Hi Guys,
Still can't believe it's Christmas time again. Seems like yesterday that we brought Jamie home for her first Christmas. She has just turned one and is a very very busy!!! It's like a whole new experience for us cause we never really had to child-proof the house much with Ashling but with Jamie, we nearly need to child-proof the neightbour's place!
Ashling is going great. She is getting stronger again and is back walking fairly well with her walker, which is very encouraging for her. She's also in great form, really excited about Christmas. She loves the idea of Santa - but from a distance! She won't go next or near him, not to mind get into a photo with him, and just can't understand why "little girls sit on his lap". She's hilarious!
Below are a few recent videos - there's nothing riveting here, but it'll give you an idea how the kids are doing now.
Well, that's about all for now.
Hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas.
Love Car and Ger x
1. The girls playing on thier cars with Ger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgXRKoF-Sv0
2. The new sand-pit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o5_9EZ5NCs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
3. The Girls watching TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqTGw_O75BU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
4. Jamie's Birthday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwZTMBBv4i0&list=ULaLNZb7bna6E&playnext=1
5. Jamie Standing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY9irjIROiE&list=ULaLNZb7bna6E&playnext=2
6. The Girls playing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLY_YytqLvs&feature=BF&list=ULaLNZb7bna6E&index=21
7. Pre-school - Nativity Play:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DOnLrPTNis&feature=BF&list=ULaLNZb7bna6E&index=22
8. Cutie Jamie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u3HsRFUpO0&feature=BF&list=ULaLNZb7bna6E&index=23
9. Why Jamie needs to be monitored!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_ph1xL7noc&feature=BF&list=ULaLNZb7bna6E&index=24
Ps: This is a Christmas letter that we wrote, in case you'd like to read it....
Hi Folks,
Well I’d really hoped to be able to write individual letters/cards, but our 2 monkeys just keep us so busy, I think you’d be waiting until next Christmas for that to happen!! So I’m afraid this will have to suffice for this year.
Firstly, Merry Christmas to one and all. Hope you enjoy the silly season and have some decent quality time with your loved ones.
We are all keeping well, enjoying life in New Zealand. Ashling is continuing to recover from her knee surgery and she’s getting stronger every day. The knee surgery was a big set-back for her walking so that’s been pretty tough for her. Please God she will be back walking independently with her walking aid by the beginning of 2011.It looks like Jamie will also be walking at around the same time cause she’s starting to put her legs under her now. She’s really active; she just flies around the place, crawls faster than I can walk. Gosh, we’re really enjoying her, she’s so much fun and she gets on great with Ashling. Poor Ash has to be really tolerant of Jamie as she takes everything off her - she is at that destructive age! Ash hides in the corner with her toys until she sees Jamie coming at her like a bull in a China Shop!
Ger is in great form, still working in the same job and continuing with his exercise. It took him a while to settle back after the fantastic trip we had home but everything is back to normal now. I’m keeping well too, still at home full-time with the girls. I haven’t done any teaching since Jamie came along cause it’s just too full-on with Ashling’s rehabilitation etc. I don’t mind though. I love being at home and taking care of them, even though I find it hard at times. I get out whenever I can though, my Mam helps out at times, and Ger is great for kicking me out the door for a walk as soon as he gets in from work. We have also made quite a few friends through the kids and are trying to get our social lives back – somewhat!
We are heading away for 10 days over Christmas, spending 5 days with our friends Padraig and Cathy in their summer house, and then 5 more nights at a camp site. We have booked a cabin at the camp site because we thought it might be a bit too brave to go camping just yet…especially since the weather is so unreliable over Christmas. Think the kids will love the experience down there.
The highlight of 2010 was our trip home to Ireland. We had a brilliant time at Ger’s sister, Denise’s wedding; it was a fantastic day and we were delighted to be at home for it. It was lovely seeing Ashling being her flower girl. She never stops talking about it, and has been flat out watching the DVD of the wedding since. We are blown away by how many people’s names she remembers.
It was fantastic catching up with everyone in Feakle and Kenmare and we are grateful to everyone for making the effort and going out of their way to be so accommodating and welcoming to us. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to get to see everyone and we are sorry to those who we just didn’t get to meet. Next time for sure.
