Pond Inlet (Jan 10/05) - Delano Jayco Oqalik from Pond Inlet is Nunavut's first baby of 2005, born at 5:01 a.m Jan. 1 at the Baffin Regional Hospital.

Cynthia Atagootak, 15, holds her New Year's baby boy, Delano Jayco Oqalik Atagootak. - photo courtesy of Samantha Angnatsiak

The baby's mother, Cynthia Atagootak, 15, was in the Anglican church in Iqaluit on New Year's Eve when she felt the contractions. Fourteen hours later, her baby boy was born, weighing a healthy eight pounds, 10.1 ounces.

"He looks like his dad," said Atagootak laughing, and sounding remarkably perky after the long plane ride back home to Pond Inlet on Wednesday.

Atagootak's family members were waiting at the airport in Pond Inlet for their first peek at little Delano.

Tears of joy

Martha Merkosak, Atagootak's grandmother, cried when she saw the baby.

Merkosak said the baby reminds her of her son, Robert Angnatsiak, 33.

Angnatsiak, who is Atagootak's father, said he must be the youngest grandfather in Pond.

Delano is his first grandchild.

"I am so happy," said Angnatsiak, sounding every bit the proud grandfather.

"The due date was Jan. 6 so it was even earlier than expected."

Atagootak said she was very happy - as well as a little nervous about being a new mom.

But looking at her new baby was all the comfort she needed.