Logan's a New Year surprise
A week early but a day late. Logan White was the first baby born in Wanganui Hospital this year.
The healthy boy, who arrived at 8.46am yesterday after a seven-and-a-half-hour labour, was due on January 9.
New Zealand's first baby of the new year, William Talakai, was born two minutes into 2013 at National Women's Hospital in Auckland.
Logan's proud mother, Tracey Beamsley, 22, said she and her partner, Andrew White, 24, were expecting their son to arrive next Wednesday, so the first-born title came as a pleasant surprise.
"You're famous," she cooed.
When the Chronicle visited Wanganui Hospital's maternity unit yesterday afternoon, Logan was peacefully unaware of his birth's significance as he slept in his mum's arms.
Miss Beamsley's parents, Les and Susan Beamsley, were overjoyed with the arrival of their third grandchild and first grandson. And Logan's 4-year-old sister, Ava White, was bouncing with excitement.
The Beamsley-White family are based in Wanganui.
Mr White works at Pak'n Save and his wife is a part-time craftsperson and full-time mother.
Miss Beamsley said her labour with her daughter had also been a seven-and-a-half-hour affair. She was expecting Logan to arrive a little earlier but the delay was clearly worth it.
