Lilah Grace makes the perfect Christmas present for parents Shannon and Paul

The couple were given the perfect Christmas present on December 25 with the arrival of their little girl.

Lilah Grace Harvey was born at University Hospital of North Tees at 9.58am on Christmas Day, weighing in at a healthy 9lbs 7oz.

Proud mum Shannon, pictured cradling the little bundle of joy in her arms, said: “When they said she was 9lbs 7oz, I thought they must be joking.”.

Lilah is the couple’s first child and Paul and Shannon, both 25, are smitten.

They took her home to Romaine Park at midnight on Christmas night.

"The labour went quite quickly but we had to wait for them to check her over,” said Shannon.

"I am in my element. It is just marvelous.

"I keep looking at her and thinking ‘Is she really mine?’.”

Lilah is already showing signs of having a mind of her own: “She was due on the 19th but decided to be a little madam and have her own way – then I was supposed to be induced on the 27th,” said Shannon.

The couple are determined that Lilah’s birthday won’t be overshadowed by Christmas celebrations in years to come.

"I always said I did not want a December baby because I did not want their birthday to clash with Christmas,” said Shannon.

"So we are going to have her birthday the week before Christmas and she is going to have a birthday in the summer, like the Queen.”

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