It took three days in hospital followed by a C-section to get Squamish's New Year's baby to show her face.
Riya Rai, the first local baby of 2008, was welcomed into the world at 5 p.m. on Tuesday (Jan. 1).
Although due on Dec. 29, little Riya kept her parents Navdeep and Amanpreet waiting on edge until New Year's Day.
"I was in labour pains for three days. I just wanted to get it over with," said Navdeep with a smile.
Though visibly exhausted from the surgery, both parents turned giddy when describing their newborn.
"I'm so happy having a little angel," said Navdeep.
As Amanpreet tried to describe how he felt, he caught his breath several times, and then simply said, "It's great."
The long-awaited Riya seemed to have spent her extra time getting some beauty sleep, as she came out with an especially stunning face.
"All babies are cute but this one is beautiful," said registered nurse Rhonda Madsen.
Navdeep said she felt the same way when she first laid eyes on Riya.
"It was so great. I'll never forget that moment," she said.
It is the Valleycliffe couple's first child.
Doctors were 90 per cent certain Navdeep was carrying a girl, but fluid in the womb kept any certainty about her gender a surprise until birth.
As an only child, Amanpreet said he was happy to have a girl.
He explained how as an East Indian, he has always wanted to take part in the festival Raksha Bandhan. The yearly event celebrates the bond between brother and sister. It is marked by a beaded thread the sister ties around her brother's wrist to let him known he will always be cared for. The brother in turn promises he will always protect her from trouble.
The thread is worn until it breaks.
"On that day, I missed my sister," Amanpreet said, describing his own childhood.
Now if the couple has a boy, Amanpreet said he can rest assured his children won't miss out on the celebration.
Riya will not only have the support of future siblings in her life, but also that of the community. The Squamish Valley Quilters Guild has already offered the family a quilt to mark her unique birth.
The Chief is also preparing a special gift package with donations from local businesses for the baby. See next week's Chief for a special feature welcoming the New Year's Baby.
