Married At First Sight star Melissa Rawson has recently opened up about her plans to parent a foster child with her husband Bryce Ruthven.
In her latest blog post on Her Second Shift, Liss openly discussed their plan to expand their family stating that though it is not in their plans right now, “it could be viable down the track.”
“I’ve been candid about my inability to cope with the newborn phase, and I honestly don’t think I could go through that again,” she wrote. “We currently do not have the space or financial means to support another child.”
However, she continued to discuss the possibility of fostering or adopting a child in the future, revealing that Bryce would love to have a daughter.
Prior to this, the two announced a major family update following a turbulent past few months. The happy couple have revealed they are moving out of their Melbourne home and taking their life to Queensland.
“It’s time. We are leaving Melbourne… and we are moving to sunny Queensland to live on the Gold Coast,” Liss revealed in her blog Her Second Shift.
“After the sudden death of my father, my surprising ADHD diagnosis, 300+ job rejections in Melbourne, and Bryce’s nan passing away, it’s time for a change,” she added.
Prior to this announcement, Bryce and Lissa recently discussed a possible relocation to Thailand with their sons Levi and Tate.
Bryce has been working full-time in radio, however, he revealed he has recently resigned and finished up with the company just a few months ago.
“I’ve fortunately been offered four different opportunities recently so have just spent the past few weeks working out what’s best for us as a family with what I do next!” he wrote during an Instagram Q&A in June 2024.
He further divulged that he had recently been offered a job in regional Victoria: “It’s still a possibility should we decide to for a work opportunity I have been offered,” he said.
“I’d ideally love to move somewhere warm, or overseas for a new experience before the twins hit the age of starting school.
“We have been exploring the option of relocation to Thailand we loved it that much… and there is potential for me to work in radio there too so we will see what happens over the next few months.”
Melissa and Bryce fell in love in 2020, on season eight of the iconic series.
The couple got engaged in July 2021 before welcoming their gorgeous twin boys, Levi and Tate, into the world in October 2021. The lovebirds later married and have since lived happily with their sons in their family home in Melbourne.
Bryce and Melissa got married on February 24, 2023, in an intimate outdoor ceremony in the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Levi and Tate were present on the day.
Levi and Tate’s birth was unfortunately not an easy experience for the couple…
The twins were born early, with Melissa being just 29 weeks (+1 day) pregnant at the time of birth.
Melissa has since opened up about her experience on her personal blog Her Second Shift.
She revealed that while she was not in danger, there was concern for her newborn babies whose lungs were underdeveloped.
At the time of birth, Levi weighed in at just 1.2 kg while Tate weighed in at 1.1 kg.
“The first time I saw my sons after their birth was just before midnight,” Melissa recalled. “When I stepped into the prep room swirling with medical staff, my heart shattered.
“They were tiny, fragile, and helpless.”
Levi and Tate remained in hospital for six weeks following their birth; however, they recovered well and are now happy and healthy.
Keep scrolling for Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven’s sweetest family moments…
Bryce celebrated his 35th birthday in March 2024. Melissa shared a sweet tribute to Instagram, posting a slideshow of images from over the years.
“Happiest of birthdays dearest husband 😘,” she wrote.
“Enjoy my gift to you of a boy’s weekend away this weekend, when really, I just wanted the bed to myself for a couple of nights ♥️,” she joked.
Melissa also celebrated her 35th birthday at the start of the year. Bryce shared a carousel of images to Instagram and joked about her age in the caption.
“For 45 weeks of the year, we’re the same age on paper.. but my favourite time of year is the next 7 weeks where I can call you a cougar 🐯,” he wrote.
“Happy birthday to my beautiful wife @lissrawson 🤍.”
Melissa and Bryce appear to have taken the twins for a holiday in January 2024, to the Gold Coast.
This adorable family photo shows the four in front of a beautiful view of the Queensland coastline while at Sky Point, Australia’s tallest building!
“When you can’t get a family snap.. just settle for a selfie 📸,” Bryce wrote.
They are just SO precious!
Bryce shared this adorable photo of the twins that had been sent to him from the childcare the boys attend.
“Besties 🤍,” Bryce penned.
Merry Christmas from the Ruthven’s!
The family looked very happy and excited… the boys seemed to be in the Christmas spirit with their matching red shirts.
Melissa and Bryce took the twins up to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges in December 2023.
They love getting the boys out and about with them on their adventerous trips!
