New Years’ baby Nicholas Daniel Owen Carifelle was born to parents Kimberley Russell and Dwayne Carifelle of High Prairie. Nickolas is being welcomed into a family of six other brothers and sisters, including brother Spencer (pictured on dad’s knee).

New Year’s baby in region born to Carifelle family Smoky River region has officially welcomed its first New Year’s baby. The bundle of joy was born at 7:17 a.m. on Jan. 3 at Sacred Heart Hospital in McLennan. Little Nickolas Daniel Owen Carifelle was born to proud parents Kimberly Russell and Dwayne Carifelle, weighing in at a hearty eight pounds and three and a half ounces. Nickolas is being welcomed into a family of six older brothers and sisters in the family home near High Prairie. “It has been a little hectic with Nickolas and our three-year-old son Spencer,” says Kimberly. “We are really happy he’s here, he’s a great addition to our family.” Kimberly explains the nights have been difficult to get used to, with a newborn and toddler in the house. She says sleep patterns have definitely been tweaked to the young children. Young Nickolas’ name was picked for him long before the Jan. 6 due date, but Kimberly says she and Dwayne settled on the middle names in the delivery room. “We finally decided on Nickolas Daniel Owen because we both really liked the names,” says Kimberly adding there is some added significance to his middle name Daniel. “Nickolas has a great-grandfather named Daniel.” Little Nickolas was just a few days early from his expected arrival. “It is normal to expect a baby a week earlier or a week later than the actual due date,” says Kimberly. “We are extremely overjoyed to have Nickolas in our family.” Kimberly went into early labour on Dec. 31, but the contractions soon stopped. “We didn’t expect to have the New Year’s baby but it is very exciting,” says Kimberly. “Spencer is absolutely in love with Nickolas, and is an excellent big brother to his baby.” She adds that having a baby on Jan. 3, they did not expect to still qualify as the first baby born in the New Year. Kimberly explains as with any new addition to a family, it takes a little while to become accustomed to the new lifestyle in the home. She says for the first few months, their family is expecting a little less sleep but a lot more love. Both mother and father, siblings too, are enthused with the new addition to their happy family. They expect great things for Nickolas in his life, and are excited to experience each bump, pitfall and success of his future. Congratulations to the Carifelle family on their beautiful new addition.