Tillsonburg couple welcomes the county's New Year's Baby on Jan. 1 just before noon
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Babies are born when they’re ready – and Zack Navickas was ready for a party.
Oxford County’s first baby of 2016 arrived late in the morning on Jan. 1, to proud first time parents Adam and Fiona Navickas.
The Tillsonburg couple arrived at Woodstock Hospital on Dec. 31 – three days after their son’s due date.
One of his grandfathers called him “long awaited.”
“He’s a few days late, but we’re happy to have him here now,” said Adam just a few hours after his son’s birth.
The family – including grandparents and extended family – had just finished a champagne toast to welcome their new little guy.
Zack Logan Navickas joined the world at 11:58 a.m., weighing seven pounds, 9 ounces.
The new bundle of joy was quiet and sleepy as his dad rattled off his statistics.
“And he’s 21 inches,” added mom Fiona.
He's the first grandchild for Fiona’s parents, and only the second grandchild for Adam’s parents, who welcomed Zack's cousin just a few weeks ago.
Having the New Year’s Baby was a bit of a surprise for the Navickas family.
“We didn’t plan to, we didn’t expect it, but it’s a bonus. A nice bonus,” said Fiona.
“It’s pretty cool,” added Adam.
Zack received a teddy bear to mark his status as the New Year’s Baby, as well as a gift basket from one-year-old Declan Alexandre Lehner, the New Year’s Baby in 2015.
Zack decided to take his time, though not quite as long as Lehner, who was born on Jan. 2.
But it was a long labour for Fiona, who arrived at the hospital around 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 31.
She said she got lots of encouragement from other hospital guests, eager to hear about the first baby of 2016.
“Everyone was asking us, as we were doing long walks around the hospital (Thursday), ‘are you going to have the New Year’s baby?’ We said ‘that would be a treat!’”
The couple also praised the nurses who helped bring Zack into the world. Though they were tired, both parents of the New Year’s Baby said they were feeling incredibly happy.
“It’s wonderful. We’re feeling lots of love and support,” Fiona said.
As Adam and Fiona looked at their brand new son, it was clear they didn’t care what day he was born – but having the New Year’s Baby sure doesn’t hurt.
“It adds to the excitement, you could say,” Fiona said. “It’s very memorable.”