Team Fowles grew by one as parents Tiphanie and John welcomed their baby boy Linden into the world at 2:17 a.m. Monday morning, making him the first baby of 2012 at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
Linden John Lee Fowles was a healthy eight pounds 14 ounces and was the local hospital’s first birth of the new year, despite being born on Jan. 2.
“We couldn’t believe it when they told us he was the New Year’s baby,” Tiphanie said Wednesday from her Maple Ridge home.
Linden was only a day overdue, and his Jan. 2 birthday is just days before his sister Ryenne, who turns three on Jan. 12.
Between Christmas and birthdays, “It’s going to be an expensive time of year,” said Tiphanie.
John, a mail carrier for Canada Post, and Tiphanie, a district manager for a retail chain, are die-hard Vancouver Canucks’ fans, as is evidenced by their choice in baby names.
Linden’s name, of course, was inspired by long-time Vancouver Canuck captain Trevor Linden.
“We’ll be getting him a No. 16 jersey soon,” said Tiphanie.
Even Ryenne’s name has a Canuck connection.
“It was slightly inspired by Ryan Kesler,” she said.
Pediatricians at the hospital donated a combination baby stroller/car seat to the family for being the first 2012 birth.
“It was a wonderful gift,” she said. “That was very generous of them.”