Well that’s all for now. We are going to U2 on Thursday night so can’t wait for that.
Hope you have a great break over Christmas and are blessed with good health and happiness in the Year ahead.
Lots of love Always, Car, Ger, Ashling and Jamie xoxoxoxo
Hello again
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Recovering and Getting Stronger....Nov 9th, 2010
I really wanted to get this blog updated before Ger's sister Denise's 30th birthday, and I finally made it...bang on time. Happy birthday Denise. Hope you have a fantastic time at your 30th birthday party. Wish we could be there with you all. We love and miss you very much!
Well, things are much better here after a very rough couple of months. Ashling is finally pain-free and back to her old self. She has been pretty miserable since the surgeries and very uncomfortable, Over the last week we've seen a massive difference in her form and confidence. She was very nervous and needy for the last while and it took a LOT of patience to get through the last few weeks, but somehow our prayers were answered, as they always are, and we had the patience needed to get through it. Now she's a happy little camper again, with a very vivid imagination, constantly talking about her "other house!!!!" and her other family (who, funnily enough, all seem to have the same names as us, except Jamie is her baby, not her sister! Oh and she's got another baby called....."Mammy"- bet you weren't expecting that one! Ha Ha).
Anyway, back to the serious stuff. Ashling's legs are getting stronger but very slowly. Even though she's not in pain anymore and doesn't seem to feel the plates and screws in her legs, she has lost heaps of strength and flexibility. She can't pull herself into a supported stand again yet and she can't bend her legs much either (not much more than they are genetically bent). So we are doing a huge amount of rehabilition with her and it's working....slowly. I'm taking her to The Wilson Centre twice a week, a rehabilitation Centre in Devonport, where they do gym work with her and then exercises in the hydrotherapy pool. It's fantastic. We also have a girl called Renee coming twice a week to do exercises with her at home and then we do as much as we can, whenever we can fit them in. She has been a trooper. It's just amazing what the child will do....all for a sticker!!!
One problem that arose out of the surgeries was her tummy. The hole from her gastrostomy (the tube that we used to use to feed her) started leaking after the first surgery and then got infected and became extremely sore and problematic for Ashling. We had to go back to see the Surgeon who originally put the tube in. Unfortunatley, the news wasn't good. He said that it's extremely unusual that the hole hasn't closed by now (14 months) and if it hasn't done so by now, by itself, then it won't. He said that she will have to have surgery...yes, more surgery for our little monkey. It would break your heart! Anyway, they will have to sew the skin from the inside out (3 layers, like a mini c-section) and then it shouldn't cause anymore problems for her. We have been put on the waiting list so I assume it will be sometime in the new year. Don't want it before then anyway!
Ashling and Jamie get on extremely well. Jamie is a fabulous little girl, so placid and happy. You'd hardly know she was around the place, she's so independent, except for the mess! She wrecks the joint. She's so so active, can crawl faster than I can walk. And she's knock you over with the strength of one of her thunder thighs! Poor Ash spends more time in Jamie's playpen, trying to protect herself from Jamie, than Jamie spends in it!!!! The first time she asked me to go in Jamie's playpern, I thought I'd misheard her but then I looked over and saw that jamie had knocked over her lego castle, pulled all the assessories off her barbie, and wrecked her little play picnic......then I understood why she wanted to go in there. For peace! I thought to myself - "10 out of 10 for thinking outside the box, Ash"!!!
I have attached a few videos of the two girls. Hope you like them. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Lots of love, all the Collins gang xxxxx
The two girls playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8vcM41xCTE
The girls having a cuddle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnY0mKcV4VI
The night of the wedding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsgqKHjwazQ
Ger messing with Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q1bSdRM2Sk
Well, things are much better here after a very rough couple of months. Ashling is finally pain-free and back to her old self. She has been pretty miserable since the surgeries and very uncomfortable, Over the last week we've seen a massive difference in her form and confidence. She was very nervous and needy for the last while and it took a LOT of patience to get through the last few weeks, but somehow our prayers were answered, as they always are, and we had the patience needed to get through it. Now she's a happy little camper again, with a very vivid imagination, constantly talking about her "other house!!!!" and her other family (who, funnily enough, all seem to have the same names as us, except Jamie is her baby, not her sister! Oh and she's got another baby called....."Mammy"- bet you weren't expecting that one! Ha Ha).
