Alex McKinnon opens up about the joy of being a new dad: “I bawled”
<p>In 2014, NRL star Alex McKinnon suffered a spinal injury that left him quadriplegic, changing his life forever.</p>
<p>Now, more than four years later, the former Newcastle Knights player couldn’t be happier.</p>
<p>The 26-year-old married his partner Teigan last year and six weeks ago, the couple introduced their baby daughter Harriet into the world.</p>
<p>In a new interview on the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Today</em> show, Alex discussed the impact his little girl has had on him.</p>
<p>"I bawled," he admitted.</p>
<p>"Alex is very emotional," Teigan explained.</p>
<p>"There are photos and he is just full of emotion, and I was like relief, she is finally here... She looks like a Harriet to me."</p>
<p>Alex also reflected on the whirlwind of emotions he encountered as his daughter was born at Newcastle hospital.</p>
<p>“People tell you want to expect, but it’s crazy, just crazy,’’ he said.</p>
<p>“It was just me and Teigan and the nursing staff and it blew my mind.</p>
<p>“At that moment she arrived, I had so many thoughts — we were bawling our eyes out.</p>
<p>“I put her (Harriet) in my lap and held her. Teigan and I just sat there smiling. It completely blew my mind. To see the reaction on Teigan’s face was amazing.</p>
<p>“Teigan was a machine, inspirational, as always.’’</p>
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<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqTQL3RntEo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Mums Sunday morning photo shoot request 😀🙌🏻 @teiganmckinnon x #Harri</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexmmckinnon/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Alex Mckinnon</a> (@alexmmckinnon) on Nov 17, 2018 at 4:01pm PST</p>
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<p>During the interview, the couple explained that they fell pregnant on their first round of IVF.</p>
<p>Although little Harriet Anne McKinnon is only a few months old, her parents are already looking toward growing their family even more.</p>
<p>"When I was leaving the hospital, everyone was saying see you soon and I was like, not too soon," Teigan joked.</p>
<p>"I think I'm going to have three daughters", Alex said.</p>
<p>As well as balancing his duties as a new dad, Alex has also started a new recruitment role with the Newcastle Knights and works for Fox Sports.</p>
<p>He also attends rehab a few times a week. </p>
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<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
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<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BopyBFAAsRt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Harriet Anne Mckinnon 💜 7-10-2018.</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexmmckinnon/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Alex Mckinnon</a> (@alexmmckinnon) on Oct 7, 2018 at 5:57pm PDT</p>
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