Christmas Day babies: Meet the region's newest arrivals
Families throughout the Black Country enjoyed a double celebration as the arrival of a new born baby added to their Christmas Day joy.
Office worker Kirsty Withnall, aged 18, and 20-year-old gardener Damion Gettings were caught out by the arrival of their baby boy 12 days early.
He bounced into the world at Walsall Manor Hospital at 1.53am weighing 7lbs 14oz before the couple had even had time to make a final decision on the name.
Kirsty confessed: “It is an overwhelming experience to have your first baby but we will now have to start Googling names to see which ones we like.” Delighted Damion added: “I am over the moon. You could not ask for a better Christmas present.”
The couple who have known each other for almost three years are currently living with their respective parents while saving up to start a home of their own.
Katie and John Wilkes were another set of parents stumped for a name although Holly and Fern were already heading their short list. Katie, a 32-year-old sales executive explained: “She came five days late but now we want to find a name we like that has a Christmas theme to mark the occasion.”
The couple from Leamore, Walsall, who have been married for five years, have a three year old daughter called Libby. The new arrival weighed 7lbs 13 oz when born at Walsall Manor Hospital at 4.40am.
Katie revealed: “We did not know the sex of the child we were expecting but Libby said she wanted a sister and so she will be very pleased.” Factory worker John added: “Christmas doesn’t come any better than this.”
On line trader Chris Badham, 33, from West Bromwich and 25-year-old warehouse worker Sarah Smith of Darlaston, were ‘elated’ at the arrival of their 7 lb 2oz first child, Emilia Rose, at 6.05am at Walsall Manor.
The couple have known each other for six years but are currently living with their relatives while saving for a home. She said: “As long as the baby was fit and healthy I did not mind what the date of her birth was.” Chris added: “We knew it was going to be a girl and I am really happy - elated. But we might have to have a good sleep first before we can really celebrate because we have been awake for two days waiting for her arrival.”
Romanian Adriana Niculescu, aged 27, who lives in Chapel Ash and works as a nursery nurse in Codsall cuddled 8lbs 6oz Darius, who was born at New Cross Hospital at 3.03am and said:
“Christmas Day was his due date and he was determined to make it his birthday. He had been really active for a long time before becoming very lazy recently. He was moving so little that I became quite worried and came in for a check up to be told the birth was due any time and I would not be leaving without the baby. It looked like being a Christmas Eve birth but he knew better and finally decided to be born after I had spent 13 hours pushing. He is my first child and, at the moment, I think the last one.
“When I rang my parents in Romania with the news they were overjoyed, just like us, and said ‘It’s a Christmas miracle.’ It is something really special to have your birthday on Christmas Day.”
Adriana, who has been in this country for five years, and partner Catalin Negrila, a 32-year-old website designer, will be returning to their home country for the Christening but intend to make their lives here. He said: “I am very proud and happy.”
Lauren Walker, 19, and shopworker Zak Fullwood from Low Hill were given a special bauble by New Cross staff to hang on their Christmas tree in coming years to mark the arrival of their son Tyler-Jay at 7.45am, weighing 8lbs 4oz.
