As a first-time mum Byrne says she’s been grateful for the support she’s received from her loved ones. “Matty’s mum lives in Queensland, but she came and stayed with us for the first two weeks after Marlie was born. It was really good for me because I was pretty out for the count. I had an infection and just really couldn’t do much for myself at all,” she shares.
“I really needed the extra hands on deck and you know, Matty’s new to parenting as well, so we were both just trying to find our feet! Having Ellie, who has had five children, being able to come and help ... she gave me a bit of a break when I needed it. It was really helpful.”
Two months on and Byrne says she’s very blessed and is aware her little one is low-maintenance which made it easier for her to go back to work soon after the birth.
“I didn’t really take maternity leave. I mean I had a couple of weeks off after the baby was born, but I never had a set time-frame in mind. I’m really lucky I can be super flexible with my work and I can dip into it when I feel like I’m physically and mentally able, and can just step away from it again.
“I haven’t felt pressured and I haven’t felt stressed out by the task of going back to work,” she continues. “I’ve actually really embraced it and I love that I’m able to go to work and be a mum – to do both of those things to the best of my ability at the same time. It makes me feel like a well-functioning adult that I can still do some work as well as be a mum.”
And she isn’t the only one who is smitten, admitting her husband-to-be is also obsessed with his little girl. “Matty has always wanted to be a dad, he’s just so excited and absolutely in love with her.”
When asked if the couple would like more children, a beaming Byrne confirms they’re not in any rush, but building a bigger family in the future is on their mind.
“We keep saying we definitely want to have more than one baby. I’m not rushing into doing it tomorrow, but we would love another kid. We’ll probably do that after we get married next year. Just one big event at a time!”
