By Spencer Sterritt

P.A. welcomes first 2017 baby

Jan 1, 2017 | 2:55 PM

It’s a boy!

Emmett Ismael Avila is Prince Albert’s first baby born in 2017. He was delivered at Victoria Hospital at 4:09 a.m., weighing six lbs. and six oz.

His arrival was a surprise for his parents Rhonda and Arnold Avila. They’d expected Emmett more towards the end of January.

“I went to bed (on New Year’s Eve) and I woke up and felt a pop,” Rhonda said. “Then I started having contractions and they were very close, like 10 minutes apart. He was born so suddenly, it was scary.”

She said if they’d waited 15 more minutes to drive to the hospital she likely would have given birth to Emmett in their car.

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Arnold said they’d joked Emmett would be the New Year’s baby, but once the contractions started coming quicker and the labour was underway, all thoughts of his son being the first P.A. baby of 2017 flew right out of his head.

Both parents said they’re thrilled to add Emmett to their family. He joins five other siblings, who Avila said are very excited to meet their new brother.

Due to his early birth, Emmett is currently using breathing tubes, but Rhonda said they expect he’ll be breathing on his own in a few days.

ssterritt@panow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit