Prince County’s first baby of 2018 is Roman Murray Alan Smallman.
Roman was born at Prince County Hospital on New Year’s Day at 4:37 p.m.
He is the son of Kati Melville and Hayden Smallman of Elmsdale.
Roman was a little over eager to make a New Year’s Day debut; born at 34 weeks and three days. He was five pounds and three ounces.
Despite the early arrival, he and his mom are healthy and recovering at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Charlottetown. Mom and baby were transferred to the second facility shortly after the birth as the PCH’s neonatal intensive care unit was full at the time.
Melville said she’s grateful for the support and care her family has received.
“A big ‘thank you’ from me and Hayden to everyone in the PCH staff for everything they’ve done. It was absolutely amazing,” said Melville.
Though Roman is the first 2018 baby born at PCH, he was not P.E.I.’s first New Year’s baby overall.
That honour goes to Kaixin Wang, who was born at 6:41 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. The baby girl, weighing in at five pounds and 14 ounces, belongs to Shenyan Jiang and Tengfei Wang, of Stratford.
Still, Smallman and Melville are just happy their baby is safe and getting stronger.
It is fun that he’s going to be in the paper though. His extended family is very excited, said Melville.
“We’re blessed. Best way to start a new year,” she said.
@JournalPMacLean