Anyway, back to the serious stuff. Ashling's legs are getting stronger but very slowly. Even though she's not in pain anymore and doesn't seem to feel the plates and screws in her legs, she has lost heaps of strength and flexibility. She can't pull herself into a supported stand again yet and she can't bend her legs much either (not much more than they are genetically bent). So we are doing a huge amount of rehabilition with her and it's working....slowly. I'm taking her to The Wilson Centre twice a week, a rehabilitation Centre in Devonport, where they do gym work with her and then exercises in the hydrotherapy pool. It's fantastic. We also have a girl called Renee coming twice a week to do exercises with her at home and then we do as much as we can, whenever we can fit them in. She has been a trooper. It's just amazing what the child will do....all for a sticker!!!
One problem that arose out of the surgeries was her tummy. The hole from her gastrostomy (the tube that we used to use to feed her) started leaking after the first surgery and then got infected and became extremely sore and problematic for Ashling. We had to go back to see the Surgeon who originally put the tube in. Unfortunatley, the news wasn't good. He said that it's extremely unusual that the hole hasn't closed by now (14 months) and if it hasn't done so by now, by itself, then it won't. He said that she will have to have surgery...yes, more surgery for our little monkey. It would break your heart! Anyway, they will have to sew the skin from the inside out (3 layers, like a mini c-section) and then it shouldn't cause anymore problems for her. We have been put on the waiting list so I assume it will be sometime in the new year. Don't want it before then anyway!
Ashling and Jamie get on extremely well. Jamie is a fabulous little girl, so placid and happy. You'd hardly know she was around the place, she's so independent, except for the mess! She wrecks the joint. She's so so active, can crawl faster than I can walk. And she's knock you over with the strength of one of her thunder thighs! Poor Ash spends more time in Jamie's playpen, trying to protect herself from Jamie, than Jamie spends in it!!!! The first time she asked me to go in Jamie's playpern, I thought I'd misheard her but then I looked over and saw that jamie had knocked over her lego castle, pulled all the assessories off her barbie, and wrecked her little play picnic......then I understood why she wanted to go in there. For peace! I thought to myself - "10 out of 10 for thinking outside the box, Ash"!!!
I have attached a few videos of the two girls. Hope you like them. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Lots of love, all the Collins gang xxxxx
The two girls playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8vcM41xCTE
The girls having a cuddle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnY0mKcV4VI
The night of the wedding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsgqKHjwazQ
Ger messing with Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q1bSdRM2Sk
Friday, October 1, 2010
Complications!!!
Poor Ash!!!!!! We went into the hospital on Tuesday for a C.T. Scan to check that the plates were in the right place on Ashling's knees. We thought this was a standard practice after eight-plate surgery.
But it turned out that the plates on Ashling's right knee were too high and too small. Apparently the surgeons had decided to put different plates in her two knees???? and the ones on one side weren't sitting where they should have been. They had actually been a bit suspicious of such!
Of course we didn't realise any of this until Tuesday and needless to say, we were extremely upset and angry. So poor Ashling had to go through the whole thing again 48hrs later, on Thursday morning. They took out the two plates and 4 screws on her right knee and then replaced them lower down on the knee. The surgery went well and this time, they had the foresight to actually get the CT scan done while she was still in surgery and make sure that they had put them in correctly.
So now Ashling is trying to recover from yesterday's surgery, with fresh wounds and wounds that had nearly healed on her right leg, as well as the wounds on her left leg that have nearly healed. She has been absolutely amazing and our hearts have bled for her over the past few days. She's the bravest person I've ever known.
Feeling very disheartened with the medical system right now! But I suppose at least the mistake was noticed and rectified now, rather than in 6 months time.
