Meet Montgomery, B.C.’s first baby of 2017
Infant was due Dec. 30 but entered the world ‘right at the stroke of 12’ on New Year’s Day
With a distinguished name and a keen sense of timing, Montgomery Edward Henry Harlos seems destined for greatness already — and he’s not even a day old.
Little Monty arrived promptly at the stroke of midnight, weighing in at 8 lbs., 14 oz., sporting a full head of black hair and winning the title as B.C.’s first baby of 2017.
Parents Dana and Peter Harlos were not watching the clock when he made his appearance — Dana had been in labour well over 24 hours by the time Montgomery was born.
He was expected Dec. 30, said Dana, as Monty slept in her arms blissfully unaware of the camera crews that had been coming and going all morning. “We knew it was a possibility, but we didn’t think he would be the New Year’s baby.”
The couple had arrived at BC Women’s Hospital on the Dec. 30 at 2:30 in the afternoon, but labour slowed down and the couple was sent home on the 31st at 1 a.m. A few hours later, Dana’s labour had intensified and the couple returned to B.C. Women’s hospital. They checked in again at 4 a.m. but, with Montgomery determined to call the shots, the couple spent a long day waiting for the big moment.
Finally, at around 11 p.m., Dana’s contractions became stronger and the couple was moved to the delivery room for the final 45 minutes. “It was pretty exciting,” said Dana.
“I was watching Dana, but all the nurses and staff were watching the clock,” said Peter.
Close to midnight came one final strong contraction. “All the doctors said PUSH!,” said Peter. “Dana pushed and little Monty came right out.”
Both Dana and Peter work at the Sutton Place Hotel, and although they hail from the Okanagan, Monty has two little cousins here in the Vancouver area.
“Our friends and family were all waiting by the phones last night. They had bets on how big and when he would be born. A friend of ours, Matt, called 12:01, but he was born right at the stroke of 12,” said Dana.
Montgomery’s middle names, Edward and Henry, are after his grandfathers, and his first name fit the criteria of being both traditional and unusual. “We liked the name, and we wanted something a little more traditional and old-fashioned, and don’t know anyone with that name,” said Dana.
And perhaps befitting his distinguished moniker, Monty’s parents’ first act on their son’s behalf was to donate his umbilical cord to the Canadian Blood Services. Donated cord blood can help with stem cell transplants and is used to treat certain forms of cancer, other diseases and for research.