Bindi Irwin’s 3-year-old daughter Grace Warrior is becoming a silly, fun, caring, and adorable little girl, and we can’t believe how much she’s grown up! But she’s not the only one. As her mom, Bindi’s done a lot of growing over the last three years too, and she’s achieved many precious mom milestones along the way. These include many of Grace’s most adorable moments and adventures inside the Australia Zoo!
In June 2022, Bindi share a snapshot of herself lovingly holding her then one-year-old daughter Grace Warrior. The two stood on the beach with Grace buried in Irwin’s arms, a sunset up ahead. “My love,” she captioned the post. “There are countless adventures waiting for you on the horizon, a whole world for you to create positive change within. Until then, I will carry you and be there to encourage every one of your dreams.”
While many of those thrilling adventures are yet to come, we’ve gotten a sneak peek at some of Grace’s earliest exciting escapades — from confidently taking steps at the Australia Zoo to saying some of her first words (prepare yourself emotionally for that video).
We’re counting down the most adorable milestones that Irwin has experienced as a mom — so far! —and can’t wait to see all the upcoming big parenting moments in store for this family.
A version of this article was originally published in March 2023.
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Grace’s Birth
Image Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Bindi announced the birth of her daughter with husband Chandler Powell with the sweetest Instagram post.
“March 25, 2021. Celebrating the two loves of my life,” she said. “Happy first wedding anniversary to my sweetheart husband and day of birth to our beautiful daughter. ❤️ Grace Warrior Irwin Powell.”
She added, “There are no words to describe the infinite amount of love in our hearts for our sweet baby girl. She chose the perfect day to be born and we feel tremendously blessed.”
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Her First Words to Grace
Image Credit: John Wolfsohn/Getty Images In an emotional letter in honor of E! News’ celebration of Women’s History Month, Bindi shared the first words she said to her daughter Grace. They will give you all the feels!
“My first words to you when I held you in my arms were ‘my graceful warrior,’” Bindi wrote. “You are the light of our lives. It makes me smile knowing your best friend is a giant tortoise and watching you spend your days finding magic in everything you come across. Grace Warrior, I love you with all my heart, forever.”
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When She Revealed the Meaning of Her Daughter’s Name
Image Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images Bindi opened up about the sweet meaning behind her daughter’s four names, and you can just tell how proud she is of her only child.
“I thought I’d share the story behind our beautiful daughter’s name. Grace Warrior Irwin Powell. Our graceful warrior,” Bindi wrote in Nov. 2023.
Her first name was taken from Bindi’s great-grandmother, and it also happens to run in Powell’s family too, “dating back to the 1700s.” And her two middle names, “Warrior Irwin,” are a tribute to my dad,” she explained.
“Her last name is Powell just like her incredible Dada and his family,” Bindi continued. “I think about how much meaning and love was poured into naming the most important part of our lives, our gorgeous Grace.”
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When Grace Joined the ‘Kangaroo Mob’
Image Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images Grace unlocked her own ultimate animal kingdom status when she parked herself in her stroller amongst a whole field of kangaroos. Her dad posted a snapshot of the little one on Instagram, alongside the caption: “I think Grace has decided that she’s part of the kangaroo mob @AustraliaZoo 🦘❤️”
Bindi proudly responded to that post, saying, “She is the sweetest” with a heart emoji.
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Grace’s First Steps
Image Credit: Raymond Hall/GC Images Bindi sat by Grace’s side as the one-year-old took some of her first steps around the Australia Zoo gardens, a beautiful oasis run by Bindi’s mom Terri.
“Big moment,” Bindi wrote alongside the sweet video. Both mom and daughter look so happy as the little one explores the grass and basks in this new milestone.
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Grace’s First Family Dinner Out
Image Credit: Aaron Poole/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Bindi shared a very cute photo of Grace’s first dinner out, featuring a magical-looking restaurant with beautiful trees and string lights. It looks like that outing was a big success!
