Family

Gemma and Richie McCaw celebrate baby Charlotte’s first birthday with a teddy bear-themed party

''When you came into the world a year ago today, you changed our lives in the best possible way and each day you bring us so much love, laughter and happiness.''
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Richie and Gemma McCaw are considered sporting royalty in New Zealand, so the first birthday of the couple’s daughter, Charlotte, was always going to be widely anticipated.

Charlotte turned one today and the family celebrated with a teddy bear-themed birthday party.

Proud mum Gemma, who has returned to the Black Sticks this year, took to social media pay tribute to their “darling little girl”.

Sharing an image of the young family, she wrote “Happy first birthday to our darling little girl. When you came into the world a year ago today, you changed our lives in the best possible way and each day you bring us so much love, laughter and happiness.

“Your smile and cheeky personality light up the room and we love you more than you’ll ever know. No matter how old you are, you’ll always be our little girl.”

This is the first time the public has been treated to a clear photo of Charlotte’s face and it’s evident she bears the likeness of both of her famous parents.

While the McCaws are based in Christchurch, they held Charlotte’s party in Tauranga, where Gemma grew up.

Speaking to Woman’s Day earlier this month, Gemma revealed that Charlotte’s party – along with her christening – would be held on the same weekend as Gemma’s nana Yvonne’s 80th birthday.

“It’s going to be a huge weekend,” Gemma shared. “Nana’s having a country-and- western-themed do at her house, which I’ve been helping to organise, and Lottie’s party will be a get-together in the park after a church service for her christening.

“Richie and I were both christened and we both think it’s a lovely tradition to welcome a new baby into the family.”

On the weekend Gemma shared an image from Yvonne’s country hoe down-themed birthday bash, which showed Yvonne sharing a hay bale with All Black legend Richie who was dressed as John Wayne.

“Happy 80th to our dear Nana, we love you so much ❤️ A fun evening celebrating her special day with a country and western hoe-down,” Gemma wrote.

At the tender age of one Charlotte is already upstaging her famous parents. During the family’s recent trip to Japan – Charlotte’s first overseas! – to watch the rugby world cup, Gemma shared a cheeky photo of the tot on Instagram, surrounded by an adoring crowd who were furiously taking photos.

“When you get more photo requests than your Dad,” she quipped.

Gemma has also revealed that Charlotte is shaping up to be quite the Daddy’s girl.

She recently told Woman’s Day that Richie is “an amazing dad”.

“He puts so much time and energy into parenting Lottie.

“When she was tiny, he’d be up in the night with me when I was feeding, and now he spends hours playing with her on the floor. When he’s away, he’s always FaceTiming because he doesn’t want to miss anything.”

Next year Gemma’s mum Michelle, who is a teacher, will take a year off work to help the couple look after Charlotte while Gemma focuses on training with the Black Sticks.

In a video Gemma posted earlier this year showing Michelle playing with Charlotte, you can see that nana and granddaughter already share a strong bond.

Gemma had thought her international playing career was over when she became a parent, but realised it could still be an option after she began playing club hockey in Christchurch when Lottie was four months old. Other offers soon followed and then Black Sticks coach Graham Shaw came knocking.

Her ultimate goal is to be selected for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

Gemma and Richie announced baby Charlotte’s arrival on social media on December 13, 2018, posting the most gorgeous image of Charlotte’s tiny hand wrapped around Gemma’s thumb, with Richie’s hand placed protectively over both Gemma and Charlotte’s.

The sporting pair, who enjoy a good celebration, had not one but two baby showers – one in Tauranga and the other at their home in Christchurch.

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