We’ve had TWO babies since start of lockdown
Couple also get engaged In their whirlwind year!
FOR many, it’s been a year to forget with lockdowns and restrictions. But for Scott Gretton and Rachel Taylor, the last 12 months have been very special as they have had two babies and became engaged.
Oscar was the first to arrive on March 31 last year, a week into the first lockdown, and he gained a brother Chester last Wednesday. That was also the second anniversary of the former teenage sweethearts rekindling their romance.
Mr Gretton, 33, proposed to Miss Taylor, 32, when Oscar was less than 24 hours old by having the words ‘Mammy will you marry my Daddy?’ embroidered onto his baby grow.
Miss Taylor, who runs a beauty business, said: ‘The last two years have been a real whirlwind, we’ve certainly been busy. I can’t imagine there are any other couples crazy enough to have two babies in lockdown.’
The pair, from Hartlepool, Co Durham, cannot wait for restrictions to ease so they can show off Chester. His brother had to be introduced to friends and family during doorstep or window visits.
When Oscar was born at 7lb 10oz after a difficult labour lasting 25 hours, the maternity unit at the University Hospital of North Tees was quiet. It was much busier 330 days later when Chester took just two hours to arrive, weighing 1oz more.
‘I think plenty of people had the same idea as us to have a baby,’ said Miss Taylor. Lockdown did have one benefit for the family, she added.
‘It’s meant Scott and I have had loads of time with Oscar. I feel like it has brought us all really close together.’ The couple’s first romance ended when they were 16. They met again when Mr Gretton, who runs a building firm, went to a restaurant where Miss Taylor worked. Their next big date is New Year’s Eve 2022 when they marry.