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

Some more videos 30th Dec 09

Happy birthday to Ger's Mam, Mary Collins!

Here are some more videos of our girls:

1. Us messing around on xmas day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WqcdWPL7yA&feature=channel

2. Ger and I interviewing ourselves before the C-section
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WqcdWPL7yA&feature=channel

3. Jaime's first bath at home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynKiKex8eCo&feature=channel

4. Jaime's first day at home - bonding with Daddy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im66SfS9bTg&feature=channel

Hope you enjoy them xxx

Jamie Rose Collins was born on the 14/12/09 3:31PM

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas to you all. Apologies it has taken me a week to get to write this but Caroline gave birth to a little girl on Monday, who we have called Jaime Rose. Both are doing extremely well, Jaime is settling in to life outside the womb and Caroline is recovering very well.

It all happened last Monday the 14th, at 3:31pm. Everything went according to plan and I am delighted to report that we are now settling in at home, me and my three girls!!. Caroline and Jaime spent one night in the hospital before transferring to a birthing centre for 4 days where they were looked after by midwifes and got time to bond, relax and recover before heading home.

Since we came home on Saturday life has been pretty hectic as we get to grips of life as 4.
I am putting up a few pictures and a few videos so you can get a better look at our little addition.

Talk soon, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2010.
Love
The Collins's

P.S. For some of you who are wondering, we decided to change Jaime's second name from Marie to Rose as she was born very red and was red for the first few days. She has changed now to "Sallow" like her dad!!! She is quiet Jaundice still and that will go with time in the NZ Sun.....

Jaime up close

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRriICGFtJw


Jaime having a bit of a stretch.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0tZKaNggrw


First night at home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA9vVYQ5-E0

Gastrostomy (Tummy Tube) Removed 4/12/09

Ash is doing better by the day. We had the tube removed form her tummy 10 days ago and we are so happy for her! She just loves telling everyone that it's gone, lifts up her top and shows her tummy to every one who as much as looks her way. The thing I'm lovin is the fact that I can finally hug her properly, with her tummy flush against my chest, without having to worry about her bloomin tube sticking out. Unfortunately, she been having problems internally since we took it out - seems like reflux - so she's not eating much and gets uncomfortable when eating - but hopefully that will settle down in the next couple of weeks.

Otherwise, she's able to stand again, that is when she's wearing her splints and when she's leaning against something. It's wonderful seeing her getting a bit of strength back in her legs after being in casts for so long.

We are getting very excited about Christmas coming and about the arrival of bubs 2. Ashling is convinced it's a baby boy so we'll have to wait and see ( as we don't know yet).

Well that's all for now. We'll post a blog as soon as there's news!
Lots of love xxx

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

Some Videos - 3 Oct, 09

Hi There, Ash is doing much better thank God. She has gotten used to having the casts on and in general, her form has improved greatly. She's having the last cast change next Friday and the Surgeons will take the wires out of her feet. Then she will have to wear the new casts for about 6 more weeks. Can't wait to be done with it to be honest - all of these appointments and anaesthetics have been way too close together for our liking. Anyway, these are a couple of videos, nothing too exciting, but they will give you an idea of where she's at at the moment.

1. Playing with her cousin, David Neville
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtBSfFZraJQ

2. Our friend Rohan playing with Ash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-d-ORfivhc

3. Being entertained yet again by cousin David
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzsBQTJ76iM

4. Ashling got a new hospital type of bed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFwa9XQkKUE

5. Cousin Daniel reading/singing stories to Ash and David
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luX00AlelaE

6. More stories..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI2JibIXhmI

That's all for now. Will be in touch after her surgery next Friday. xxx