Proud parents Yvan and Joanie Levasseur welcomed their baby boy, Félix Levasseur, into the world on Jan. 1 at around 3:30 p.m. who became instantly famous as Bonnyville's New Year's Baby of 2014.
Félix, weighing in at 7 lbs. 2 oz, is the first child for the couple from Cold Lake and they couldn't have been happier.
The couple had originally planned to have their baby at the hospital in Cold Lake but a lack of nurses on duty at the time caused them to change plans and deliver their baby boy in Bonnyville.
“Everything turned out more than well,” said an excited Yvan. “Mom is doing really well.”
Joanie said there were a few times before Christmas where she thought the baby was going to arrive early. Fortunately for the family, baby Félix arrived on Jan. 1, his exact due date.
“Normally people have (their baby) before or after,” said an obviously thrilled Joanie. “But Félix came on the real due date.”
Both parents were eager to get back to Cold Lake and take their newborn home for the first time. Yvan works at the military base and Joanie is a teacher at Saint Dominic Elementary School.
The family was surprised to receive a basket of gifts from the Bonnyville Health Centre Ladies Auxiliary presented in celebration of Félix arrival as the first baby of 2014 in the community.
The basket was full of various items, such as a teddy bear; a blanket and other items needed for baby care.
Long-time auxiliary member Olive Martin has been presenting a gift to Bonnyville's new year's baby for many years on behalf of the auxiliary and always looks forward to each year's new arrival.