“First family dinner adventure with our sweet girl,” she wrote. “I’m a proud mama. ✨”
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Taking Photos of Grace
Image Credit: ©Animal Planet/Courtesy Everett Collection It’s not the biggest of parenting milestones but it definitely is a rite of passage. Bindi discovered just how difficult it is to get her child to pose for a photo when there are so many other exciting things going on — like the sky and the ground.
“We may need to work on our family vacation selfie game… 🤍” Irwin quipped alongside the photos. Yup, we’ve all been there.
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Hearing ‘Dada’
Image Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images Brace yourselves. This video of Grace saying “Dada” will make you feel all of the feelings. Bindi proudly shared the footage of her daughter learning to speak and was just as verklempt as we all are hearing those first words. “My heart when Grace says ‘Dada, ❤️” she wrote.
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Discovering Grace’s Goofy Side
Image Credit: RW/MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx There’s nothing more exciting than when you start to see your child’s personality emerge. Bindi got a sneak peek at Grace’s adorable mischievous side when she tried to pose for a photo with her 10-month-old daughter, and the baby kept trying to poke the lens. “Grace poking the camera whenever we try to take a picture is my new [favorite] thing,” Bindi captioned the post.
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When She Embraces Grace’s Interests
Image Credit: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for AFI Bindi learned how to expertly adjust to her daughter Grace’s interests when she was distracted by rhinos. As Powell tries to get Grace to pat a koala, she is laser-focused on the big animals in the background. Bindi expertly handles the situation with gentleness, turning toward her husband and saying, “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s a rhino!” At that moment, Grace turns and exclaims, “Mum!” It’s so cute!
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A Girl and Her Pug
Image Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Grace loves all wildlife, including the family pug, Stella Irwin. Bindi captures a sweet moment with Grace leaning her forehead on the pug as they play outside. Aww!
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Hope for the Future
Image Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images In an Oct. 2022 interview with PEOPLE, Bindi shared her hopes for her daughter’s future.
“Grace already has such a strong and independent personality,” the Crikey! It’s The Irwins star said of her daughter. “My hope is that she feels supported to undertake and accomplish anything she sets her mind to.”
“I’m incredibly lucky to be her mama, holding her hand as she navigates life until she’s ready to take on the world,” Bindi continued, adding that as Grace’s mum, she’ll “always be there for her to lean on whenever she needs me.”
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When Grace Met a Crocodile
Image Credit: John Wolfsohn/Getty Images Grace learned how to say the name of beloved crocodile at the Australia Zoo, making the Crocodile Hunter’s daughter proud. “Grace learning to say Acco’s name 🐊,” Bindi captioned an adorable video on Instagram in Dec. 2022 as Grace looks at a crocodile in the background. She couldn’t be cuter!
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When She Became a Cartoon
Image Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images Bindi made a guest appearance as an animated oceanographer called Isla Coralton on Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends in Sept. 2022. In the episode, she teaches kids about the ocean, and her daughter got to see it at home!
“We’ve watched a couple of episodes and she already enjoys it, which is incredible,” Bindi told PEOPLE.
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Halloween Fun
Image Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images For Halloween 2022, little Grace got in on the fun! Bindi, Powell, Robert, and Grace all dressed up as characters from The Office.
“Our boss is making us work late again, lucky she’s so cute. (Swipe for our World’s Best Boss) Happy Halloween from #TheOffice,” Bindi captioned the funny post, featuring Grace dressed up as Michael Scott.
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Family Vacation
Image Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic There’s nothing more exciting than going on a little family vacation as a mom. Bindi and Powell took Grace to Maleny, about 20 minutes from Australia Zoo, during some recent construction.
“Because the zoo is doing some wonderful very early morning tree works. As you can tell by Grace’s yawn just then, that exhausts us,” Bindi says. Grace looks adorable in the video, meeting butterflies and exploring nature with her parents.
