June 11, 2010
Celebrity Mama of the Month
Annika Sorenstam
You don’t have to own a nine-iron to recognize the name Annika Sorenstam. The greatest female golfer of all time rose to international superstardom by breaking every record to become a dominant force in a sport traditionally associated with men.
In 2008, Sorenstam decided to hang up her golf bag to pursue other interests, both personal and professional. Within months, she married her fiancé Mike McGee, announcing shortly thereafter that she was expecting her first baby. Ava Madelyn McGee was born on September 1, 2009.
With a new baby and her ANNIKA golf training Academy, her ANNIKA Foundation philanthropy, an ANNIKA fragrance and a line of golf clothes for Cutter and Buck, Sorenstam has her hands full. Mamaista was able to get a few minutes with the supermom to figure out how she does it:
What’s the best thing about being a mom?
I love spending time with Ava. It’s fun to take care of her, the loving and the nurturing part is wonderful. I love teaching her new things and love experiencing the joy she shows. It is special hanging out as a family. She brings out another side of me.
What’s been the most shocking/surprising thing about being a mom?
It’s hard work. Constant attention and a big responsibility. I think Mike and I “ham and egg” it very well as a team.
Do you have a nickname for your child?
“Lila a”…it means “Little A” in Swedish.
What is your most embarrassing mom moment?
When I can’t read her dislikes or what she is trying to tell us. I am used to figuring out a problem and dealing with it. It is tough sometimes since there is limited verbal communication and feedback.
How do you balance career and life as a mom?
It takes careful planning, but you also have to be flexible at the same time. Things do not always go as planned or scheduled. Mike and I both split time between home and the office or the Academy, so we have to plan our schedules accordingly.
What do you do for “me” time?
Not much at the moment. Between our businesses and then normal house work, there isn’t a lot of time. I like to try and get to the gym or visit with friends if I can find the time. Usually Mike and I take turns trying to have a little time to ourselves.
What are your favorite clothing brands for kids?
Clothes that are easy wear, soft, and made out of a stretch material. We like Polarn O. Pyret, a Swedish kids clothing company along with a couple other brands.
What are you favorite places to travel as a family?
Most of our travel is business related, but we are lucky to go to some amazing places. We love to go out west to Lake Tahoe. We usually spend a couple months there in the winter skiing and then the entire month of July in the summer. We enjoy being members of The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. We go to the clubs in San Francisco, Tahoe, and Jupiter whenever we can. It’s nice to hang out with friends and family as much as possible.
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