Good things often appear in small packages, and, sometimes, come as a total surprise.
Zachary Zane Kroetch made his debut into this world on New Year’s Day. His appearance wasn’t a surprise to his mom and dad, Jen and Dillon Kroetch, who had waited the usual nine months for his arrival. However, the fact he was Rimbey’s New Year’s Baby did surprise his mom, who was due to deliver her child Dec. 27.
Her husband, a heavy equipment operator, however, was convinced his son would be born New Year’s Day.
“His daddy intuition told him it was going to be a New Year’s Baby,” Kroetch said, glancing at her husband, who was cradling his son and smiling proudly.
The baby was born at 9:34 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre and weighed seven pounds, 15 ounces.
Kroetch, who had experienced contractions off and on for some time, was admitted to the hospital at around 3:30 a.m. Jan. 1.
Her husband and her mother, Deana Harris, were with her in the delivery room when the baby was born.
On Jan. 2, mother and child were doing well, and both were ready to be discharged.
“I feel good. I’m ready to go home,” said Kroetch. “I’m ready to have a shower in my own shower and eat something that tastes good.”
The Kroetchs, who live outside of Rimbey near the Medicine Lake Road, also have a 2-1⁄2-year-old daughter, Rachel.