Well, our legend of a man, Ger, managed to complete the marathon in style. He even knocked about 15 minutes off the time he was expecting. He ran in just under 3 and a half hours. Amazing.
It was a very exciting morning altogether. I'm not sure who was more excited. You'd swear that I was doing it cause I was so nervous and excited. It all went really well. I even ran a bit of it myself, trying to keep up with him when I was 'watering' him. I forgot about the fact that he wasn't going to stop for a chat and a drink so I had no choice but to run with him. The things you have to do to get quality time with your hubby! Thankfully I had my runners on. Ha ha.
Anyway, he's quite chuffed with himself and managed to raise the bones of three thousand dollars for Ronald McDonald House so it was success all round. Thanks a million to everyone for their generous support. We are also doing a volunteer dinner at Ron Mc Don House on Nov 22nd for about 120 people ( all the families who have loved ones in the hospital). We've wanted to do it for a while but it just didn't work out until now. But we're ready to go full steam ahead now, with the help of our family and friends. When we were staying there, other families and companies came in and made dinner for everyone and it was a Godsent as we were so tired after the day at the hospital. If any of you ever want to do something like this, let me know and I can give you the details of how you go about it. Lots of companies do it as a team building experience. How cool would it be to do that and help so many people at the same time?
Now to the little person that you've wanted to read about......our little munchkin........Ashling is doing quite well. She's still struggling a bit since her bout of pneumonia, which was over a month ago. Apparently it can take about 6 weeks to get rid of completely. She's still got a runny nose, a cough and even more mucus than usual (if that's possible). However, despite that, she's in great form and is developing such a cute but stubborn personality. I laugh with her everyday now....something I'd never really experienced for the last year to be honest.
We decided not to go ahead with having a birthday party for her as she has been too up and down lately. As it turned out, it was a good call cause she was sick all day on her birthday. She hasn't really made a lot of progress physically though she's much stronger and can sit up for quite a while on her own now. Developmentally, she seems to be doing well. She's certainly got
us wrapped round her finger. I have put some new videos on utube so that you can see what she's up to lately.
Have a look at some of these recent videos if you'd like to see what she's up to these days. Don't forget to let them load first i.e let the orange line run across the screen to the end before you play it or else it will keep pausing on you. Or just press play, then pause and wait til the line goes across under the picture. It'll just take 2 to 3 mins to upload. Hope you enjoy them. Cheers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joLikJU6fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFVGi3hdFLY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksP7BU-Pr98
This an old video of Ashling and her Nana Collins, which is quite cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKx1p0zoipc
Take Care.
Thanks for keeping up with Ashling's progress xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Ashling and Family-
ReplyDeleteI just read through your blog and wanted to tell you how moving and inspiring it is. Ashling is quite the beautiful girl and obviously has a great staff.
We have a daughter who just turned two, Naomi, who has many of the same issues (arthrogyposis with a bunch of other fun stuff). We've fortunately gotten off of the heavy equipment, I'm happy to say, and are looking forward to taking the feeding tube out at the end of cold and flu season. But its amazing how many photos we have that look just like those of little Ashling (particularly the NICU post-surgery shots).
Its amazing to watch them grow and figure out how to do everything they want in their own ways and basically disregard every obstacle in front of them. I can see you guys treasure your daughter as much as we do ours. God bless!
From Tom, JiYoon and Naomi in New York
Little Ashling just makes my heart smile! Thank you for the update and for the adorable videos! I still can't get over how similar she and Reece are! Also, give a big "Congratulations!!" to Ger from us! What an accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteTake care!
With love,
Beth
Hello to the Collins family,
ReplyDeleteSorry haven't left any messages in a while but we have been logging in to check on Ashlings progress. We are glad to hear that she is doing well now and fingers crossed she will continue to do so. Congratulations Ger on the marathon, well done!!!! Ashling looks so happy playing in her cot, its hard to believe that something so small and cute has been through so much. She is a real trooper, just like her mam & dad. We are thinking of you all and will check in again soon. Will let you know when the newest arrival to the Galvin family makes an appearance. I am due on Dec 28th so fingers crossed all goes to plan. Chat to you soon.
Joanne, Fergal, Jack & bump
Hi guys,
ReplyDeleteSorry we havent been in touch for so long - we have been thinking about you a lot... Really sorry to hear that poor little Ashling has had such a hard time of it - hopefully it'll be an easier road from here on.
The pictures & videos are excellent. She really does not look as small as you say she is. Both of you look great.
Ger, well done in the marathon. Fit as a fiddle!
Take care & we'll continue to check the blog for updates.
Love El, Pat & boys
I forgot to say belated Happy Birthday to the main little girl. Ashling hope you enjoyed your day despite not feeling the best.
ReplyDeleteLove El & boys
Hi guys
ReplyDeletewell so now we see the proof of this famous run!!! congrats again another amazing addition to your CV ger :) and well done Car on keeping him hydrated..behind every gr8 man is an amazing woman.. but in your case it is definitely BESIDE etc....Ashling is so, so cute in her birthday attire and the videos are a lovely snapshot into what she gets up to.we will speak with you soon love always Peter, Breda & Diarmuid
Happy belated birthday Ashling and well done Ger! glad to see you all in such good form. We are doing great too. All the best-
ReplyDeleteKatie, Eug, Kitty & Ella
Hi Ger, Caroline and Ashling.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Ger on completing the marathon in such a good time you must be very fit!! The pictures are fab, Ashling is just sooo cute, the curls are adorable!!Caroline its great to see you did your bit on the day of the marathon. Well Ger I am very proud of you and its great you raised so much money. Best of luck with the dinner ye are cooking for the Ronald Mc Donald home. Talk to you soon. Love Denise
Hi Sweetie,
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see the progress that you've been making. I've missed you lots over the past few weeks while I've been looking after your cousins. Keep up the good work and see you soon.
Lots of love, Nana O Shea
Hi Ger Caroline & Ashling, Congrats on the marathon Ger, sure it looked like it took nothing out of ya :-) Its great to see Ashling sitting up & it looks like she is getting stronger. Caroline your a great woman fair play to ya & you could even keep up to Ger with the Water :-) Keep updating the site its great to see the progress yere making. Ger a new book for ya its called "Where Clare leads Ireland follows" its supposed to be very good.
ReplyDeleteRight take care chat soon.
Mick
Ger, Caroline & Ashling,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick line to wish you all a very Happy Christmas! I hope you all have a great day together. I'm sure ye'll spoil her completely.
Ashling, congratualtions on your birthday. I loved your pink birthday hat!
Ger, congratulations on the marathon. Well done you! Is it too late to donate?! Is it ever too late?!
I'm meeting Paula, Roisin, Deirdre and Elsa for our annual Christmas dinner next Tues so no doubt we'll raise a glass to you all. New Zealand wine of course!
Lots and lots of love to you all,
Eimear xxx