Codi and Cohan - Bargoed babies born into the coronavirus pandemic

Babies Codi, left, and Cohan meeting each other through the window

It’s been little over a year since the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic and the first coronavirus lockdown was introduced

In that time, we’ve all seen major changes to the way we live our lives.

But for some – the pandemic has been their entire lives.

Codi Ryan Price was born on February 24, 2020, while Cohan Dyl Gauden was born on March 16, 2020.

Both babies were born as the pandemic was beginning to take a foothold in our communities. A year later, they celebrated their first birthdays in similar circumstances.

Mums Leanne Price, 39 and Hayley Gauden, 33, are life-long friends from Bargoed, who found out about their pregnancies just days apart.

Mums Hayley Gauden, left, and Leanne Price during their pregnancies

Victoria Gauden, Hayley’s sister-in-law and baby Cohan’s aunt, said: “Both mums had complications in birth and had to have blood transfusions. They were only allowed two visitors in hospital due to the lockdown.

“I’m extremely proud of both of them. When one has been low, the other has picked them up.”

Victoria said the mums are “both in good health” now and due to lockdown measures being relaxed, are able to go for socially-distanced walks together in the park with Codi and Cohan – who have been nicknamed ‘Ronnie and Reggie’ after the infamous Kray twins.

She added: “Technology has been a godsend – we’ve all been able to see the babies through Facetime, video calls and through pictures on WhatsApp.”

Victoria first met her nephew through the window of mum Hayley’s house – and had to wait until he was four months old before she could cuddle him for the first time.

Victoria said: “I’m sure their mams will have plenty of stories to share with them in years to come of their first year in lockdown.”

Family photo