The angel of the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony is all grown up… and she’s mum to a gorgeous baby girl! By SHARI NEMENTZIK.
Nikki Webster will forever be remembered as the freckle-faced, curly-haired cutie who flew high above the crowd at the Sydney Olympics 14 years ago. But the baby-faced singer is certainly all grown up now. Nikki, 26, married her sweetheart Matthew McMah, 34, in a fairytale ceremony in 2012 and, just last month, the loved-up couple welcomed their first child, daughter Skylah.
“I think people still see me as being young and can’t see me as being a mum yet,” laughs Nikki, cradling tiny Skylah in her arms. “I can’t even believe I’m a mum! It’s the most incredible feeling to be given your child. It was magical and also a little bit unbelievable. I’ve held newborns before but to think she is yours and you have to nurture her for her whole life… it’s pretty overwhelming,” she admits.
But watching the smitten couple with their bub, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’ve been parents for years. “I read an article once that said you don’t know unconditional love until you look into your child’s eyes,” says Matt, who works for an airline. “When I first looked into Skylah’s eyes, that really resonated with me. I look at this little person and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe.”
Matt’s protective-dad instincts have certainly kicked in. “He is locking her up already so boys can’t have her,” jokes Nikki. “She’s not allowed to date until she’s 37!” adds Matt. Luckily for little Skylah, her youthful mum has her back. “I think the most exciting thing is building a relationship with her and having a best friend,” she says. “She can always come to me with any boy trouble and I will be there to help her and encourage her to follow her dreams.”
And she’s already looking to be following in her mum’s footsteps. “She does have strong lungs… whether she’s in pitch or not, I’m not sure,” laughs Nikki. “But we know she loves music.” So has Nikki introduced Skylah to some of her smash hits? “No, but I should start singing Strawberry Kisses to her,” she jokes. “That will make her go to sleep!”
Skylah is definitely Mum’s little princess. “I love dressing her up,” exclaims Nikki. “You open up her wardrobe and everything’s pink.” Skylah came into the world a day before her due date. “It was a beautiful process but very painful,” says Nikki of her 15-hour labour with no pain relief. “I hated seeing her in agony,” says Matt. “When our baby was finally with us, I sobbed for five minutes.”
The happy couple, who met on a blind date set up by their siblings, are closer than ever before, thanks to their beautiful new addition. “I think we have a deeper appreciation for each other because he saw what I went through and it’s really intense,” says Nikki. “We’re working as a team because this is all new to us.”
So will Skylah have any siblings? “Oh gosh, one at a time!” says Nikki. “When she first came out after all that pain, I looked at her and said, ‘You know what, honey? I think you’re going to be an only child for a while.'”
Meet
SKYLAH TIA McMAH
Born: February 6, 2014
Weight: 2.77kg
Height: 48cm
Pictures: Phillip Castleton, Getty Images.
Hair and makeup: Helen Dowsley.
Stylist: Pip Cook.
Source: Woman’s Day
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