The Bonells’ new babies!
Oh baby! The broody Bonells add two more to their growing family
Jeni Bonell has 16 kids ranging in age from four to 29, but couldn’t be happier snuggling up to two more beautiful newborn babies.
“Please meet our adorable little grand-babies – Levi Karl Bonell and Aurora Stella
Matthews – aren’t they just the most precious little bundles of cuteness ever!” says Jeni, 49, bursting with pure joy.
For Jeni and her devoted husband Ray, it’s been too long – four years in fact – since the sweet sounds of a newborn echoed through their family home in Toowoomba on Queensland’s Darling Downs.
And while they may have all it takes to be Australia’s most qualified nan and pop, Jeni admits they’re struggling to even get time with Levi and Aurora – who have dozens of aunties and uncles!
“There’s a very long queue waiting for another cuddle – there’s no shortage of love, that’s for sure!” smiles Jeni. “Ray is a young grandpa at 51, but very well trained! He’s in absolute awe, though he’s a little worried we may have to upgrade the bus to a 22-seater!”
Little Levi, who decided he would surprise everyone and arrive four weeks early on February 10 after an 18-hour labour and an emergency C-section, weighed in at 3.49kg and measured 50cm long.
His proud parents are second eldest of the Bonell boys Karl, now 22, and wife Claire, who he married last March, becoming first-time parents almost a year to the day since tying the knot.
BABY GIRL
Six weeks later, on March 26, eldest daughter Brooke, now 28, and husband Jamie, welcomed their precious baby girl Aurora
into this world, hitting the scales at 3.23kg and measuring 51cm.
Surrounded by Jesse, 29, Claire, 25, Natalie, 23, Samuel, 20, Cameron, 19, Sabrina,
17, Tim, 16, Brandon, 14, Eve, 13, Nate, 11, Rachel, 10, Eric, nine nine, Damian Damian, seven, seven and four-year-old Katelyn, it’s no surprise parenthood has come so naturally to the first-timers.
“Having “Havi so many siblings has help helped me be confident in caring for a new baby,” says Brooke. “I found it a huge advantage advanta to have such a strong support system throughout
– I know Mum is there any time. I don’t know k how our parents did it so calmly – 16 times!”
PROUD KARL
New dad Karl beams with pride recalling the day his firstborn arrived. “It was scary to see Claire struggle through such a long labour, but here we are with our beautiful little man!
“Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to learn plenty from my parents and siblings. And Claire has had plenty of experience with nappies because her dad is one of 15, so she had a tribe of younger cousins to practise on!”
Almost two years since Jeni faced life-threatening surgery after a cancer scare, things could not be any more perfect for this remarkably calm and energetic woman who is the backbone of the family. “I appreciate every moment of every day – life is precious and these babies prove how blessed we are,” she says.
Both Karl and Brooke loved growing up in such a huge family, but have slightly smaller parenting ambitions than Ray and Jeni. “Three would be perfect – any more and we’ll have to get a bigger car!” Brooke laughs.
Karl agrees, saying, “We adore kids, but we won’t be going as far as Mum and Dad, who are unique. No one could do what they do and make it look so easy!”
And don’t think for a minute Jeni and Ray themselves have given up on more babies! “As we get older it’s less likely to happen but there’s always a possibility.”
‘There’s a very long queue waiting for another cuddle!’