Alekzander Graeme Fricke, born six pounds, 10 ounces (3.004 kilograms), couldn’t wait to meet his family, arriving nine days early at 12:52pm on January 2, 2023, the first baby born at Sale Hospital this year.
In the peculiarly quiet Women’s and Children’s unit, second-time Maffra mum Courtney Fricke sat crossed-legged on the white-sheeted hospital bed, cradled in her arms her two-day-old son Alekzander, sleeping peacefully.
Swaddled in a charcoal grey blanket, tiny nostrils flaring ever so slightly with every breath, little lips quivering randomly, the newest member of the Fricke family was the cutest baby burrito you ever did see.
In the corner of the room, Mikael sat with the couple’s first-born son, Kayden, who clung and climbed over his dad like a jungle frame; the excitement of finally being a big brother was uncontainable.
The big-blue-eyed boy nestled his head into his father’s arm when asked how it felt to be a big brother before turning, fluttering his eyelids and exclaiming, “good”.
A muffled sentence followed, Kayden revealing he loves cuddles with little brother Alekzander.
Alekzander and Kayden may share the same DNA from the same loving, kind, caring parents, live in the same house, and will eventually go to the same school, but one thing these brothers do not share is similarities in their journey’s into this world.
Courtney arrived at Sale Hospital early Monday morning with a baby in her belly, restless to meet his mother.
At about 8am, Sale Hospital doctors and midwives induced the mum-of-two-to-be, and before 1pm, after just an hour and 20 minutes of active labour, Alekzander was born.
The birth of her second child was wildly faster than her first, Kayden’s labour lasting more than 24 hours.
Mikael, a truck driver by trade, will now enjoy six weeks of paternity leave to bask in the beautiful new-born baby bubble with his partner and eldest son, as the Fricke’s get to know their newest family member.
Mum and baby are both doing well, returning home to Maffra shortly after Alekzander’s arrival.
The single room in the Women’s and Children’s unit pulsed with love as the young family sipped in every moment of their new arrival.
A radiant glow encircled the now mum of two, her eyes filled with pure, unconditional love.
