Say hello to the first B.C. babies born in 2021

As the world bid farewell to a troublesome 2020, the first baby to be born in B.C.in the new year arrived just 21 minutes after the countdown on Friday.

Catherine Harrison and Darcy Doberstein welcomed their first babyat the Women's Hospital and Health Centre in Vancouver.

"I think more than anything ... we are just feeling like new parents trying to figure things out," Harrison said."But obviously excited just about the added element of surprise of aNew Year's Day baby."

She said the baby girlwas due on Christmas Day, but when there wereno signsof her arriving on time, Harrison thought the babywouldarrive "later" into the new year.

"We were curious if it would end up being 2020 or 2021, especially as we got closer," Harrison added.

The parents have a few names picked out for the baby girlbut they haven't made afinal decision just yet.

The first B.C. baby of 2021 weighedin at about seven pounds and four ounces, according to the hospital or about 3.3 kilograms.

Harrision saysthey plan to introducetheir new baby tofriends and family through Zoom sessions and FaceTimewhen they get home.

Mom's answered prayer

Surrey Memorial Hospital also welcomed a baby girl on New Years Day at 12:29 a.m.

Her parents, Parvinder and Shika Panglisaid they had a name picked out for her six months agoand are excited to go home to have their newest family member meet her three-year-old sister, Nimrit.

"We named her Rehmat, which means blessing," Pangli explained. "I want to see what [Nimrit's] reaction would be."

He said they've been trying to tell their three-year-old daughter about the new babyfor the last several months, but they are unsure of how she will react now that the baby has finally joined the family.

The couple and their extended family are "overwhelmed" with joy and "feel very blessed," Parvinder said, adding that they have been able to FaceTimewiththeir relatives as the pandemic has restricted extended familiesfrom visiting the hospital.

"No one is thinking they cannot see the baby because everyone is just happy ... everybody is just excited. It's a new year and it's in the news, right?"

He said his wife has been praying for a New Year's Daybabysince their three-year-old daughter was born on Dec. 29 just a few days shy from the first day of a new year.

"My wife always prayed and I never expected it ... but I guess her prayers came true," Parvinder added.

Northern B.C. welcomes two baby boys

Two families in northern B.C. also welcomednew babieson the first day of the new year.

Baby Kace was born at the University Hospital of Northern B.C.at 4:11 a.m. to parents Jessica and Kenneth Wray of Quesnel, B.C.

According to a release from Northern Health, baby Kace weighed in at seven pounds, 11 ounces or 3.5 kilograms and will soon be joining his half-siblings Jacob and Nathan.

Parents Kristen McCaughley and Corbyn Hubley of Fort St. John also welcomed another addition to the family on New Year's Day.

Their baby boy was born at 8:21 a.m. MT at Fort St. John Hospital weighing seven pounds, eight ounces or 3.4 kilograms.

He was welcomed to the world by his two-year-old sister, Maya.