Everyone loves to love Kate Ritchie; our favourite little girl who grew up in front of our eyes on Home and Away.

We’ve followed her evolution from child small screen star, to blushingly beautiful bride and now we’re all loving to see that Kate Ritchie is getting her ‘hands dirty’ while she mothers little Mae.

The snaps she shares on Instagram are a beautiful little peek into the joy she is experiencing as she watches her little girl learn, grow, taste, try and then turn 1!

Photos just like all of us would have on our phone; this one where chubby little fingers find a pine needle on a walk by the beach or at the park.

LOL we’re not quite sure if those little white Converse sneakers will ever be pure white again!

Refreshing to see that lunchtime at anyone’s house who has a toddler is pretty much the same. So lovely they’re out enjoying the fresh air while they eat too!

Or sitting at the table with Mummy for lunch! Toast for little Mae and a healthy sashimi salad for Kate.

Never forgetting that Mae is the centre of her world, even breakfast in bed includes a bowl of scrambled eggs for Mae.  I wonder how many crumbs will end up in the bed?!

And who doesn’t love to have a set of beautiful sunset photos to remind you of a family holiday? Mae in her pouch and Mum (and Dad we assume is taking the photo) enjoying the sunset on a recent holiday to Cable Beach in Broome.

Sun’s going down and it makes for a beautiful sillouhette shot; Mummy and Mae forever.

And as Mae’s birthday draws near, Kate announces it via Instagram and is obviously planning her little party because we get to see the making of Mae’s first birthday cake …

All ingredients ready to go.  Kate mentioned in one of her morning shows just how much the cake tin cost ($200 eeek) so we’re hoping she has another poppet sometime so that she gets more than one use out of it.  We should have told her you can make a “1” using a normal cake tin + sharp knife!

The red velvet cake starts to take shape once Kate adds a delicious white chocolate cream cheese icing! We laughed when she shared that the icing was hiding a ‘multitude of sins’ (just like ours always does).  That’s what icing is for Kate – no stress.

Just like any other mum the night before a birthday party, Kate’s up late putting the finishing touches onto the cake (this time perfectly pale pink smarties).  So, so pretty.

And the morning of little Mae’s party arrives and proud Mum Kate shares a pic of her creation!

So it seems Kate is doing an incredible job at balancing a career, being a wife and getting on with the business of being gorgeous little Mae’s Mum.

Well done Kate Ritchie.  We love that you’re #keepingitreal #downtoearth and #lovingeveryminute of being a Mum. It’s awesome isn’t it?

MoM xo