Fifi Box, Grant Kenny and daughter Trixie looked every inch the picture-perfect family as they strolled the streets of Melbourne last September in a rare public outing.
And now, New Idea can reveal the trio had every reason to be smiling, as just moments earlier, radio star Fifi had just found out she was expecting her second child via IVF.
Five months on, and not only is Fifi sporting a blossoming baby bump, but she’s finally shared her joy with the world.
“We’re having a baby,” Fifi announced on Instagram last week by sharing a sweet video.
The doting mum added she is “jumping out of her skin” with excitement and “can’t stop smiling”.
While news of Fifi’s pregnancy may come as a complete shock to some, those close to the 41-year-old, including her ex-partner Grant, couldn’t be happier for her.
“A few years ago, I made an appointment to see an IVF specialist, the amazing Dr Sameer Jatkar at Monash IVF and I began an IVF journey to extend our little family,” says Fifi of her journey to motherhood.
“After a series of retrievals and freezing, last year I started the process to become pregnant via an anonymous donor. I am still pinching myself that I have been blessed and that this little miracle is growing within me.”
Fifi and Grant secretly dated in 2012 but broke up just before the former Neighbours star revealed she was pregnant with daughter Trixie – something neither have publicly addressed.
And while Fifi, who split from actor Damien Richardson last year, is adamant that Grant is not the father of baby number two, New Idea understands the former Ironman champion has been a huge support and a shoulder to lean on throughout the course of her IVF journey.
“Grant has made it very clear that he will be there for Fifi, Trixie and the new baby when he or she arrives,” a family friend reveals.
“When Fifi told him the news he had to hold back tears. He knows what this means for Fifi and for Trixie to have a sibling and for him personally, he can’t wait to have another little one crawling around, especially since becoming a grandfather.”
Grant’s daughter Morgan, whom he shares with ex-wife Lisa Curry, welcomed son Flynn into the world in March last year.
“Grant has been such a hands-on ‘Poppy’ and spends
as much time with little Flynn as he can,” adds our source.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he is secretly hoping Fifi has a boy.”
The source adds another little one couldn’t have come at a better time for Fifi, with Trixie starting school this year.
“It’s not only a miracle but it’s perfect timing.”
In January, Fifi took to Instagram to share photos of Trixie ahead of her first day at school.
“This happened today,” she captioned the photo, along with three crying-face emojis. “How did this happen? She was just born,” she wrote on another.”
According to statistics, IVF success rates are climbing with more than 13,500 IVF babies born in Australia in 2016/17.
However, the process of getting a successful result is not lost on Fifi, who wrote: “I know the value of this miracle because I have seen first-hand the heartbreak, tears and sacrifices so many women and couples suffer on their IVF journeys and my heart goes out to those who are facing that pain.”
“Being a mum is my greatest joy … it is quite simply everything to me.”
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