A Jasper couple left its mark on the Hinton Healthcare Centre early this month when mother Diana Donat gave birth to the town’s New Year’s baby.
Markus Jan Valecia was born at 9:27 a.m. on Dec. 3, making him the first baby of the year born in the Hinton hospital.
Markus weighed in at eight pounds 13 ounces, and measured 21 inches.
On Jan. 7, mom, baby and dad Philip Valencia were all in good health and spirits. Which is lucky, Donat said, considering she just barely made it to the hospital in time.
Holding Markus in her arms and smiling at him, Donat admitted that she almost ended up giving birth to him on the road. Doctors had told her she was due on Jan. 1, and when Markus finally decided to enter the world, he did so quickly.
“When we got to the hospital I wanted to push right away, so I didn’t get a chance to put [a] gown on.
“As soon as I got there and they got my information, I jumped into the bed and pushed,” she said with a laugh.
Donat said that since they’ve been back in Jasper things have been pleasantly busy, with friends and family crowding into their house, and newspapers calling to talk to the parents about their New Year’s baby.
“It’s exciting,” she said. “But also very busy.”
Trevor Nichols
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