Three north-east families got extra special festive deliveries yesterday.
It was a busy morning for staff at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital as the new arrivals came thick and fast before dawn had even broken on Christmas morning.
Kayson McKenzie was first to make his entrance, tipping the scales at 6lb 12oz.
He came into the world at 2.17am – but he had already kept his parents waiting for most of the week.
Mum Chloe Cruickshank, from Huntly, said: “He was meant to come of the 20th, but he clearly wanted to hang on and be a Christmas baby.”
The 21-year-old added: “We got in at about 11pm, I was driven all the way down by my partner.
“I was all right, but there was a bit of a panic when I came in and we realised he wasn’t going to come easy.
“I’ve got a son at home, so I’m sad I’m not at home with him, but at least he’ll get an extra present of a new brother when I get back.”
A short time later Aberdeen couple Antonia and Thomas Croll welcomed their daughter Thea into the world.
She weighed-in weight of 8lb 13oz at 2.32am, although she had been due to arrive on December 12.
Mrs Croll, 30, said: “She’s been quiet so far, but I don’t think it will last. She looks like me, but with her dad’s disposition.”
Mrs Croll revealed the special meaning behind Thea’s middle name.
“Her middle name is Lynette, which was Thomas’s mother’s name, who has passed away.
“She would have liked it, because her favourite day of the year was Christmas, so to have her actually be here on Christmas is amazing.”
Just over a couple of hours later, Joanita D’Souza gave birth to her daughter Enora, who scaled 7lb 7oz.
Ms D’Souza, from Torry in Aberdeen, said: “I was very worried, scared, there were a lot of mixed feelings as this is my first baby.
“But all the pain, everything was just forgotten when I had her in my arms.”