Chatham-Kent's newest resident is a boy.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance's first baby of 2022 came into the world around 9 a.m. Saturday.
Baby Grayson Lucas is the child of first-time mom Kaitlyn Bowen.
Bowen's grandmother Karen Heathcote was in the delivery room when Grayson was born, she was also there when Kaitlyn herself was born.
"I [was] there for every single one of my grandchildren and I raised them all too. So it's really a wonderful feeling to be able to be there for the birth of our great-grandson," said Heathcote.
Heathcote said her great-grandson wasn't supposed to be a New Year's baby. His original due date was January 10, 2022.
"They were just going to be doing tests," said Heathcote. "They were concerned about some of the fetal heart stuff and they felt that they would have to do an emergency C-section."
The C-section was scheduled for 8 a.m. on New Year's day, but he was delivered at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Heathcote said that Grayson was named as a tribute to his uncle, who suddenly passed away this year.
"She named him after her brother," said Heathcote. "She had, probably one of the most stressful pregnancies anyone could ever, ever hope to have. So this has been just such a wonderful boost, to give her hope. The first baby of the year, that's an honour. I think it's a good omen."
Grayson and his mother are still in the hospital but should be heading home very soon.
