I just want to buy my lockdown baby new shoes, says mum 

Charlotte Watson, who turned one recently, has still not met her grandparents in person. 

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.

The mother-of-four from Trim, Co. Meath also had to introduce little Charlotte through a window to her granddad, who flew home from the UK to meet his granddaughter.

A year on, Charlotte Hope, who turned one on March 28, still has not seen either of her two sets of grandparents who are in the UK and just 10kms away in Navan.

Emily Watson and Charlotte who turned one on March 28th in another lockdown. Emily had to give birth to Charlotte alone in hospital during the first level 5 lockdown. 

Emily can't wait to get an appointment to get Charlotte her first pair of shoes after news that the shoe shops might be able to open for children's services by appointment.

"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 said.

"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.

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

Charlotte Watson's mother Emily said: "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."

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

"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."