Thanks for reading this xxx
But it turned out that the plates on Ashling's right knee were too high and too small. Apparently the surgeons had decided to put different plates in her two knees???? and the ones on one side weren't sitting where they should have been. They had actually been a bit suspicious of such!
Of course we didn't realise any of this until Tuesday and needless to say, we were extremely upset and angry. So poor Ashling had to go through the whole thing again 48hrs later, on Thursday morning. They took out the two plates and 4 screws on her right knee and then replaced them lower down on the knee. The surgery went well and this time, they had the foresight to actually get the CT scan done while she was still in surgery and make sure that they had put them in correctly.
So now Ashling is trying to recover from yesterday's surgery, with fresh wounds and wounds that had nearly healed on her right leg, as well as the wounds on her left leg that have nearly healed. She has been absolutely amazing and our hearts have bled for her over the past few days. She's the bravest person I've ever known.
Feeling very disheartened with the medical system right now! But I suppose at least the mistake was noticed and rectified now, rather than in 6 months time.
Thanks for reading this xxx
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Surgery - done and dusted!!! Yay!!!!
Ashling finally had her knee surgery on Monday, third time lucky!!! And it was, it all went swimmingly well and I can't believe we're only 36 hours post-op and we are at home and Ashling is asleep!!! Woo Hoo!
Ashling's legs are sore but she's on strong medication and it seems to be keeping her pain in control. Obviously she' s bit frustrated about not being able to move her legs, but she's improvising already! She has such a strong will. We're so happy for her that the surgery is done and dusted. We have to go into the hospital next week for CT scans to check that the plates and pins are all in the right place on her knees, so hopefully that will all go well.
Take Care xxx
Ashling's legs are sore but she's on strong medication and it seems to be keeping her pain in control. Obviously she' s bit frustrated about not being able to move her legs, but she's improvising already! She has such a strong will. We're so happy for her that the surgery is done and dusted. We have to go into the hospital next week for CT scans to check that the plates and pins are all in the right place on her knees, so hopefully that will all go well.
Take Care xxx
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Postponed Again - 5 minutes before the surgery was meant to start!
Happening on Mon 20th mid-morning........fingers crossed. x
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Surgery postponed by a week - Fri 17th Sep instead
Ashling's surgery was postponed on Friday as the surgeon had to take bereavement leave. It's been postponed by a week. It will be happening next Friday the 17th at 2pm instead.
Thanks for your love and best wishes. xxx
Thanks for your love and best wishes. xxx
Monday, September 6, 2010
Back from Ireland
Well we had a fantastic trip home. We managed to catch up with a lot of our close friends and all of our family. It was just brilliant spending time with them and introducing them to our 2 little munchkins. Speaking of whom, they absolutely loved Ireland, meeting everyone, and being spolit rotten by family and friends.
The main reason we went home was for Ger's sister's wedding, that of Denise and Finbar. It was a fantastic day! An amazing wedding. Ashling was her flower girl, which was just such an honour for her. She and 2 of the cousins, who were the two page boys, went up the church as a little trio, the 2 boys either side of Ashling on her little bike. It was adorable.
Anyway, we're back in Auckland now....with a bang. Came home to a letter from the hospital with a date for Ashling's knee surgery...this Fri 10th of Sep. She is having plates put on her knees and these plates will guide her growth and hopefully help to straighten the bend in her knees. If you'd like to know more about the surgery, have a look at
http://www.eight-plate.com/treatment_overview.php
Please say a wee prayer for her. Will be in touch. Thanks for reading this xxx
Photos and videos from Ireland to follow in a few days xxx
The main reason we went home was for Ger's sister's wedding, that of Denise and Finbar. It was a fantastic day! An amazing wedding. Ashling was her flower girl, which was just such an honour for her. She and 2 of the cousins, who were the two page boys, went up the church as a little trio, the 2 boys either side of Ashling on her little bike. It was adorable.
Anyway, we're back in Auckland now....with a bang. Came home to a letter from the hospital with a date for Ashling's knee surgery...this Fri 10th of Sep. She is having plates put on her knees and these plates will guide her growth and hopefully help to straighten the bend in her knees. If you'd like to know more about the surgery, have a look at
http://www.eight-plate.com/treatment_overview.php
Please say a wee prayer for her. Will be in touch. Thanks for reading this xxx
Photos and videos from Ireland to follow in a few days xxx
Friday, July 23, 2010
Leaving Tomorrow....for Ireland!
