Baby couldn’t wait for Valentine’s Day
Norwalk’s first child born in 2020 was 6 weeks early
NORWALK — Christine and Jason Bocuzzo were expecting a baby born around Valentine’s Day. Instead, their son made an early appearance and came six weeks sooner on New Year’s Day.
Owen Christopher is not only the first child for his parents, but his early arrival also made him the first baby born at Norwalk Hospital in 2020 and the new decade. The accolade came with a gift basket full of clothes and toys, although the excitement of the title didn’t hit his parents until afterward.
“During the whole thing, I was worried if my wife was all right and the baby was OK,” said Jason Bocuzzo, 36. “We had all these things that could’ve gone wrong. There was so much on my mind, but letting it settle in, it’s an amazing honor.”
Owen is still in the neonatal intensive care unit at Norwalk Hospital due to his premature arrival, but his parents said he’s doing well and can come home to the couple’s residence in East Norwalk next week. Christine Bocuzzo, 34, is due to be discharged Friday, allowing the new parents some time to set up their son’s car seat and get things ready for him.
“We were completely surprised,” Christine Bocuzzo said Thursday of her early labor.
The Norwalk native’s water broke around 2 a.m. Tuesday.
“We were like, ‘I guess we’re going to the hospital,’ ” she added.
After 33 hours of labor, Owen arrived at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Weighing 5 pounds, 9 ounces and
coming in at 18.5 inches long, Owen also has a head of dark hair like his father.
“He came out with a full head of Italian hair,” Christine Bocuzzo said. “He’s very mild mannered and easygoing. He has a little bit of our personalities in us already.”
Owen also already has a lot in common with his mother: Christine Bocuzzo was also born in Norwalk Hospital six weeks early and spent time in the same NICU.
“The Norwalk NICU has been amazing,” Christine Bocuzzo said. “They took him in right away and they were able to get him breathing. They’ve been helping him get on a good breathing pattern . ... I can’t emphasize enough the wonderful staff here at Norwalk Hospital. It’s been amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better place to do this.”