ST. PAUL - The first baby born in St. Paul for 2020 came less than 24 hours after the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, and less than one year after her older sister was born on Jan. 13, 2019.
Rochelle Houle and Aaron Bull welcomed their second daughter together at 10:35 p.m. on Jan. 1 at the St. Therese - St. Paul Healthcare Centre.
Their baby girl, Aarolee Houle-Bull, weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Aarolee's name is a combination of her dad's first name, and her mom's sister's first name, Rikkilee, explains Rochelle.
The growing family also includes Rochelle's oldest daughter, 10-year-old Amatiel, and Aaron's older children, Dallas, 18, and Natasha, 12. Together, the couple welcomed their first daughter almost exactly a year ago, 1-year-old Amriel.
While she is a bit confused by her new baby sister, Rochelle says Amriel has been sweet with baby Aarolee, hugging and kissing her often.
While becoming pregnant so quickly after the birth of Amriel was a surprise to the couple, overall Rochelle says her pregnancy was normal. Aarolee even arrived almost exactly on schedule, with her original due date set for Dec. 31.
Rochelle explains that it's a running joke between friends that if you want to have a January baby, you simply need to attend Native Hockey Provincials in April, an even that both Rochelle and Aaron volunteer at.
Every year, businesses in St. Paul donate a variety of items to celebrate the new year's baby.
Rochelle and Aaron are from Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake.
