Family thrilled with new arrival
Five generations: Jean Fisher, 92, holds her 1-month-old great-greatgranddaughter Amalia Ryder, with the newborn’s great-grandmother Kathy Baker, 59, left, nana Jenna Braithwaite, 35, and mother Jordyn Braithwaite, 18, in Invercargill yesterday. ROBYN EDIE/STUFF
Newly born Amalia Ryder is the fifth generation of her family.
She has brought considerable joy to her 92-year-old great-great-grandmother Jean Fisher who had doubts about being alive to welcome the fifth living generation into the family.
‘‘I didn’t think I’d be here [to meet Amalia],’’ Jean, of Invercargill, said.
She was over the moon when Amalia was born, weighing 3.1kg, at Southland Hospital on February 1. However, medical staff moved quickly to free the umbilical cord that had wrapped around Amalia’s neck four times. ‘‘I’m pleased she’s fine and healthy and doing well,’’ Jean said.
A resident of the Calvary Rest Home, Jean has nine great-grandchildren and four grandchildren. She and her late husband Tom and their 3-year-old daughter Kathy travelled by ship from Scotland to New Zealand in 1963 for a better life in Invercargill.
Amalia’s mother, Jordyn Braithwaite spent three months of her pregnancy living on the outskirts of London with partner Cole Ryder. He had work there installing expensive sound systems in vehicles and boats.
Jordyn returned to Invercargill in September, while Cole’s work commitments kept him in England. He was home for Amalia’s birth but could only stay three weeks before heading back to England.
His work contract finishes soon and he will be back in Invercargill later in the month to buy a house for him and Jordyn.
She said Amalia hardly cried and was close to being the perfect baby.
‘‘She whines when she’s hungry,’’ Jordyn said.