OUT OF STEP Lockdown mum's plea to buy baby shoes for daughter's first birthday

A mum who has celebrated her baby's first birthday in another lockdown says she just wants to be able to buy her little girl her first pair of shoes and show her the world.

Emily Watson (34) had to give birth alone last year because of Covid-19 hospital restrictions and had to FaceTime her partner Tommy so he could meet his new daughter.

"A year ago, I gave birth in Mullingar Hospital with the support of only the midwives as Tommy wasn't allowed at the birth.

"As soon as I was able, I FaceTimed him to show him his daughter," she says.

"When we got home, my dad who had flown from the UK a few weeks beforehand had to meet Charlotte through a window. It was a scary time.

"Now one year on and Charlotte had her first birthday in another level 5 lockdown.

"My eldest daughter gave Charlotte her middle name, Hope, because we were hoping to see the end of the virus - and we are still hoping all those months later."

"We haven't brought her to see her great-grandparents in Navan in case it would put them at risk and she hasn't seen my grandparents, who are in the UK, yet."

Adorable Charlotte Hope was all smiles as she celebrated the milestone birthday with her family on Wednesday.

And mum of four Emily is hoping to buy her youngest daughter a very special present after Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed shoe shops will be allowed to sell children's shoes "by appointment only".

"I just want to do what other mums do and bring her for her first pair of shoes," she tells.

"She has started walking and first shoes are so important but I can't even get her measured as the shoe shops are closed.

"My four year old Jacob has flat feet and wears insoles and I can't even get him fitted properly either.

"I have never brought her shopping so apart from regular walks around a scenic spot in Trim, she hasn't been anywhere.

"I just want to bring her to the zoo or go swimming with her. All those things that I took for granted with my other babies.

"Charlotte doesn't know any difference but I do and that's the horrible part.

"Someday soon, I just want to show her the world."

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Online Editors