Published: Thursday, 31st December, 2009 6:25am

Meet our beautiful Christmas baby

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SHE may have taken her time getting here, but East Lothian's first Christmas baby was well worth the wait for her overjoyed Longniddry parents.

Little Kirsten Newlin, eight pounds and six ounces, was born at 10.46am at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Christmas Day, after mum Gillian, 29, endured an exhausting 22-hour labour, with husband Steve dutifully at her side the entire time.

Steve, who is originally from Manchester, described the labour as "12-hour back massage" and praised his wife of three years for her strength during the gruelling wait for their first child to arrive.

He told the Courier: "It was a hell of a labour, Gill was in such pain but she coped brilliantly.

"The baby was due to arrive on December 18 but there had been no sign. Then on Christmas Eve I was at work in Loanhead when she called me to say at 2pm to say she had gone in to labour and I just raced back home."

Kirsten was eventually delivered safe and sound by an emergency Caesarian after Gillian - originally from North Berwick - developed complications and is now back home with mum and dad at their Canty Grove Home (see picture).

"She's like a little Christmas pudding," said a very proud Steve, 31.

"It's the best Christmas present anyone could ever get and I can't wait for the ice to melt so we can get out there and show her off!"

He added: "The staff at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary were absolutely top drawer and we'd both like to thank them very much for all their hard work."