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Khaki Girl
Image Credit: Manny Carabel/WireImage The late Steve Irwin loved khaki, so it’s only fitting that Bindi’s daughter Grace gets to wear it too. In one family photo, everyone matched in the Australia Zoo khaki uniforms. Bindi wrote, “My sweet family, I love you with all my heart, forever and forever ❤️”
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Grace Visiting Grandpa Crocodile
Image Credit: John Wolfsohn/Getty Images Although Grace has never met Steve Irwin (AKA, Grandpa Crocodile), she already recognizes him. Bindi shared the most heart-warming footage of Grace waving to construction signs of Steve at the Australia Zoo in Aug. 2022.
“We have a little construction going on to make our Tasmanian devil habitat @australiazoo even more beautiful,” Bindi captioned the video. “Grace’s favourite part? Visiting Grandpa Crocodile. All the love.” How sweet!
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When She Took Charge of Her Health
Image Credit: Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic Bindi opened up about her experience with endometriosis in a heartfelt March 2023 Instagram post.
“I battled for a long time wondering if I should share this journey with you in such a public space. It came down to the responsibility I feel to share my story for other women who need help,” she wrote. “For [10 years] I’ve struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain and nausea. Trying to remain a positive person and hide the pain has been a very long road.”
She added, “To those questioning the cancelled plans, unanswered messages & absence — I had been pouring every ounce of the energy I had left into our daughter and family,” Irwin says. “Things may look fine on the outside looking in through the window of someone’s life, however, that is not always the case. Please be gentle & pause before asking me (or any woman) when we’ll be having more children. After all that my body has gone through, I feel tremendously grateful that we have our gorgeous daughter. She feels like our family’s miracle.”
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Praise from Mama Terri
Image Credit: FilmMagic One major mom milestone? When your own mom praises you. “I am so proud of you, @BindiIrwin,” Terri wrote on Twitter in March 2023. “You have the strength and determination of a true warrior.”
She continued, “You stayed the course, and you never gave up. May women everywhere have the courage to advocate for their health & healing. You are a beacon of light for us all.”
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When Grace Took Over a Staff Meeting
Image Credit: Justin McManus/Fairfax Media via Getty Images/Fairfax Media via Getty Images via Getty Images Bindi was one proud mama when her daughter ran her first Australia Zoo staff meeting! “Grace requested to come to our #AustraliaZoo staff meeting with us and gave a fabulous update on koalas. 🐨” she wrote in an Aug. 2023 Instagram post. “She’s also been saying ‘thank you for your hard word’ to everyone since the meeting and it makes us laugh every time.” What a cutie!
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When She Invited Everyone to Grace’s 2nd Birthday
Image Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images Bindi did something totally unexpected for her daughter’s second birthday: she invited everyone!
“Our beautiful Grace Warrior is turning two,” the Australia Zoo conservationist wrote on Instagram. “We’re sharing the birthday celebrations with you, @AustraliaZoo Sat, March 25.”
The special day included a live performance from Bluey and Bingo, a Safari Challenge Obstacle Course, free cupcakes, pot planting and clay workshops, and more. Such a fun party!
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Grace’s First Gala
Image Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images Grace got to join the Wildlife Warriors at an Australia Steve Irwin Gala in Nov. 2023, where she looked adorable in a sparkly pink dress on the red carpet.
“An incredible night at our Steve Irwin Gala dinner here in Brisbane raising funds and awareness for the charity that my mum and dad created. It was our biggest event yet, and I loved spending the night with my favourite people in the world! ❤️” Bindi wrote after the event.
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Celebrating Grace’s Half-Birthday
Image Credit: Matrix/GC Images Grace took part in a special Irwin family tradition: celebrating her half-birthday! The Irwins, who call this their “unbirthday,” explained in a cute video.
“So Grace is 2-and-a-half today, which means that we celebrate our unbirthday,” Bindi said. “So we let her choose anything she wants in the Australia Zoo elephant shop to celebrate.”
The little girl looked delighted as she picked a stuffed giraffe and a stuffed elephant. “This is the first time we’ve ever done this at the zoo for Grace. Just go wild in the shop,” Bindi said, adding, “She’s very happy.”
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When She Revealed Grace’s Favorite Animal
Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images. Grace’s favorite animal represented a cool full-circle moment for Bindi! In a May 2024 Instagram video, she revealed, “The legacy continues … My dad discovered a new species of turtle 40 years ago. Never knowing they would be his granddaughter’s favorite animal.”
“Today, we protect this incredibly vulnerable species with an endangered species breeding program,” she continued, showing pictures of Grace admiring the “Elseya Irwini or Irwin’s Turtle.”
“You’d be so proud of your granddaughter, Dad. We miss you,” she added.
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When She Wrote a Children’s Book
Image Credit: Don Arnold/WireImage Bindi has taken her experience as a mom and turned them into a children’s book! In June 2024, she shared that she wrote a book called You Are a Wildlife Warrior: Saving Animals and the Planet, to inspire kids “to love, respect, and protect our natural world.” The illustrated story follows Bindi and Grace as they introduce animals living at Australia Zoo, teaching readers about their habitats and ways to protect both the creatures and their environments.
When Bindi announced the post, her mom Terri commented, “I am tremendously proud of you, @bindisueirwin. You are a wonderful mama and a true Wildlife Warrior! Your book is beautiful and brilliant. A fantastic, fun story for everyone!”
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When Grace Pretended to Make a Documentary
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Just like her famous family, Grace is ready for the entertainment business. She made a pretend documentary all about tortoises with her mom, and the video was adorable.
“This flower on the ground,” Grace says in the video, as she points to a red hibiscus flower. “She’s eating it. The tortoise right here,” she says.
“She’s crunching,” Grace adds, demonstrating by opening and closing her mouth and making very deliberate smacking sounds. “This is a tortoise eating a flower,” the toddler explains. Later, she spit some facts about tortoises, because this video is cute and educational.
“Tortoises go in land. Turtles go in water,” she said. “Tortoises favorite snack is leaves.”
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When Grace Showed Off Her Aussie Accent
Image Credit: John Wolfsohn/Getty Images Grace may have an American dad, but she has an Aussie accent just like her mama. In a June 2024 video, Grace talked about the rules of entering lemur accent, saying “no” like “naur” and more. “Grace teaching us all the rules of the #AustraliaZoo lemur island. Her kind heart lights up the world. 💛,” Bindi captioned the video.
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Animal Expert
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Endometriosis Foundation of America The Animal Planet star was a proud mama when she gushed about how Grace is already an “animal expert.”
“She is 100 percent a Wildlife Warrior. I mean, I think it’s genetic at this point,” Bindi told SheKnows in May 2024. “Her thing is just animals. She likes to become an expert on animals.”
Bindi explained, “So her new thing is facts. So, she’ll say something like, ‘Koalas eat eucalyptus. That’s a fact.’ And it’s so cute, ‘cause it’s like, you know what? You can’t teach that. That is just who she is.” Irwin added, “She is definitely the ruler of our universe. She is so wonderful because she’s such a kind and beautiful soul, while also having so much strength within her. She runs the zoo.”
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When Grace Turned 3
Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Grace turned 3 in March, and Bindi celebrated by posting adorable side-by-side photos of her and Grace that shows how much the little girl has grown up.
“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.”
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Putting Family First
Image Credit: Mick Tsikas - Pool/Getty Images No matter what else happens during the day, Bindi is committed to putting her family first in the evenings by going on family zoo walks.
“Whether it’s a really fun and exciting day, or it’s a more challenging day, I really look forward to that time where I know I’m going to be with my family, I know that I’m going to turn off my phone, and I just enjoy the time and really try to let everything else go and be completely present,” Bindi told SheKnows in a Sept. 2023 interview.
“Because sometimes we forget to do that because life is such a whirlwind,” she went on. “So if you can find that time to be utterly present with your family it really helps feed your soul. It’s just good for your heart. I love that time.”
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