KENTVILLE – Annapolis Valley, meet Jack DesRoche – the first baby to be born at the Valley Regional Hospital in 2019.
Parents Emily and Peter DesRoche welcomed their fourth child Jan. 1 at 2:17 p.m. – a time they were sure meant he couldn’t be the first baby of the year.
But just after the little bundle of joy was born – weighing seven pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 52.5 centimetres in length – hospital staff confirmed he was just that.
“There was somebody else having their baby around the same time, but Jack wanted to come first I guess. He’s our little winner,” laughed Emily.
With Jack’s due date set for Dec. 29, it was two days before Emily’s labour began, and another full day until he was born.
“My water broke on the 31, but he wasn’t eager to come, so I had to be induced the next morning, and then it only took a couple hours, and he was here,” said Emily.
The couple, who live in Centreville, said they weren’t doing much when Emily’s water broke because she was already past-due, and were with their three other children ages eight, six and two.
But they said it still took them a good length of time to get organized for the hospital.
“It still took us nearly an hour and a half just to get ready to leave and come to the hospital – make sure we had everything, make sure the kids have everything, pack their bags for overnight,” said Emily.
The newborn’s full name is Jack Alexander Craig DesRoche – Alexander after Emily’s stepfather and Craig after the maiden name of Peter’s mother – and Jack just because they liked it.
“As far as Jack goes, we just liked the name. It’s a nice, good, strong name – old fashioned – I like old things,” said Peter.
The couple’s other children were “tickled pink” to welcome their youngest sibling, even if one was a little hesitant when first meeting his new sibling.
“Our youngest wasn’t quite sure what to think at first, but then he gave Jack a nice kiss on the forehead. Then he was a typical two-year-old and just ran away,” laughed Emily.
Peter said he and Emily are feeling “a little bit of everything” as they get ready to bring the newest addition to their family home.
So far, they’ve noticed he is “calm and peaceful,” and bears a possible resemblance to Peter – according to Peter’s father – when he was a newborn.
Both agree they will share his special birth story with him one day down the road.
“I’m definitely going to put it in his baby book – it’ll definitely be a good story – because it’ll be something I can’t wait to share with him when he’s old enough to understand,” said Emily.
