A Bella Coola family delivered the first baby of 2019 born in Prince George. The baby girl came into the world at 7:52 a.m. on Jan. 1, born at University Hospital of Northern B.C.
According to Northern Health spokesperson Eryn Collins, “Baby Nezaya Mack was born to parents Kim Mack and Chris Nelson - weighing in at seven pounds, 10 ounces.”
The new bundle of 2019 joy will join six older siblings in the Mack-Nelson family: two sisters, Quadesha and Shalandra, and four brothers, Avery, Christian, Zayden and Kellan.
Mom Kimberly Mack spent almost a month in Prince George awaiting the arrival of Nezaya Jeannette Lee Mack Nelson, who was named in honour of her paternal grandmother and a close friend of her mothers.
“Three of us helped with her first name,” said father Chris Nelson. “Jeannette comes from my mother and Lee from Kim’s friend and coworker at the Valley Inn.”
Mack went into labour shortly before 9pm on December 31. Nelson said everything went smoothly and the baby was born happily just before 8am.
Little Nezaya was also the recipient of a very special gift from the Prince George Women’s Hospital Auxiliary.
“The Women’s Auxiliary presented her with a beautiful handmade quilt for being the New Year’s baby and also celebrating their 100th year at Prince George Hospital,” said Nelson.