Born at 1:05 a.m. in Richmond Hospital, the second son of Tanya and Jure Krpan officially became Richmond’s New Year’s baby when he popped out at an even eight pounds, just 12 minutes ahead of another baby next door.
Baby Krpan — who’s yet to be fully named — decided he would enter the world at around 10 p.m. as the couple was hosting family for New Year’s Eve at their Seafair home. Tanya said she began to feel cramps earlier in the day and, combined with the Dec. 28 due date, neither parent ruled out going into labour that night.
“We were kind of joking about having the New Year’s baby. I grew up in Richmond and always read the papers and saw the New Year babies. When (Tanya) went into labour, I thought, ‘this could be us,’” said home-builder Jure, 33.
The baby is the couple’s second child, as they already have a 21-month-old toddler, also a boy.
“He was quick (being born) but now he’s calm and cool, so we’re hoping he stays like that. My other is a little bit rambunctious,” said interior designer Tanya, 34.
A lot of things went right for the Krpan baby to make history.
Dr. Shelly Jetzer — the Krpan’s family doctor, who delivered the baby — had booked the last room in the maternity ward after Tanya had visited her earlier in the morning. Had she not, it may have meant a trip to Vancouver.
But when they arrived at the hospital, they found out another woman was already in full labour.
“We thought it was game over,” said Jure. The express labour proved to be the “winning” factor. “It happened so fast... when we found out, it was a really exciting scene,” said Jetzer.
Jure said they planned to name the baby by today (Friday.) Go to www.richmond-news.com to find out their decision.
