Victoria’s tiniest baby in a class of her own on first day of school

Almost five years ago Bella Mooney was born one of Victoria’s tiniest babies — weighing no more than a tub of butter. Now the bubbly girl is celebrating her first day of school.

Bella Mooney has had a miraculous short life, from one of Victoria’s tiniest babies to a thriving girl ready to start school. Picture: Tim Carrafa

The first day of school is monumental for any child, but for Bella Mooney it will be the achievement of a lifetime.

When born at just 23 weeks and three days gestation, she was one of Victoria’s tiniest babies. It’s hard to believe that the vibrant girl of today, with her toothy grin, came into the world weighing just 584 grams, little more than a tub of butter.

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Bella has everything she needs for her first day at Kingston Heath Primary in Cheltenham. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Mum Amanda Mooney, looking at her little girl in a school dress, said the milestone of the first day of school was one she and husband Brock didn’t know they would reach: “I couldn’t have pictured this scenario at all.

“We feel really blessed.”

Isabella — or Bella as she prefers to be called — arrived at the Royal Women’s Hospital alongside twin brother Charlie on August 4, 2012.

Doctors told the couple their tiny twins’ chance of survival was “next to none”.

But they allowed their babies to be resuscitated, to at least give them a chance at life.

Mrs Mooney said she was simply “praying for them just to live”.

Sadly, Charlie didn’t survive beyond four days.

His sister clung on.

Isabella Mooney was born at 23 weeks, weighing just 500g. Picture: Tim Carrafa

She was so fragile that for her first six weeks, she couldn’t be cuddled. But with each day, and each new challenge, she continued to fight, and then to thrive, under the watchful eye of staff at the Women’s and Cabrini Hospitals.

After almost 20 weeks, Bella went home for the first time, for Christmas with her parents and big brother Joshua.

Six years on, Mrs Mooney said “she’s such a normal kid”.

She said: “It feels like we’ve spent six years waiting on things. Waiting to see if she’d walk, waiting to see if she’d ever talk. We’ve been on an edge, just waiting.”

It took a little longer, but Bella did walk.

One of Victoria’s smallest babies has grown into a thriving young girl and is getting ready to start her first day of school this month. Picture: Tim Carrafa

She spoke her first words at age three, after learning baby sign language so she could use simple hand movements to communicate that she was hungry or thirsty.

“Everything always comes with Bella. It’s just slow,” Mrs Mooney said.

Bella has developed a love for crafts, and enjoys riding her scooter. Water is also an obsession: sometimes she wants four baths a day, and she adores splashing around in her grandparents’ pool.

But this next step is a big one. “Seeing her in school uniform makes it all very real,” Mrs Mooney said.

Asked what she’s looking forward to most about school, a look of concentration swept Bella’s face. She turned to her mum, and thought for a while.

“Playing in the playground every day,” she whispered. “I want to play with my friends.”

@ashargoon