Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 04/02) - Doctors told Katie and Mike Beaulieu their baby would put in an appearance New Year's Day.

Baby Beaulieu had other plans.

Baby Beaulieu arrived at Stanton Regional Hospital early Thursday morning. The newborn is Yellowknife's first newborn of 2002. - Kevin Wilson/NNSL photo

Tipping the scales at nine pounds three ounces, Yellowknife's first baby of 2002 took his sweet time, arriving at 4 a.m. sharp Thursday morning.

Despite the late delivery and 26 hours of labour, Katie Beaulieu says the childbirth, "went really smoothly."

"He was just a little slow on the go," added proud papa Mike.

Katie admitted to being a little impatient when she didn't go into labour New Year's Day.

After feeling a little twinge the next day, she gave her husband the heads-up.

"I told Mike that I'd probably have it ... sometime this week," she laughed.

The as-yet-unnamed newborn joins big brother Mitchell, 6, and sister Paige, 4.

"He's got lots of wrinkles," Paige said.

An "exhausted" mom managed to sleep for three hours after the big event before getting up for Baby Beaulieu's first feeding.

"I've been up ever since," she said, as yet another knock on the door disturbed the family's reverie.

Stanton Regional Hospital's chief executive officer, Dennis Cleaver, stopped by to congratulate the couple and present them with a gift basket and plaque.

"We do this every year," for the New Year's baby, said Cleaver.

The Beaulieus, it would seem, believe in sending their young ones into the world prepared.

New year's babies around the north

Nunavut won this year's New Year's baby footrace in the North. Here's a rundown of New Year's babies in the North.

- Anita Pee made her arrival at Baffin Regional Hospital at 1:33 a.m. January 2. The seven pound seven ounce Anita returns to Cape Dorset with Mom Mingiariaq Friday.

- Jason Nasogaluak Jr., took silver, arriving at 11:01 a.m. Wednesday. Weighing in at eight pounds 14 ounces, Jason will return to Tuktoyaktuk with mom Marlene and dad Jason, Sr.

- Baby Beaulieu took gold in the weight category, tipping the scales at nine pounds three ounces. The bronze medalist in the timing category arrived at Stanton Regional Hospital at 4:00 a.m. Thursday.