It was 3:54 a.m. on January 2 when first-time parents Tanya Desjarlais and Travis White received their New Year’s present, their son Gerald Trevor White, who was the first baby of the New Year in Lac La Biche.
Baby Gerald, named in honour of Trevor’s late father, was also a late birthday present for mom who celebrated her birthday on December 31.
Gerald was born a healthy size, weighing in at eight pounds, two ounces and 52 centimetres long.
“I just love being a parent, he’s so cute. It’s hard work but it’s definitely worth it,” said Desjarlais while feeding Gerald in her mother-in-law’s Kikino home where they are currently living.
The couple decided to name their son after Trevor’s father because it would have been the well-known Kikino resident’s first grandchild.
“It would have been his first grandchild,” said Travis, adding that his father would have been very proud.
The couple, who have been dating for almost two years, already have big musical plans for their son, with dad in local band Northern Highways and mom with a competitive jigging background.
“My father was in a band, Tanya’s whole family jigs so we plan on getting him on stage to either sing or jig once he’s a bit older. We want to keep the family legacy going,” said White, joking that his son is going to be a talented performer. “We’re putting out applications for daughter-in-laws right now.”
But for now, the couple says they are thankful to have a healthy son, thanks to the nursing staff, in particular nurses Milla and Mona, and Dr. de Ridder who helped deliver the entertainer-to-be.
“It was a very good way to bring in the New Year,” said White.
The New Year baby also received donations and gifts from several local groups and agencies, including The Ladies Auxiliary, the LLB Kinsmen and the local Elks.
