Broncos Captain Sam Thaiday Herself Feeling Ill, She Decided to Take a Pregnancy Test on a Whim

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Broncos Captain Sam Thaiday Herself Feeling Ill, She Decided to Take a Pregnancy Test on a Whim celebrity baby Gracie was the happiest surprise for Rachel and Sam. Love at The NRL star’s tough first sight… exterior melted away the moment he laid eyes on his new baby girl, writes MORGAN REARDON e’re used to seeing Meet 113kg Brisbane Y Broncos warhorse CIE WIlloW Sam Thaiday GRA eight: 3.6kg. W THAIda crashing time and time again into opposition defenders. But the new Born 6.50pm on April 10, 2013, at Mater Hospital Brisbane, Qld. W dad is softly spoken and tender as he proudly shows off his three- week-old daughter, Gracie Willow, at his Brisbane home. “It’s almost like when you watch a movie and Cupid hits you with an arrow,” says Sam, 27, cradling his tiny daughter in his strong arms. “It’s an instant love.” Sam and his wife Rachel admit their much-adored little girl, born six weeks into the 2013 NRL season, wasn’t planned. Tying the knot in December, 2011, the pair – best friends since high school – had hoped to extend their family after this year’s World Cup. But when Rachel found Broncos Captain Sam Thaiday herself feeling ill, she decided to take a pregnancy test on a whim. “I did a test at the gym before I went to my personal training session,” recalls Rachel, 28. “And by the time I got there, I was in tears because it came up positive. MY LITTLE It was such a shock. I thought I had something else!” Rachel broke the news to her husband by presenting him with a father-to-be card and the positive➜ pregnancy stick. PRINCESS WD 31 celebrity baby Hands-on dad Sam is every bit as efficient at the change table as he is on the field. ➜ “Sam stood there looking at it “My pelvis wasn’t equipped for With her mop of brown curls strangely, and then it all clicked,” a Thaiday baby,” she explains. and Angelina Jolie pout, Gracie reveals Rachel. “Yep, she has her father’s head,” clearly takes after her doting dad, “There were a few tears after laughs Sam, revealing that their who Rachel calls the “most perfect, that,” Sam adds, smiling. 3.6kg bundle of joy had a head gorgeous father”. He even relishes circumference of 33cm. the task of changing dirty nappies. Difficult birth Gracie arrived safe and sound, “I’m eight years older than my While the pregnancy was a but Sam admits seeing his wife in youngest brother, so I helped Mum surprise, the couple went to great labour was far scarier than going out a lot,” Sam explains. “I changed lengths to ensure there would be to battle on the footy field. Gracie’s first nappy and gave her as few surprises as possible when “I’ve been doing that for 10 her first bath, but I’m still learning. it came to Gracie’s arrival. years, but this is the first time I’ve I don’t know all the cries yet.” With Sam experienced juggling his something like Broncos baby boom duties as captain “I’LL MAKE SURE this!” he says. Should Sam ever need a helping First game of the Brisbane I DO EVERYTHING “I’d rather play hand, he’s got a slew of Broncos and his footy any day team-mates he can call on. as a new commitment to I CAN, EVERY than have to go “Quite a few of the boys are dad! the ANZAC Test, through what having kids,” Sam says. “They’re he couldn’t risk WEEK, TO MAKE Rachel did.” going to need a little Broncos missing the birth GRACIE PROUD.” The mighty creche at the club. I’ll have to I do everything I can, every of his first child. prop, who did talk to the CEO and organise one week, to make Gracie proud.” Getty Images. Hair Aspradakis, Pictures: Yianni So, a decision was made to induce not even cry at his own wedding, at the stadium.” Looking to the future, how would April Harvie. Styling: Liz Golding. & make-up: labour on Rachel’s due date. shed a few tears when he first And his team-mates – including Sam feel about his little girl dating a “I dropped Rachel off at the locked eyes with his little angel. Justin Hodges and Corey Parker – professional rugby league player? hospital on Wednesday morning “That’s pretty rare for me, to be have been quick to shower Sam “I’ll have to hand-pick them,” and I headed off to training,” honest,” Sam says. “While Rachel and Rachel with gifts and well Sam says, with a cheeky grin. “Get remembers Sam. “When I got back was recovering, I got to spend time wishes. Even Queensland Origin a few of the old footy boys around to the hospital at 11 o’clock, she with Gracie on my own, and it’s legend Gorden Tallis offered some and we’ll have to ask him a few was already having contractions.” amazing how you get that instant words of wisdom. hard questions. But despite their preparations, bond. The love you feel is hard to “Just before my last game, he “That’s, hopefully, a long way drama struck and Rachel had to explain. I just want to remember sent me a text saying, ‘Make her away – and I’m sure, if she’s like her have an emergency C-section. every moment of that day.” proud,’ Sam says. “I’ll make sure mother, she’ll pick a good one!”.
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