We're so excited...finally heading off tomorrow.
Will be in touch from home. xxxxx
Will be in touch from home. xxxxx
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Twinkle Star!
Ashling and her lovely cousin, Katie...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tPc6qRfQXs
Getting ready for our trip to Ireland.....exciting stuff.
Only 6 more sleeps before we leave xxxx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tPc6qRfQXs
Getting ready for our trip to Ireland.....exciting stuff.
Only 6 more sleeps before we leave xxxx
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Some new videos - July 2010
Ashling and Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRm0n_ws0kM
Ashling - HorseRiding (first time ever and she loved it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bWaq532im0
Ash n Jamie, talking about going to Ireland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9FKWncxnwQ
Ash Kissing the horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmXtsZRg_14
My Birthday at Mam and Dad's bach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80pNpFKfhL8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRm0n_ws0kM
Ashling - HorseRiding (first time ever and she loved it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bWaq532im0
Ash n Jamie, talking about going to Ireland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9FKWncxnwQ
Ash Kissing the horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmXtsZRg_14
My Birthday at Mam and Dad's bach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80pNpFKfhL8
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Getting Stronger Everyday!
Well both of our girls and getting stronger everyday. Jamie is a bit of a brute already! In fact, she and Ashling are sharing the same wardrobe!!! Poor Ash is sick to death of looking at Jamie wearing her clothes and saying "Thats mine". And then I say that we share all our things and Ashling says "Ok" and then heads off on her bike, with a big happy head on her. She is really is the most easily appeased child I know. She's so sweet with Jamie and really watches out for her. She yells out to me when Jamie drops her toy, if I'm not in the room; "Mom, Jamie lose her toy!" and if Jamie starts rolling or sliding over in her seat, "Mom, Jamie nearly tip over". She's hilarious, keeps this running commentary going throughout the day. "Mom, what doing? Where going? What having?". She never stops talking, a bit like myself!
Ashling is walking a lot better now with her little walker, though her progress is slow and steady. She loves walking and is such a little showhorse, constantly saying "Mom, I wanna show my walking" when we meet friends. It's great though cause she needs very little motivation from us.
We are trying to get sorted at the moment for our big trip to Ireland. We are going home at the end of July for a month and taking our two munchkins with us. Ger's sister, Denise, is getting married on August 14th so we will be home a couple of weeks before the wedding, to enjoy the build up with all of Ger's family around. We are really excited. It's going to be a long wait though cause Ash is already asking...."My take this to Ireland with me?". She doesn't really understand what/where Ireland is but she is very excited about it all the same!
I'll out some new videos on the blog next week.
Over and Out.
Lots of love xxx
Ashling is walking a lot better now with her little walker, though her progress is slow and steady. She loves walking and is such a little showhorse, constantly saying "Mom, I wanna show my walking" when we meet friends. It's great though cause she needs very little motivation from us.
We are trying to get sorted at the moment for our big trip to Ireland. We are going home at the end of July for a month and taking our two munchkins with us. Ger's sister, Denise, is getting married on August 14th so we will be home a couple of weeks before the wedding, to enjoy the build up with all of Ger's family around. We are really excited. It's going to be a long wait though cause Ash is already asking...."My take this to Ireland with me?". She doesn't really understand what/where Ireland is but she is very excited about it all the same!
I'll out some new videos on the blog next week.
Over and Out.
Lots of love xxx
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Ash is on the move!!!
Our little sweetheart is finally starting to walk with a walker, really really exciting! Have a wee look....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyCO_yskc4g
Here's Jamie in the bath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UKzX3Eur2o
And here's another one of Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=629UmVIYsus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyCO_yskc4g
Here's Jamie in the bath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UKzX3Eur2o
And here's another one of Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=629UmVIYsus
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 14th - Jamie is 4 months old today
Can't believe our baby is 4 months old today!! She certainly looks it though. She's really strong and such a chubba-wubba!
