Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Introducing the winner of our Picture Your Baby competition, Róisín Hickey, withmum Danielle DeMunck and her ‘great pal’ Ispín, the sausage dog
Every December the Mothers & Babies team is charged with the difficult task of selecting the winning baby from hundreds of delightful entries that have been sent in over the year. While all babies who appear on the Picture Your Baby pages each month are little stars in their own rights, this month’s cover girl and overall winner is Róisín Hickey, who is eight months old.
Róisín and her family — mother Danielle, father Ronan and Ispín, their wirehaired dachshund — live in Dublin 20 and Róisín is a happy baby who is also quite a resolute character.
“She now lets us know if she’s unhappy, she seems determined to start walking before crawling, she’s nosy — always checking out what’s going on around her, and wants your lunch too if you try eat in front of her,” says Danielle.
Danielle, who is originally from Canberra, Australia, was working and travelling when she met Ronan, who hails from Clontarf, four years ago. Although motherhood was always on the cards for her, she didn’t know when. “Then I met Ronan and while we didn’t plan on having kids yet, accidents happen!” she says.
As with any family adjusting to the arrival of a new little person in their lives, it’s been something of an educational process.
“It’s been a challenge learning what to do and when, as well as learning how our lives have had to adapt to incorporate herself in, timing activities around naps and feeds, taking extra clothes and toys and food with us when going out,” says Danielle, who had an emergency C-section.
“I’ve had the added challenge of my tummy and pelvic rehabilitation, which has made some days difficult physically, where I couldn’t pick her up some days due to pain, and it’s been mentally and emotionally tough due to my frustration at such a slow recovery. All in all our lives have changed hugely, but we wouldn’t change it for quids.”
Róisín is clearly in a hurry to hit her developmental milestones early. She has been on solids for three months now, after kicking up a fuss every time her parents sat down to eat, until they gave her something.
“Breakfast is her favourite meal of the day and has become one of my favourite times of day with her antics,” her mother says. “Luckily so far, she hasn’t refused any food and enjoys Vegemite on toast and vegetables.”
Favourite family activities include getting out and about with Ispín on walks, as well as splashing about in the pool, visiting family or just staying in playing and reading books. Anything black or that lights up takes Róisín’s interest.
“This unfortunately includes remotes, our phones or our smart watches. So far they really only get chewed on,” laughs Danielle. Sensory toy Captain Calamari is another of her favourites.
“She’s learning the whole time and that’s really great to see — the wonder she has when she’s finding something makes noise and she’s working it out how to make that sound again,” says Danielle.
And Róisín has a special relationship with Ispín, who also stars in the photo shoot. “They are great pals. We thought we might have a bit of trouble with him but he can be quite protective of her,” says Danielle.
“He’ll jump on the bed and lie next to her. At night, if we go in to put her dummy in, he’s the first to get up and go into her bedroom — he helps to put her to sleep.”
Danielle, who is a radiographer, has mixed feelings about getting back to work at the end of January.
“I do miss work, mostly for the company and adult chat. It can feel a bit lonely if we don’t get out and see family and friends,” she says. “While I’m looking forward to returning to work, I think I’ll miss these days spent at home developing a routine of sorts, playing and seeing her discover the world around her.”
Róisín’s Australian grandparents came to Ireland for her christening, and the families stay in contact with regular video chats. Danielle, Ronan and Róisín may visit Australia next year. Right now, Danielle is simply enjoying her daughter.
She says: “It’s great to see her grow and develop and we’re looking forward to Christmas and beyond. We enjoy wondering what kind of person she’ll grow to be and what interests and accomplishments she’ll have along the way.”
We enjoy wondering what kind of person she’ll grow to be, what interests and accomplishments she’ll have along the way