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

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

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

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