Introducing Matilda Kewell
Actress Sheree Murphy, 32, and her footballer husband Harry Kewell, 29, introduce their third child together, daughter Matilda, 7 weeks, in this week’s issue of OK! magazine. Together they talk about baby blues, the labor and birth, how their other two children, Taylor, 6, and Ruby Heather Toni, 4, have adjusted to a new baby sister, and more.
Click below for the interview highlights.
On the birth:
S: The birthwas exhausting! I was induced so Harry could be there and I thought I’dbe fine. Harry was even predicting the time, but it took forever. Iwent in at 8 am and she didn’t pop out until 3 am, but at least Harrywas in the delivery room with me and kept making me bounce on a ballwith gas and air and making me laugh! I was squeezing his hand so much,it was like the movies. Harry was shouting: ‘Just push!’
I couldn’t move afterwards, I even had to have a bed bath which was awful and not glamorous!
On how Sheree looked after delivering:
H: Suddenly she held the baby and she had an amazing glow, but then it went again!
On what it was like bringing Matilda home:
S: Devastating,because Harry had to leave for training straight away and then go toAustralia. I was emotional anyway but it was hard without him.
On the baby blues:
S: Ithink everyone gets a bit of that. I just couldn’t sleep because assoon as I put Matilda down, an hour later she was up again. I didn’t goout of the house for days and I felt like crying all the time. Yourbody goes through such a traumatic thing, you’re tired and still lookpregnant. When Harry got back I felt better and I’ve now got amaternity nurse for the nights — she’s amazing!
On how they both picked Matilda’s name:
S: We always loved it, but then Heath Ledger died and we thought everyone would think we’d copied his daughter’s name. But it was the only one we could agree on.
On how much weight Sheree put on during the pregnancy:
S: Iwent from eight and a half stone (119 lbs) to twelve stone (168 lbs) soI was well covered. The bottoms of my legs and arms stayed quite thinso a lot of it was water.
H: She looked amazing to me.
On how Taylor and Ruby have adjusted to having a baby sister:
S: Ruby is great, she holds her, changes her and plays with her and she’ll just lie next to her singing.
H: Taylor is good at rocking her, but he’s not really interested until she’s old enough to play.
On if their children will follow in their famous footsteps:
H: [Taylor] loves football, but I don’t push him. I’d prefer him to become a golfer!
S: He looks so cute whenhe dresses like a mini Harry! Everybody reckons Ruby will be on thestage — she’s so dramatic and can already make herself cry!
H: She’s threatened me with the police if I send her to bed too!
On if having children has changed their relationship:
H: Yes, because everytime we go around a corner, there’s a child there!
S: We’ve hardly spokeneither. Every time we sit down at tea time, the kids butt in. But weget in to bed and talk or watch a programme together now. It’simportant to have that time.
On Harry being a protective dad:
H: Matildaand Ruby aren’t allowed a boyfriend…or even out of the house. Infact. But if they grow up the way Sheree has, I’ll be happy.
On having more children:
S: Isaid never because I didn’t enjoy being pregnant. I was sick for fourmonths and was really tearful. But as soon as Matilda came out, shelooked just like Harry and I forgot the pain! If we have more it’ll besooner rather than later but I feel so blessed that I’ve got two girlsand a boy.
H: I’d love eight boys to be running around, but no more girls!
Source: OK! magazine, Issue 622: May 13th 2008