Our other little lass is finally putting on weight, mostly thanks to The Easter Bunny! She's finally hit 9 kilos, which is a major landmark for ashling. We're absolutely thrilled. She's a laugh a minute at the moment, I just can't keep up with her. She knows everything about everyone!
Here are a few recent videos of our girls...hope you enjoy them xxx
1. The two girls....quite funny at the end!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnU0esXB9wA
2. Happy Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDVCdO3gEj0
3. The O Shea kids n Ger Versus the Nevilles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGaq0qCPeR8
4. Auntie Anna playing with the kids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9ooRBHiTbs
5. Daddy and Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdY7gIfFmWg
6. Ash playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B45Xq18Y-kU&feature=channel
7.One more video...of Caroline and Jamie..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcIBpGeAi2U
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Our other little lass is finally putting on weight, mostly thanks to The Easter Bunny! She's finally hit 9 kilos, which is a major landmark for ashling. We're absolutely thrilled. She's a laugh a minute at the moment, I just can't keep up with her. She knows everything about everyone!
Here are a few recent videos of our girls...hope you enjoy them xxx
1. The two girls....quite funny at the end!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnU0esXB9wA
2. Happy Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDVCdO3gEj0
3. The O Shea kids n Ger Versus the Nevilles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGaq0qCPeR8
4. Auntie Anna playing with the kids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9ooRBHiTbs
5. Daddy and Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdY7gIfFmWg
6. Ash playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B45Xq18Y-kU&feature=channel
7.One more video...of Caroline and Jamie..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcIBpGeAi2U
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March 12th, 2010
Well Jamie (yes - we changed the spelling back to JAMIE from JAIME, just to confuse the life out of everyone!)....anyway, she's 3 months now. Can't believe it!
Ashling is lovin being a sister! She's really lovely with jamie, always wanting to include her in everything we do. We really have been so blessed with a healthy little girl who is so easy and placid, and her older sister shows no jealousy towards her whatsoever!
Jamie is a breeze so far, she just falls in with whatever we're doing and she's such a happy little girl. She's a huge feeder though and is already in the same nappy size as Ash! Wish Ash would drink my breastmilk, it might fatten her up like her sister.
We really feel incredibly happy and complete, having our 2 girls. Of course, Ciara will never be replaced or forgotten and she will always be part of our family. However, it's really nice for Ash to have someone else to boss around, besides us!
Speaking of Ash, she's doing really well with her eating, speaking and socialising. She's all chat now, tells me what she wants to do, wear, see, eat.....the lot! She's a very good little kid though and doesn't seem to be experiencing the terrible twos...so far anyway. She's still quite restricted physically, but it doesn't seem to bother her much. She's turned into such a happy little kid since her gastrostomy and casts were removed before Christmas.
The plan for Ash at the moment is to work on strength and hopefully in time, she'll be strong enough to stand unsupported and then start walking. There's been a lot of debate about whether Ash should have more botox, casting, surgery or nothing at this point. We ended up getting three opinions from 3 different orthopedic surgeons as we weren't happy with decisions being made about her treatment. The offshot of it is that we should do nothing for now, (which we are thrilled about), except plenty of physio and stretching (night splints). There's still about a 15-20 degree bend on both of her knees and if she starts walking soon, she may well pull most of this contracture out herself. If that doesn't happen, we will move onto the next course of treatment, which is more casting, and then if this doesn't work, she'll have to have surgery, releasing the back of her knees. However, this is major surgery so if it can be avoided, it will. All of the surgeons agreed on this point.
Despite her restrictions though, she's well able to get on with play, the same as all the other kids at the play groups we go to. She goes to PlayCentre twice a week and loves the sand pit, the water play, the swing, the music area etc. In fact, she loves music so much that we go to a music class once a week too, which she then talks about for the rest of the week! Finally I have to mention her favourite toys....Despite the fact that she loves hair accessories, bags, mobile phones etc......her favourite toys by far are cars and balls!!! I'm thinking of getting her a Bob the Builder or Thomas The Tank Engine DVD one of these days!