The twins celebrated their second birthday in October 2023 – a milestone for the proud parents!
Levi and Tate celebrated with Bluey-theme birthday cakes… how cute!
Bryce captioned the post, “About to find out if that ‘Terrible Two’s’ phase is a thing! 😅.”
Melissa and Bruce shared this adorable family photo in July 2023!
“It feels like they’re growing every time we blink!” Bryce penned.
Bryce shared an adorable message to Melissa on Mother’s Day 2023.
“Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful wife and amazing Mum to Tate & Levi, @lissrawson, plus my own wonderful Mum & mother-in-law!” he wrote.
“I hope all the Mums out there had an amazing day & got spoilt by their loved ones, you all truly deserve a special day ❤️.”
They headed up T’Gallant winery in Mornington Peninsula to celebrate.
A family outing to the Sea Life Aquarium in Melbourne!
Levi and Tate look a little bit scared… it’s probably because they’re surrounded by big fish!
“Adventures with the Ruthven’s 📸,” Bryce wrote.
Back in April 2023, Melissa shared a heartfelt message to the twins. She shared a beautiful poem “For Levi and Tate” on Instagram.
“Today I realised you were my baby no longer, You have become a beautiful toddler and I have grown stronger,” she wrote.
“I often sit back and reflect on your newborn days, Now wishing that it wasn’t such a hectic haze.
“I do miss those moments of you cuddling and cooing, I never had to worry about what you shouldn’t be doing.
“That said, there is nothing better than seeing you grow and thrive, Your chatter, heart-melting giggles and even your temper tantrums make me feel so alive.
“And as I sit here and watch you adorably play, I am so lucky to have you and love you more than words can say.”
Melissa and Bryce shared a beautiful photo on Instagram for Christmas 2022.
“Merry Christmas from our family to yours!” Bryce wrote.
“Thinking of those who don’t get to celebrate Christmas Day with loved ones, those who may be grieving a loss or simply don’t celebrate Christmas ❤️.”
For the twins’ first birthday, Melissa and Bryce shared a sweet message on Instagram.
“Happy 1st birthday to our gorgeous little boys… Levi & Tate 🎉,” they wrote.
0“From being born 10 weeks premature to spending 8 weeks in NICU, to crawling and now being our little munchkins for 12 months… every good & bad day is memorable with these two adorable little boys.
“They are absolutely perfect to us and we are so grateful we were blessed to have them as part of our lives!”
How good do the cakes look!
Even when the boys were quite young, Melissa and Bryce braved taking them away with them!
In October 2022, the family visited Airlie Beach in Queensland.
The twins look very sun safe with their blue caps!
In August 2022, Melissa shared a very candid message on Instagram, revealing that it took her eight months to really start enjoying being a mum.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love my babies with every fiber of my being. But let’s be real. Being a parent is so tough,” she wrote.
“I wasn’t feeling parenthood for a few reasons; I really struggled with their adjusted vs actual age, sleep deprivation, the repetitiveness of everything that goes with babies (wake up, nappy change, feed, nap, repeat – over and over and over again!). In fact, the entire newborn phase, I really did not enjoy. It was almost my undoing. And I’m a lucky one that had all the support and help that I could possibly need and still felt like I was drowning,” she admitted.
“It wasn’t until after the boys turned 8 months old – this was the turning point for me. Levi and Tate’s little personalities started to shine (and are very different!). They were able to really smile, babble, reach out and pull your hair/cheeks during cuddles, rolling over, playing with toys, jumping in their bouncer and non-stop giggling. I’ve loved this new development phase and motherhood just got so much easier 🥰.
“I’m even used to not being a ‘perfect’ parent and stopped trying to be ‘that person’ I was before babies for everyone else. At the end of the day, all you can do is your best for you and your family.”
The twins match with their gorgeous family dog… how cute!
Melissa and Bryce shared their first Christmas with the boys when they were very young!
2The premature babies look absolutely tiny! They have grown so much since 2021 and we are so happy to hear they are healthy and well despite their troubles at birth.
Melissa announced the birth of Levi and Tate in October 2021.
“On October 16th, 2021, our lives changed forever. Our beautiful twin boys, Levi and Tate Ruthven entered this world 10 weeks earlier than expected,” she wrote.
“Our love for them is greater than anything we could have ever imagined and while these next 9 weeks are going to be agony as the battle their way through NICU and SCN, I cannot wait for that moment when they are in my arms on their way home 💙.”
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