Quesnel’s first baby of 2018 arrived Jan. 1 at 1:17 p.m.
Baby Amora Marie Desnomie was born at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital to mom Kayla Desnomie and dad Todd Bird, weighing 6lb, 13oz.
Amora was also welcomed home by her big sister, four-year-old Emmylia, who was also almost a holiday baby – Kayla went into labour with Emmylia on Mother’s Day, but didn’t give birth until the morning after.
The family is new to Quesnel, having moved here from Saskatchewan about six months ago to be nearer to Kayla’s parents, and for Todd to take the power engineering program at the College of New Caledonia.
Amora’s due date was Jan. 9, but Kayla says she was having contractions for a few days before New Year’s Day.
“My mom and I were walking the River Walk in -20 weather, trying to get labour going,” she says.
It worked. Kayla pushed for fewer than 10 minutes, and Amora was born. Mom and baby were well and healthy and were discharged from the hospital after just 24 hours, back to the comfort of their North Quesnel home.
Kayla says Amora is sleeping well so far, and is starting to become more alert during the day.
“She’s already strong, trying to hold her head up,” says Kayla’s mother, proud grandma Rhonda Gutoski.
The couple say they are pleased with Amora’s special birthday.
“She’ll always have the day off on her birthday!”