Couple welcome two babies in 11 months during lockdown as they become family-of-four

A couple whose first baby was born barely a week into the UK's coronavirus lockdown were stunned to discover they had another on the way just three months later.

Now Daniel Tudor, 33, and Kimberleigh Harries, 30, have gone from being a couple to a family-of-four in less than a year - and all during a global pandemic.

Hudson-Cole Tudor was born on April 2 last year, just nine days after Boris Johnson ordered Brits to stay home as the pandemic took its grip.

The country was still in the throes of the crisis when the pair, from Leigh, Greater Manchester, got the surprise news Kimberleigh was pregnant again.

Daniel said: “It was petrifying, I’m not going to lie, and we both were petrified - being just three months in after Hudson being born. But we wanted two children so we were both happy."

Little Jaxson Thomas arrived early on March 12 this year.

Daniel said: “It’s been the best feeling being home, for both of us - being new parents it’s just the best feeling every day watching Hudson growing up.

"He’s such a little character and even Jaxson already - you should see Hudson kissing him. He goes to Jaxson and gives him kisses on his head.”

As the UK approaches the one-year anniversary of lockdown this week, the new parents are among a rare handful to welcome two babies in lockdown.

The first-time parents didn't know what to expect when they returned home with newborn Hudson, Daniel recalled.

“It was scary to be honest. Obviously with lockdown we didn’t know what was going to happen - nobody did - or how serious Covid was.”

Kimberleigh gave birth to Hudson at Wigan Hospital, where Daniel was only allowed to see his son for an hour under the restrictions just coming in at the time.

Daniel said it was "tough" not being able to be there for his partner and newborn son, but described the maternity ward staff as "absolutely amazing."

Like couples up and down the country who found themselves welcoming a baby in the first lockdown, they were completely on their own - and with no idea just how long the crisis would keep them apart from loved ones.

Daniel recalled: “With your first child normally you would get a lot of help from family. It was scary as we were very new parents and we did the best we could."

Their friends and family were only able to 'meet' Hudson over video calls at first - and in what feels like deja vu - they are now doing the same with his little brother.

It was four months before Hudson got to meet his grandparents for the first time - starting with Daniel's mum.

Daniel said: "He was the most special, brightest baby. When he met everyone we worried he wouldn’t cuddle. But with mum it just happened, he was completely happy. He is such a character.”

Only Hudson has met the little lads' aunt, Charlene Colcough, through windows at first as she shielded during her treatment for breast cancer.

Before the current restrictions she was able to hold him for the first time, Daniel said.

“She used to drive over and stand outside the window and just look in at him," he added.

Extended family are yet to hold Jaxson due to current restrictions, as hugs remain banned and the vaccine rollout is yet to protect everyone in the family.

Daniel, who lost his work as a taxi driver in lockdown, said it had been a “tough” year to start a new family.

Kimberleigh, a carer for the elderly, hopes to return to work later this year. Meanwhile Daniel is now training to be a lorry driver.

He says he feels lucky to have had more "special" time at home with the new babies than he would have before Covid hit.

Under usual paternity leave arrangements, he would more than likely have had to miss that precious time to return to work while Kimberleigh stayed home with the boys alone.

Daniel said: "It’s been amazing for me being here. It’s been hard losing work and living on Universal Credit.

"I’ve worked all my life - since I was 13. But at the same time, I feel lucky to be here in this time with my sons, being here for my partner.

“I’ve been able to be here for my sons’ first weeks - I’d never be able to get that time before all this.”

“A few weeks in that’s when they’re starting to really look at you and know you. As parents that’s the most special time."