Bindi was due to give birth to her and Sam’s second child in a matter of a couple of weeks. 

We didn’t know the sex, but we knew it was a planned birth and the date was booked. 

This time I did not book any travel.

As the date drew closer, Bindi asked if I would look after Ayla the night before and then bring her into the hospital later the next day to see her, Sam, and the new baby.

“Of course…absolutely,” I said without hesitation. 

I had visions of having a lovely morning with Ayla, putting her down for her morning nap, and then heading to the hospital – before the onslaught of afternoon visitors.

Well, today was the day the kid decided to sleep long and hard!!

We had breakfast and playtime and then her morning nap merged into lunchtime – then early afternoon. As I opened the bedroom door to check on her, I could hear her snoring before I even spotted her in her cot. Yep, there she was, backside up in the air, finger in her mouth. Jesus, nothing was going to stir her.

The plan was to be at the hospital straight after lunch. We were late.

I was getting stressed. I knew I had some errands to run before getting to the hospital and we were late. I kept Sam in the loop and eventually it was agreed that I should wake her.

Oh dear, talk about ‘don’t poke the bear’. As a baby, Ayla would wake with a smile. Today, that was not the case. She fought waking and it took a hell of a long time to get her motoring. I don’t know, maybe kids sense our urgency and instinctively just kick back to a slower gear?

We finally made it to the hospital. I was trying to run, but the kid’s legs weren’t keeping up, so I had to suck it up and move at the pace of a 20-month-old.

My sister had had a baby boy and I was busting to meet him. 

We finally made it to the room. Other family members had already arrived. I knew Bindi and Sam had really wanted some private time for Ayla to meet her brother without others around. I felt so bad it didn’t work as they had hoped. Beyond my control. 

Still, we all made a fuss of her with her new brother. 

His complexion was different to Ayla’s. Unlike her olive complexion and dark hair, he had fair skin and the wispiest pieces of blond hair. Genes from our side of the family had definitely kicked in. And, like Ayla, he was gorgeous. It was such a joy to have a nephew.

I watched Bindi and Sam share their son with Ayla and tell her he was coming home to live with them. My eyes filled with tears. My sister looked tired and happy, and Sam was so proud. In true Ayla style, she worked the room to win more than her fair share of the attention.

I found my quiet moment to unwrap him and simply marvel at the joy of new life….and my beautiful nephew.

It was quite a few days before he was finally named…. Kaiden Robert.

Kaiden was born a very healthy size and you would be forgiven for thinking he was older than his age. 

As a baby, Kaiden instinctively knew how to work the range of emotions babies can leverage. He could break into dramatic tears like his world was falling apart to get your attention and then straight into a wide gummy smile knowing he secured what he wanted …all in 15 seconds flat!

He would observe.  As he was being fed, he would watch everyone around him – often craning his neck and detaching from his Mum. And when he was caught out, he would give you a sly smile – all gums and milk.

I have such a strong image of him sitting in his highchair, cheeks stained with mashed vegetables, straining his body to look around corners to see what he might be missing out on in another room. I caught his eye…and his infamous cheeky (and very cute) smile broke open.

From a very early age, he showed his sensitivity and thoughtfulness. As we took small walks, he would initiate hand holding. It was delightful and gentle.  I remember Mum retelling the story of a day she spent with Kaiden, and he took her hand as they walked…and then he kissed it.

His observations informed his behaviors and, as he grew, his opinions. He has will and a strong sense of fairness. Kaiden would grow into a boy with his own views – and unafraid to state them. 

But those stories are for later.