Lots of love xxx
Ashling is lovin being a sister! She's really lovely with jamie, always wanting to include her in everything we do. We really have been so blessed with a healthy little girl who is so easy and placid, and her older sister shows no jealousy towards her whatsoever!
Jamie is a breeze so far, she just falls in with whatever we're doing and she's such a happy little girl. She's a huge feeder though and is already in the same nappy size as Ash! Wish Ash would drink my breastmilk, it might fatten her up like her sister.
We really feel incredibly happy and complete, having our 2 girls. Of course, Ciara will never be replaced or forgotten and she will always be part of our family. However, it's really nice for Ash to have someone else to boss around, besides us!
Speaking of Ash, she's doing really well with her eating, speaking and socialising. She's all chat now, tells me what she wants to do, wear, see, eat.....the lot! She's a very good little kid though and doesn't seem to be experiencing the terrible twos...so far anyway. She's still quite restricted physically, but it doesn't seem to bother her much. She's turned into such a happy little kid since her gastrostomy and casts were removed before Christmas.
The plan for Ash at the moment is to work on strength and hopefully in time, she'll be strong enough to stand unsupported and then start walking. There's been a lot of debate about whether Ash should have more botox, casting, surgery or nothing at this point. We ended up getting three opinions from 3 different orthopedic surgeons as we weren't happy with decisions being made about her treatment. The offshot of it is that we should do nothing for now, (which we are thrilled about), except plenty of physio and stretching (night splints). There's still about a 15-20 degree bend on both of her knees and if she starts walking soon, she may well pull most of this contracture out herself. If that doesn't happen, we will move onto the next course of treatment, which is more casting, and then if this doesn't work, she'll have to have surgery, releasing the back of her knees. However, this is major surgery so if it can be avoided, it will. All of the surgeons agreed on this point.
Despite her restrictions though, she's well able to get on with play, the same as all the other kids at the play groups we go to. She goes to PlayCentre twice a week and loves the sand pit, the water play, the swing, the music area etc. In fact, she loves music so much that we go to a music class once a week too, which she then talks about for the rest of the week! Finally I have to mention her favourite toys....Despite the fact that she loves hair accessories, bags, mobile phones etc......her favourite toys by far are cars and balls!!! I'm thinking of getting her a Bob the Builder or Thomas The Tank Engine DVD one of these days!
Lots of love xxx
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Feb 23rd, 2010
These are a few recent videos of our munchkins...
Some nice videos of Ash and Jamie....
Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2X2a1jGEas
Ash and Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YarSJRNhB9E
Ash and cousin, Katie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VjCqWqaCig
Some extra videos of our cousins...
Auntie Brenda and Leah, Ash and Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt2s8Yvlxco
Jamie and cousin, Katie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp_DfIFcYI0
Ash and cousin, Katie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Z_kPSyhII
Dad and Ash - very short
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jdzii9rHFQ
Lots of love xxx
Some nice videos of Ash and Jamie....
Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2X2a1jGEas
Ash and Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YarSJRNhB9E
Ash and cousin, Katie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VjCqWqaCig
Some extra videos of our cousins...
Auntie Brenda and Leah, Ash and Jamie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt2s8Yvlxco
Jamie and cousin, Katie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp_DfIFcYI0
Ash and cousin, Katie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Z_kPSyhII
Dad and Ash - very short
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jdzii9rHFQ
Lots of love xxx
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Jan 27th, 2010
Jaime is 6 week's old now. Gosh time is just flying by!
Here are a few videos I took over the last few days. Hope you enjoy them.
Jaime smiling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSQG8xeyd-o
Ash and Jaime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtsTvsfKtbE
Ash in her car!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7eCDgBxNE
Cheers, Car x
Here are a few videos I took over the last few days. Hope you enjoy them.
Jaime smiling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSQG8xeyd-o
Ash and Jaime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtsTvsfKtbE
Ash in her car!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m7eCDgBxNE
Cheers, Car x
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Some more videos 5th Jan, 2010
Ash n her cousin, David
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUEqFdLzEsk
Ger n David
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leNwTlIrv_g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUEqFdLzEsk
Ger n David
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leNwTlIrv_g
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