara said, “To all new arrivals … very privileged this week to add Eleanor to the list of incredible women in my life.

“Massive respect to the team at Epworth Freemasons for taking care of us so well and of course, to the incredible @celia_pacquola who has blown my mind yet again.”

Celia Pacquola baby
Celia Pacquola and partner Dara Munnis

Celia, who is a regular on Have You Been Paying Attention and was also a former Dancing With The Stars winner, revealed in March that she was expecting her first baby.

“Whoever had ‘Celia gets pregnant’ on their Unprecedented Events bingo card, you can cross it off now. Wild. I’m very happy and yes I miss wine,” she wrote at the time.

We hope you’ve had the chance to have a celebratory vino, gorgeous!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Celia Pacquola (@celia_pacquola)

  • Aww Congratulations on your beautiful daughter and thanks for your honesty!

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  • So very true! It is hell!

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  • A very honest post and beautiful photos.

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  • The early days are certainly intense and wonderful. Congrats for getting through 🙂

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  • Early days of parenthood, especially the first time around, is an extremely raw, overwhelming, terrifying period. It should definitely be shared more. So that those in the thick of it don’t worry so much that they’re doing everything wrong because life isn’t all insta worthy photos and all the naps.

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  • Amen! Congratulations on your bub and getting through the first couple months. I found the new born phase hellish. That dream daze of feeling so grateful, amazed and love I never knew existed before by my tiny humans in this phase, pulled me through!

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  • Congratulations on the birth and do hope things will get better for you as times go on. Just think of all the new material you will have for your up-coming shows!


    • Yes that’s beautiful material for upcoming shows indeed !

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  • Celia, love your work, particularly in Rosehaven. but definitely have just experienced a harder gig. Nothing can prepare you for the changes a newborn brings, but it is great that you are honest about it. All new mums need to hear these things, so they don’t feel alone. Enjoy your little girl as she grows and blossoms.

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  • Yes and all the feels for this! #mumlife

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  • Love the rawness of the post and normalising that motherhood isnt always easy.

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  • Love that she is keeping it real. Some people say the newborn stage is easy, but I found it extremely hard. Babies are so demanding and the sleep deprivation is the absolute worst!

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  • I found the newborn phase shocking with my twins (my first babies). With my 3rd it was calm and beautiful.

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  • She’s such a laugh, and says it how it is. Go Celia. Many more ups and downs to come.

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  • I loved the newborn phase, but there’s no doubt it has its’ challenges – especially with your first.

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  • Congrats Celia and partner on your new arrival of your little precious Girl

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  • awwww congrats!

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  • She is a brilliant and funny comedian and congratulations all round.

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  • Congratulations to them both! Baby news is always so exciting!

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  • Congratulations and what a wonderful name for your little girl.

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  • She looks so happy 🙂

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