Oak Harbor, Clinton the first to welcome newborns in 2017

Eliette Pincin rang in the new year as Whidbey’s firstborn in 2017.

Pincin was delivered at 8:43 a.m. at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center in Coupeville on New Year’s Day. She weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20 inches long at the time of birth. She was born to mother Jolene Pincin of Oak Harbor with four generations of Pincins, including her 15 year-old sister Ashlan Pincin, in the delivery room.

Jolene Pincin said there wasn’t a better way to kick off a new year.

“I don’t think there’s a bigger way to start a new year in your life,” Pincin said. “I’m totally in love — she’s perfect. It’s one of those things where you’re always in awe when you look at them. I’m still speechless.”

The newborn’s teenage sister was instrumental in welcoming her into the world. Jolene Pincin said Ashlan Pincin was the one who cut the cord in the delivery room. According to Jolene Pincin, it’s been a moment she has looked forward to for some time.

“She’s been begging for a sibling,” Jolene Pincin said. “She was ecstatic she got a sister.”

The newborn’s mother described Eliette Pincin as a lucky baby. She was born on her due date, and with a knot in her chord. The doctors said it was a lucky knot, since she said not many babies survive similar knots.

New Year’s Day also brought a newborn to a South Whidbey family from Clinton later in the afternoon. Fritz Charles Foelber Holmes was born at 3:03 p.m. in his Clinton home to parents Chad and Carrie Holmes. Fritz Holmes weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces at the time of his birth.

Home birth private practice Assist in a Miracle delivered the newborn.

“It’s great to have a baby on New Year’s, that’s what everyone thinks of on New Year’s,” practice owner Crystal Ogle said.