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New Year's baby takes her time

Lexi Grace Brulé born on the evening of Jan. 2
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HAPPY NEW YEAR Daniel and Catheryn Brulé with their New Year's Baby Lexi. photo submitted

Lexi Grace Brulé was supposed to be a Christmas baby.

"She was due the 21st of December," said new mother Catheryn Brulé, from her home in Squamish.

"We were anticipating her around Christmas and she just never showed up."

The six pound, eight ounce Lexi was born at 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2015 — the first baby born in the Sea to Sky region according to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.

"It feels pretty good... a little lack of sleep already but that's alright," said father Daniel with a laugh.

While Catheryn said the couple wasn't planning on having a New Year's baby, they still take pride in having the Sea to Sky's first of 2015.

"It's exciting... we're already obviously proud parents, but that's kind of a little bit of bragging rights for us," she said with a laugh.

According to the provincial government, nearly 44,000 babies will be born in the province in 2015.

The tradition of the New Year's baby always generates interest, to the point that the provincial government establishes special media protocols for the occasion.

This year's ultimate New Year's bragging rights go to Darlene Henley of Langley, whose baby boy was born just five seconds after midnight on Jan 1 at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock.

The Brulés opted to have their first child at their home with the help of two midwives and two doulas.

"What really appealed to us was just having a really calm, relaxing atmosphere," Catheryn said.

"The homebirth experience, it did feel very intimate. Everybody knew us, we knew them, we trusted them, and there was a lot of appointments beforehand so that we could develop that trusting relationship."

The Brulés decided on a homebirth after talking to friends who had gone through it.

"It sounded much more magical," Catheryn said.

"We had waited so long that just to have her with us right away was really important and special.

"Some people may not necessarily agree with the homebirth, but we had a really positive experience, and with the right support you can do it."

While Lexi didn't give her parents the Christmas present they were expecting, you'd be hard pressed to find a better way to start a new year.

"She obviously just wanted to wait a little bit longer for us, and I think it was meant to happen," Catheryn said.

"I think she came out when she was ready."