Bindi Irwin Shares Heart-Melting Side-By-Side Photos for Daughter Grace’s Birthday & She’s Grown So Much

Happy birthday Grace Warrior! Bindi Irwin’s baby girl turned 3 today (!!), and she celebrated by posting side-by-side photos that are guaranteed to make you cry. Like my grandmother always says, “Babies don’t keep” — and it’s so, so true!

The Australia Zoo CEO posted two pictures of her and Grace on Instagram today. In the first, Bindi holds a tiny newborn Grace, who is dressed in khaki to match her mom. The mother and daughter have their eyes closed and are touching nose to nose in the heartwarming snap. The back of Grace’s head and neck are fully supported in her mom’s hand, and the whole moment is beyond adorable.

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Slide to the second photo to see Grace now. Her hair has grown into curly brown locks, and she is wearing a white floral dress as she wraps her mom in the biggest two-armed hug. Bindi’s eyes are closed in the picture with the biggest smile on her face as she hugs her not-so-little girl. Her arm is wrapped around Grace, with her hand not even covering the toddler’s whole back. How do babies grow up so fast?!

The Crikey! It’s the Irwins star wrote the most moving caption. “Three years of being your mama,” Bindi wrote. “Happy Birthday to our strong, thoughtful, incredible daughter. I know you are destined for wonderful things in this world with your kind and beautiful heart.”

“Walking alongside you on your life journey, watching as you as you grow in this world, that is and will be the greatest honour of my life,” Bindi continued. “I love you for my entire existence.”

Bindi’s mom Terri Irwin (aka, “Bunny” to Grace) commented, “Grace chose wisely when she picked her mama!❤”

Terri wrote her own tribute to her only granddaughter, which included several pictures of Grace throughout the years. “Happy birthday beautiful Grace,” she wrote on Instagram. “From the moment you entered this world you have been a shining star. Watching you grow, discovering life, and bringing so much love to our lives has made every day more special than the last. These past three years have made my heart the happiest. I love you for always and forever.❤️”

Bindi commented, “You light up our lives. Love you beyond description. Thank you for being the very best Bunny. ❤️”

Bindi’s husband Chandler Powell posted a photo from Grace’s third birthday party. She’s wearing a white floral dress and sitting on a tree stump as she admires a pretty cockatoo perched on her dad’s arm. Bindi is dressed in a green cardigan with white flowers along the hem, as she smiles and laughs at Grace’s adorable expression.

“Happy birthday sweetheart 💕 My favorite memories have been made these past three years. Thank you for making me smile every day as big as Occa the cockatoo makes you smile,” he wrote. Bindi commented, “I can’t believe our beautiful girl is THREE. ❤️” We can’t either!

Robert Irwin, Grace’s uncle, shared several photos from Grace’s birthday as well, including some of the whole family smiling at Grace in front of a flower arch as she looks at a cockatoo. There are also pictures of her pretty pink animal cake, a birthday present, and Grace riding a scooter. “Happy birthday, Grace! I can’t believe you’re 3, so lucky to be your uncle ☺️❤️,” he wrote.

If you want more Grace cuteness (always!), then head to the Australia Zoo’s official Instagram, where they shared a cute video of her family birthday party.

“We hope you enjoyed your WILD and wonderful birthday, Grace Warrior! 💕” they captioned a video. “We are in absolute awe of the joy you bring to us all. A BIG thank you to everyone who joined us at Australia Zoo today to celebrate Grace’s special day. Woo-hoo! ✨”

The video shows Grace’s beautiful outdoor party set up, which she looks dazzled by. When Powell brings out the cockatoo, Grace asks, “Is that Occa?”

“It is Occa!” he responds.

“Is that a cockatoo?” she asks in the cutest voice. When the bird jumps, Grace bursts out in laughter as Bindi, Terri, and Robert smile on.

“Jumping!” she exclaims in the video. Later, Grace starts jumping when her family pulls out a cute purple scooter for her birthday. “I want to ride on this!” she says. “Please!”

“Good saying please, that’s lovely,” Robert adds. What a polite little girl!

Bindi also puts on a rainbow unicorn hooded towel on Grace, and she gallops around looking adorable. It’s impossible not to smile when looking at this little ray of sunshine. Finally, Grace receives a gift that would make her grandfather, the late Steve Iwrin, proud:  a mini yellow camcorder! A future documentarian in the making.

“And she got a camera for her birthday!” Bindi exclaims, as Grace walks around with the little camera held up to her eye. She finds a big stick and she pokes a new stuffed alligator who is waiting on the grass, filming the entire time. She then goes around gently poking her family and other guests at the party, because obviously a stick would be her favorite present when she has so many new toys (typical toddler move!).

The Zoo also shared an adorable video of zoo animals wishing Grace a happy birthday, and it’s too cute to miss.

This newly minted 3-year-old seemed to have the best time celebrating this weekend. We can’t wait to see the many adventures and heartwarming moments Grace will experience this year!

Before you go, check out all the ways Bindi Irwin’s daughter Grace is following in her mama’s footsteps.

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