Three is the magic number as parents welcome New Year's Day babies

January 1 turned out to be blooming lovely for Jobie Essex (22) and partner Adam Ripley (31), of Holmes, after daughter Poppy Ripley arrived just hours into 2023.

Jobie (below) said: “I had just got in bed when my waters broke at 1am.

“We got to hospital at quarter to two and I had her at 2.33am.”  

Poppy, who weighed 7lb 7oz and was due a day earlier, is baby sister to big brother Noah, who is 18 months old, and who, in a roundabout way, inspired her name.

“When I first found out I was pregnant with my son, I was told he was the size of a poppy seed,” said Jobie.

“I liked the name and kept it in mind for if I had a daughter.”

When it came to naming her first baby boy, Michelle Whearty (below) decided granny knows best with mum of partner Michael Pearson (31) choosing his name.

Teddy Pearson was a day early, with Michelle having a worrying labour.

After her waters broke, it was discovered Teddy had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, meaning the 36-year-old was rushed to theatre before being moved to the labour ward.

“We’re so relieved everything was OK and he’s all right now,” said Michelle, who was able to take baby Teddy home to Dinnington after staying overnight in the hospital.

The 6lb 1oz baby has been welcomed by his six older sisters, whose ages range from five to 18.

Baby Theo James also arrived on New Year’s Day — just — as he was born at 11.59pm.

Mum Harriet James (28), of Brinsworth, said: “He was due on January 11 although I was going to be induced on the sixth — then that changed to the fourth.

“My waters broke at ten in the morning on New Year’s Day.”

Theo, who weighed 6lb 13oz, is the first baby for Harriet (main pic with husband Adam and Theo) and it was a grandparent who also inspired his naming.

“We chose his name after my husband’s grandad who is no longer with us,” added Harriet. “Theo was his middle name.”