GALLERY: Meet the New Year babies bringing joy
As the country celebrated the start of a new year, families across the Black Country were welcoming their own special arrivals on the first day of 2019.
Hospital staff from across the region worked throughout the night as a number of couples welcomed their newborn babies in the early hours.
The first baby born at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley could possibly be the first born in the region, entering the world less than an hour into the New Year at 12.53am.
Mum Claire Duncombe and dad Michael Williams, both aged 27, welcomed baby boy Hunter Jack James Williams who weighed 6.10lbs.
The youngster is the couple’s second child behind big brother Oakley, aged seven, after being together for 10 years.
Claire said: “This is the perfect way to see in the New Year, he took a little bit longer than expected, but it’s a nice way to ring in 2019.
“It all went smoothly, it was nice and straightforward.
“I’ve been in since Saturday but only in labour for five hours, so it was quite quick.
“We’re over the moon, it’s strange having a small baby again, you’re in a little bubble really, but he’s here now.
“We’re going to plan a little party for Oakley for New Year as he’s missed out with the birth going on.”
Elsewhere on the ward at Russell’s Hall 30-year-old Claire Beckett, with her partner Thomas Vernals, aged 27, welcomed their third child, Grace Harriet Mary Vernals.
Born at 6.12am, she weighed 7.12lbs and is the latest edition for the family from Quarry Bank.
She joins siblings Charlotte, aged five, and William aged two for the couple who have been together for seven years.
Thomas said: “It was hard work, she was induced on Sunday at 2.30pm, it was the first time this happened, so it was more stressful than a standard birth.
“We’re tired, it’s lovely but we’re knackered, even as a bloke.
“It’s an experience and feeling that’s hard to explain.
“I think Claire deserves a drink for the New Year now, I’ll probably be dealing with the kids.”
The first baby of the New Year at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton came from first time parents Chelsea Russell, aged 25, and Ashley Wallace, aged 23.
The couple from Wolverhampton have not yet named their baby boy, simply calling him ‘Baby Wallace’.
He weighed 6.12lbs and was born at 4.27am and becomes the couple’s first child after being together for a year.
Chelsea said: “I knew he was coming on New Years Day, I can’t ever go out on New Year’s again.
“He had 19 days left to go but I had contractions New Year’s Eve, I said I wasn’t going to the hospital until it was 2019, we got here at 12.30am and had him just before 4.30am.
“I actually thought he’d come earlier as he’s been so active, but for him to come on January 1 is shocking.
“I didn’t realise he was the first in this hospital for 2019 until the midwife came and said the Express & Star want to photograph your baby.
“He’s special anyway despite that.
“I can’t put it into words, I’ve never been so happy, I’ve never seen something so perfect, I just love him.
“I really didn’t want him to come on Christmas Day, I always said it would be either then or New Year’s Day, I’m definitely happier with him coming on New Year’s.”
New and delighted parents also celebrated at Walsall Manor Hospital, where two healthy babies were born in the early hours of January 1.
Second-time mother Jodie Lawton, aged 27, welcomed Ella-Mae June Seabourne to the world at 6.11am.
The little girl weighed 7.15lb and is baby sister to Maddison, aged 16 months, and daughter to dad Nick Seabourne.
Jodie, who lives in the Butts area of Walsall, said: “We’re just over the moon with our new little girl. She was two weeks early so wasn’t supposed to be born New Year’s Day.
“We’re so pleased though - she’s just perfect.”
Partners Louise Gibbs, aged 35 and Candisha McKenzie, aged 28, became first-time mothers on New Year’s Day at Walsall Manor.
The happy couple welcomed their bundle of joy Roman Gibbs-McKenzie at 3.29am, weighing 8.15lb.