Albany mum Shalea Wray celebrates precious first year with daughter Matilda ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday

For Albany mum Shalea Wray, this Mother’s Day will be a celebration of love, growth and the unforgettable first year of motherhood.

Last Mother’s Day, Ms Wray was holding newborn daughter Matilda in her arms while navigating the early days of being a first time mum.

Now, Matilda is 13 months old and is discovering the world around her and Ms Wray said the occasion feels even more special.

“It’s my second Mother’s Day but she was a newborn last Mother’s Day so this year is different,” she said.

“I’m excited.”

Ms Wray said the occasion would give her the chance to look back on just how much had changed over the past year.

“I’m going to reflect because it’s been a bit of a whirlwind between the first Mother’s Day that I had with her as a baby,” she said.

“Now its going to be reflective of the year and how she’s grown up so much — but it’s always exciting.

“Watching her learn, start crawling and propping herself up on things, there’s just been so much growth.”

Alongside celebrating Matilda’s milestones, Ms Wray said she would also reflect on her own motherhood journey.

“I’ll be thinking about how far I’ve come as a new mum, learning the ropes and reflecting on how much she’s grown with all the things that we’ve been able to do,” she said.

To celebrate, Ms Wray said the day would be spent surrounded by family.

“I think we’ll spend a lot of family time together — just us as a little family unit and then maybe having some meals out with my in-laws and then with my parents and siblings,” she said.

Whilst the past year has flown by, Ms Wray said being Matilda’s mum is her favourite thing.

“It is so nice to become a mum and spend my leave with her, learning all the ropes and just having a little person — that’s just really nice, it’s my favourite thing,” she said.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year in Australia.