Baby Evie and family settle into normal life back home – after finally celebrating Christmas

Now settling back into normal life after their extended stay in the Dominican Republic Sharon Halls and Daniel Compton flew back into the country on Wednesday.

The couple were stranded in the Caribbean country after Sharon gave birth to their daughter 12 weeks early on September 28 while at a friends wedding.

They could not fly home until Evie was big enough to cope with a pressurised aeroplane cabin.

They are now back at home in Ipswich though and have been catching up with family they have not seen for nearly four months.

Talking about the flight home, which passed without incident, Miss Halls said: “She was a dream to be honest.”

But Mr Compton added: “I didn’t go to sleep, I was checking her skin colour all the way home.”

He added the cabin crew on the flight knew who they were and even had a newspaper cutting of their story.

Since arriving home there have been medical check-ups for both mother and baby, who now weighs 6lbs 7oz. Both are still doing well.

And there have been lots of visitors eager to see the new family addition for the first time.

“There were lots of tears as you can imagine,” Miss Halls said.

“Lots of people were saying she was bigger than they thought and she got to meet her new cousin.”

After the drama of the last few months both mum and dad are looking forward to getting back into a regular, normal routine.

“I think when we have got a couple of days on our own that’s when we can go back to normal,” Miss Halls said. “I haven’t even unpacked yet.”

Mr Compton, a tree surgeon, added: “I just want to be able to earn again and provide for my family again.”

However the weekend is still reserved for celebrating with family – and tomorrow will be their Christmas Day.

A full festive meal and decorations will be laid on when the trio visit Miss Halls’ parents to make up for missing the big occasion as the family waited for the all clear to come home.