Say hello to little Sealey Holmes – who is Moray’s very first baby of 2025.
The youngster came into this world at exactly 7.31am on January 1 at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
Baby Sealey Walter Holmes – who was born at the Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital at 7.31am on January 1 – with mum EmmyLou and dad Nathan. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Sealey is the fourth addition to the Holmes family who live in Portessie.
His proud mum EmmyLou said: “He’s absolutely thriving. He’s a very calm and happy little boy.”
Sealey, whose name comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘happy’, arrived topping the scales at 8lbs 11oz.
EmmyLou said: “We dropped our other kids off in Fochabers with Nathan’s mum, then drove to Elgin.
“Sealey was born just 46 minutes after we got to the hospital. It certainly didn’t feel that quick at the time, so I was amazed when I looked at the clock.”
Baby Sealey Walter Holmes – who was born at the Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital at 7.31am on January 1 – with mum EmmyLou, dad Nathan, brothers Bodhi (left) and Hugo and sister Altaya. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
His brothers and sisters – Hugo (8) Altaya (4) and Bodhi (2) – were excited visitors onto the ward on Thursday to meet their new playmate for the very first time.
EmmyLou, who’s a project worker with Moray Council, and Nathan, who works offshore, are full of praise for the maternity staff at Dr Gray’s.
She said: “They have been completely wonderful.
“I had a few slight complications during the pregnancy so I attended the hospital a few times beforehand, and they were always so brilliant.
“It’s the third time I’ve given birth in Elgin. There were some issues with Altaya, and it was during the pandemic, so she ended up being born in Aberdeen.
Baby Sealey Walter Holmes – who was born at the Elgin’s Dr Gray’s Hospital at 7.31am on January 1 – with mum EmmyLou.Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
“The staff there were great as well, but it’s a big and very busy hospital over there, so it’s a little less person-centred than it is here at Dr Gray’s.
“I really wanted to labour here and the midwives have been amazing.”