Covid-19 lockdown gave us more time together with the children
Tara and Malachí McCormack are delighted with their new baby sister Oonagh who is now one month old and thriving.
The infant was born last month at the Coombe Hospital weighing 7 lbs and 2 oz.
‘She’s a great big baby,’ said proud mum Deirdre, ‘I tend to have quick labours. We arrived at the Coombe Hospital at 4.30 p.m. and she was born at 5.04 p.m.’
The mum-of-three from Blessington found out she was expecting her third child in December. Deirdre said that her pregnancy wasn’t showing when Covid-19 lockdown started. Now when the family are out and about, ‘people say they didn’t know I was pregnant’.
The McCormacks enjoyed lots of time together during lockdown as dad Donal was working from home. The family decided to take an ‘extra cautious approach’ and kept to themselves. Once the initial strict lockdown measures were lifted, Deirdre said they enjoyed many walks in Russborough House and Gardens near their home.
‘It was a time for family. My husband had no commute as he was working from home. I’m a stay-at-home and we had more time to spend with the kids.’
For four-year-old Tara and 21-month-old Malachí, there was plenty of excitement during lockdown at the thought of a new baby in the house.
‘It was really exciting during lockdown. They were waiting for the baby for a long time. When she arrived, they were delighted. We didn’t find out if we were having a girl or a boy so when Donal went home after Oonagh’s birth, they facetimed and we revealed their new sister. It was as if we were all discovering it at the same time.’
Most of all, Deirdre is full of praise for the care and hard work of the staff at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin.
‘The staff were amazing. They were working so hard,’ she added.