CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A snowy drive to the hospital Tuesday morning turned into a “whirlwind day” for a Charlottetown couple who are the proud parents of P.E.I.’s first baby born in 2019.
Oskar David Otto Mueller was born at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown at 3:15 p.m.
“It was the most overwhelming, happy feeling. It’s really hard to put into words,” said Oskar’s mother Stephanie Mueller on Wednesday.
Stephanie and her husband Markus arrived at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. before much of the messy New Year’s Day weather hit.
Stephanie’s mother drove them to the hospital. Markus said there was about two or three centimetres of snow down and the roads were slippery, but generally clear of other drivers at that time.
In the delivery room, the day took an unexpected and scary turn as complications arose. Stephanie had been pushing for about an hour when she was rushed to the operating room to have an emergency caesarean section.
“He had his cord wrapped around his neck, and he was just too big,” she said. “We’re all good now, and that’s all that matters.”
“We were joking, saying he’s probably going to wait until 2019. And sure enough, he waited until New Year’s Day.”
-Stephanie Mueller
Oskar is nine pounds, seven ounces and 21 inches tall.
“It’s amazing. It’s awesome to see him. We have a two-and-a-half-year-old (Maia) at home and you forget how small they are and how helpless they are and how they depend on you for everything,” said Markus.
Maia has already grown fond her new little brother.
“It’s nice to see that she’s getting along well with him,” said Markus.
Stephanie explained Oskar’s name and spelling is in keeping with Markus’ German background.
“A classic name that we liked and don’t hear too often,” she said.
Oskar’s middle name, Otto, is the middle name of Markus’ grandfather, while his other middle name, David, is the name of Stephanie’s late uncle.
Stephanie noted that Oskar was originally due on Dec. 29.
“We were joking, saying he’s probably going to wait until 2019. And sure enough, he waited until New Year’s Day,” said Stephanie.
Stephanie’s mother predicted that the couple would probably have the first baby of the New Year.
“I’m like ‘no way,’ but we did. And it’s fun,” said Stephanie.
