Casts Off....earlier than anticipated!

Ash's casts are off! We went in for xrays the other day and the Surgeon decided to get Ashling's casts removed and not to replace them. We are thrilled for her. Her feet look pretty good, one better than the other though. Ultimately, they look flatter though and in a much better position for walking. Obviously they are very scarred and sore looking, and she's pretty sensitive about them. So we're keeping them bandaged up and secure during the day, just so she doesn't give them any knocks. We will be getting foot supports soon from the Orthothic centre, which she will wear for about 6 months when standing and learning to walk.
We are really happy to have all of this trauma over, as it's only about 6 weeks before Ashling's sister or brother will be born. Woo hoo!
This is a video of Ashling's last day in her long casts. It will give you an idea how long, heavy and encumbersome they were, but at the same time, how much she she had adapted to them by the end. she's such a tropper.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edbi_zGoH2g

These are a few random videos from our holiday in Australia.
Ash and I messing outside a shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whMk7FHvubQ

The Hennessys kids entertaining Ashling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6LSXMSxNR8

Finally this is a wee video of Ashling in her standing frame, doing some colouring with her Daddy;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gvxNm7ykRA

Cheers xxxx

Ashling's Birthday 27th Oct 09

Can you believe that Ashling is 2 year's old? Most people say that time flies when children are young but we feel like she's been around for a lifetime to be honest, because of how much the poor girl has been through in two short years. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards from here.

Well since I last wrote, Ashling had her last surgery on her feet and the wires were removed. She is now wearing much shorter and lighter casts and is so much happier! She can bum shuffle again quite easily and she's back sleeping and eating the same as before her initial surgery. She has to wear the casts for another few weeks (prob about 4 weeks) and then she'll need a lot of rehabilitation to restrengthen her legs after being in casts for so long. We are thrilled to have the surgeries behind us, particularly since bubs two will be be here in about 6 weeks!!!! Where the time went in this pregnancy I'll never know!!!

We decided to have a little holiday after Ash's last surgery, and before things get hectic again...so we're just after having a week's holiday in Australia. Had a wonderful break. Spent time with our close friends Paul and Teasie on the Sunshine Coast and then had a few days to ourselves in the Gold Coast. Ash loved it all but we had to keep her out of the sun because of the heat being in casts and we couldn't take her to the beach cause she can't get them wet. The poor child hasn't had a shower or bath in about 3/4 months!! We do wash her the odd time though.

The next noteworthy event was her birthday. We had decided that we wouldn't have a party for her as we didn't think she'd really enjoy it at the moment. We would wait til her casts were off and her Mickey button is removed (we're hoping to do this before Christmas). But we ended up having 3 small parties for her in the end. We had one in Australia with our friends a few days before her birthday, one on the day with my sis and her family and then one with all my family a few days after. Next year I think we'll do the normal thing!

Here are some videos...

1. Birthday celebrations in Australia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGk7jwbxPHE&feature=channel

2. Birthday celebrations at my sisters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIjOYQS8WfQ&feature=channel

3. Birthday celebration with my family;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXhAutX45z4&feature=channel
4. Ash and my bump
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTQuFABSSlE&feature=channel

Thanks for taking the interest in this.

Lots of Love

Car, Ger and Ash