New family additions for the new year

Two Thatcham couples had extra reason to celebrate the new year, after having their first child on January 1.
Anna Skalna-Franczak and Maciej Franczak, both aged 32 and who work together as healthcare assistants, became first-time parents at 4.44am on January 1.
And clearly not one to miss out on a celebration, Floella Bell Adams was born at 3.51pm on New Year’s Day – three weeks before she was due – to mum Laura Waters and dad Luke Adams, weighing 6lb 12oz.
Both were delivered at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
Enjoying family life back in their Kennet Heath home, Miss Waters said: “She is a little pudding, absolutely perfect. It is really overwhelming, you can’t explain it. It’s quite incredible and an amazing way to start the new year.
“Nothing can quite prepare you for being a mother – it is venturing into the unexpected and the unknown, but I’m enjoying it and I am so happy.”
The 26-year-old, who works for West Berkshire Council within elderly homecare, recalled the moment she realised Floella was on her way.
“We were round my mum’s [home] to see in the new year and I hardly slept that night because I was so uncomfortable,” she said. “Early in the morning, I called the labour line and when I arrived at hospital I was already 7cm dilated. It all happened very quickly.”
Although the labour went without a hitch, Floella being born early did cause one or two problems.
“The car seat wasn’t due to be delivered until January 6, so my sister had to go out to Mothercare to buy one, but we’re all sorted now,” she said.
Regarding the choice of name, she said: “I liked the name Flo, but I also liked the name Ella, so in the end I decided to combine the two.”
Miss Waters also paid tribute to her partner Luke, aged 25, an electronics inspector in Reading.
“If it wasn’t for Luke I don’t think I could have done this. He was there for me through absolutely everything and was my rock.”