The first baby born in 100 Mile House in 2014 has arrived to the delight of his parents and grandparents.
Cooper William Schalles was born at 12:41 a.m. on Jan. 8 at 100 Mile District General Hospital. The healthy, strapping baby boy weighed in at 10 pounds one ounce upon arrival, and 22 inches long.
It is the second child for his mother, Kelly, and father, Justin, who live in Ashcroft, but opted to have their baby delivered here.
Kelly was born and was raised in 100 Mile House, where her parents Ron and Karen Lawrence still reside. Upon leaving the community after graduation, Kelly chose to keep the local family doctor she had had when growing up, and returned to have her baby delivered here.
“My parents live here, and Dr. [Joanne] Lapin was my family doctor, and she delivered me, actually, and she delivered my first son, and now my second.”
Kelly said the delivery went smoothly and she was “just recovering,” but doing well and grateful for the excellent care she received.
“I was in good hands with Dr. Lapin. And the nurses, too, were really amazing.”
At two-and-a-half years old, their first child, Brandt, is “very interested” in their new family addition, she added, and was constantly asking to touch the baby – ears, hair, fingers and toes.
Justin said he’s relieved that the delivery went well and is now behind them.
“It took a lot longer than last time.”
The gender of the baby was not known ahead of time, he noted, and most folks who guessed ahead had predicted a girl.
“I was anxious to see what he was. I think it’s one of the last remaining surprises that you can have.”
Karen said it is now a busy time for the whole family, but she is very pleased for her daughter and son-in-law.
The parents said they would, of course, have been pleased either way, but Cooper’s local grandmother noted two boys growing up together had been an exciting daydream for them.
“I am just thrilled for them. And, they’ve got what they wanted – two boys.”
The proud paternal grandparents are Terry and Susan Schalles of Ashcroft, where Justin was raised, and now works at Highland Valley Copper Mine, and Kelly is a “stay-at-home mom.”
As Brandt reached out yet again to touch to his not yet half-day-old brother on Jan. 8, his father softly and quietly gave him some guidance.
“Just be gentle. He’s just tiny, remember? He’s just tiny … because he’s just new.”
