They weren't expecting a new year's baby, but Lake Country residents Mike Thompson and Andrea Heagle couldn't have been happier about the early arrival of their adorable little bundle.
Miller John Thompson was born at 2:32 a.m., Jan.1—over two weeks ahead of schedule—and weighed in at seven pounds three ounces.
He was initially dubbed the region's first New Year's baby. Later, however, it was made clear that he's Lake Country's New Year's baby, alone.
A home-birth to a Kelowna family, clocked in at 1:49 a.m., edged Miller out of the first Okanagan baby space.
Confusion about the region's two newest residents arose from the fact that Interior Health officials were first informed about Miller's birth, given that he arrived at Kelowna General Hospital and his parents were easily able to give consent to release their names to the media.
The health authority did not have any information about the home-birth family until after the New Year's baby announcement was made. Nor were they given consent to release that family's contact information. It was after a family member went online after the fact to get things straight, when health authority representatives learned about conflicting information.
Miller's parents, however, aren't bothered one way or the other.
He's their first New Year's baby and his arrival date is far less important than his overall well being.
"I don't want to be cliche, but we were just happy to have a healthy boy," said Miller's dad, Mike.
"He's been phenomenal, He barely squawks, he eats and sleeps really well—it's all been really good."
The family was just being discharged from the hospital Friday morning and mother Andrea looked calm, collected and ready to get on with the business of raising an up and coming hockey star.
At least that's what dad-Mike is hoping— and if Miller's birth story is any indication, it may be in the cards.
"We were at home and Andrea felt that her water broke," he said.
That happened at around 1 p.m., but instead of panicking the couple decided to stay home to watch the Canada US junior hockey game.
"I was more worried about the hockey game than anything else," Mike said, with a laugh.
Some time after Canada won 5-3, the family headed to the hospital.
"Nurses checked out Andrea and she was still a little bit away, so we went to a friend's house," Mike said.
Around five hours later, at 10 p.m., they returned to KGH and Andrea was in full labour by around 1:30 a.m.
"It went great…she had no drugs or anything, and we got to enjoy him right away," said Mike, adding that the staff at KGH are "phenomenal."
Awaiting Miller at home is his big sister by five years, Cameron Rose.
"She's so excited, she's going to be a great big sister," said Mike.