A NEW baby is a special time for anyone, but for Eilidh Marshall, from near Duns, the arrival of Carys means her family has expanded to five generations.
Born on November 5 at 8lb 11oz, Carys, a first child for Eilidh and builder Trystan Jones, is the great-great-granddaughter of Mary Veitch, 87, who lives in Yetholm.
Her daughter, and Carys’ great-grandmother, is Jeanette Wichary, who lives in Roxburgh with husband, Jim. Their daughter, Eilidh’s mum and now a new granny, is Dawn Marshall, who also lives just outside Duns, with husband, Adam.
Before Carys was born, Eilidh – who is on maternity leave from her job with the VisitScotland tourist information centre in Kelso – and family were becoming a little bit anxious as to when the new family member was going to make an appearance.
During a break in last week’s celebrations to mark Carys’ first visit to the home of her great-gran and grandad at Roxburgh, Eilidh told us: “She was 12 days overdue and I ended up being induced, but it was still four days before Carys arrived after an emergency C-section (Caesarian operation).”
Great-granny Jeannette says all the family is over the moon: “It’s just great having Carys here. It’s just wonderful.”
Mary can now boast her first great-great-grandchild to add to her 17 great-grandchildren, 11 grandchildren and five children.
“It’s very good. It’s sometimes a bit tricky keeping track of everyone’s birthdays, but the rest of the family keep me right,” she laughed.