COVID may have stopped us in our tracks but new life always makes the world a better place.
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Meet the COVID babies of Port Macquarie-Hastings.
Restrictions have meant many new mums and dads have not been able to share those precious first hugs and kisses with family. Grandparents have not been able to hold their little bundle of joy and the baby love has been shared in pictures and video only.
We want to share the love and welcome the babies of 2020 to the world.
Every journey to parenthood has been different but equally as special for our Hastings families.
- Don't forget to grab a copy of the Port News Friday, August 28 for our special Babies of COVID feature.
Welcome: Darcy Robert James
For Kari and Ben James of Port Macquarie little Darcy's arrival on June 5 came with all the emotion of family isolation, loss and loads of immense love that help us make it through the toughest of times.
"Little Darcy arrived at 1.16am at Port Macquarie Base Hospital," Kari explained.
"My parents Robert and Rosanna Richards had always planned on being here with us from the UK to help look after our daughters Gracie and Mila while we adjusted to life as a family of five.
"Sadly my father passed away in April. The funeral was on May 1 and due to travel restrictions and the late stage of my pregnancy, unfortunately I was unable to attend his funeral and haven't been able to see any of my family since.
"And due to the travel restrictions and a rejected visa by the home office due to the pandemic, my mother was unable to be here. We have everything crossed that she will be able to join us soon.
"We have three children under three so could do with the extra support.
"We are so grateful to live in such a wonderful place like Port Macquarie with wonderful facilities for families, such friendly locals and a hospital with the most wonderful staff.
"We only moved back to the region in December, we are loving every minute.
"The week prior to Darcy's arrival our youngest daughter Gracie scared us with a prolonged seizure which saw her flown to John Hunter in Newcastle. We spent five days there with her in ICU before being discharged back to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
"We arrived home just one day prior to Darcy making his grand entrance into the world."
Darcy is a little brother to Mila and Gracie and a grandson for Rosanna and the late Robert Richards of Cambridgeshire UK; and Ian and Jeanette James of Sydney.
Welcome: Onyx Pawlowsky
For Kim and Luke Pawlowsky of Port Macquarie, they waited 18 cycles with the support of Louise Harper and Dr Ray Hodgson before conceiving baby Onyx.
"Onyx ended up arriving one week early (on June 1). He's too damn cute and we're very proud parents," Kim said.
He is the couple's first child.
Grandparents are Bob and Booey Walker of Yarrahapinni; and Peter and Diane Pawlowsky of Aldavilla.
Welcome: Harper and Iylah Hartwig
Naomi Lawrence and Dylan Hartwig welcomed twins Harper and Iylah into the world.
"I was in admitted into John Hunter Hospital as an inpatient at 23 weeks where I stayed until the girls were due by C-section at 32 weeks," Naomi explained.
"They were MCMA twins - a rare type of twin, they share the same sac and placenta - they also had cord entanglement which was monitored daily.
"They were in John Hunter ICU for their first five days of life before being transported home to Port Macquarie via NSW ambulance plane at five days old were they spent six weeks in Port Macquarie Base Hospital special care.
"During my time in John Hunter I was unable to see my son for five weeks due to COVID restrictions and was only allowed my partner Dylan to visit which made it very difficult being away from home for so long."
Born on April 6, Harper weighed just 1.6kgs and her sister Iylah 1.4kgs.
Big brother Boston has been making up for it with plenty of cuddles.
Grandparents are Greg Hartwig from Port Macquarie; Shirley and Mark Atkins from Laurieton and Ian and Sharon Lawrence from Singleton.
Welcome: William Peter Burgess
Ashleigh Gardoll of Port Macquarie is a midwife and knew she would be in expert hands when baby William decided it was time.
Ashleigh and partner Peter Burgess welcomed their little boy William on April 21.
"I am a midwife and was lucky enough to give birth with the amazing support of my fellow colleagues," Ashleigh said.
"I will be forever grateful for Kate and Sam (student midwife) for helping William earth-side safely."
William makes baby number four for the family. He is a little brother for Indie, 9; Elliot, 7; and Georgia, 2.
Grandparents are Stephen and Penelope Gardoll of Port Macquarie; and Geoff and Maryrose Burgess of Port Macquarie.
Welcome: Charlie June Cook
For Laura and Michael Cook of Cockatoo, Victoria, baby Charlie was not waiting any longer than she had to.
She arrived in a hurry on May 31.
"Charlie was in such a hurry to meet us all she was born in the car on the way to the hospital," Laura said.
"She is yet to meet her grandparents in Laurieton due to travel restrictions from COVID."
Charlies grandparents are Carol Hindmarsh of Lakewood and Tony Hindmarsh of Laurieton.
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