Firstborn son also a first for Wairarapa

HAPPY NEW YEAR: The McAdams family welcomed baby boy John Brax McAdams into the world on the first day of 2015. From left, Leilani, 3, parents John and Lily, and Savannah, 1. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

While many people were counting down to midnight to welcome in the new year, the McAdams family in Masterton were counting down to the arrival of their newest family member.

John Brax McAdams came into the world at 2.40am on New Year's Day, making him the first baby of 2015 born at Wairarapa Hospital.

Proud parents John and Lily McAdams were happy to see him as they had been expecting him to arrive a little earlier.

"He was a week late, he was meant to be born on Christmas Day," said Mrs McAdams.

When she went into labour on New Year's Eve, it was only a short trip across the road to the hospital from Totara St, where they live, and after four hours, John was born, weighing 3.3kgs (7lb,6oz).

He is their third child and first boy, giving sisters Leilani, 3, and Savannah, 1, a little brother. They had kept the sex of the baby a secret so it was a surprise, but they already had the name picked out.

Mr McAdams said the birth went pretty smoothly, thanks to their midwife.

Leilani and Savannah were excited to meet their brother.

"Savannah didn't want to share the baby with anybody," said Mrs McAdams.

The family moved to Masterton from the Solomon Islands three months ago but Mrs McAdams has lived in New Zealand before as her parents live here.

The McAdams said they decided to come back as Savannah was reaching school age and there was better schooling and health care here.

"In the Solomons you give birth on an iron bed with wooden slats to put your legs on," said Mr McAdams.

Their midwife Karen Forest said the maternity ward had been quiet with John the only baby born so far for 2015.