Newborns keep their parents on the go.
Richard, left, Rachel and Mellisa Sinclair present the newest member of their family, a girl born at 2:11 a.m. Friday weighing in at 6 lbs. 13 oz. The yet to be named baby girl was born in the car on the way to the Humber River Regional Hospital-Church site. (Jan. 1, 2010)
Photo/WILLIAM MEIJER
Kids these days, they're in such a hurry.Two local babies who made their entrances into the world in the wee hours of New Year's Day put their parents through their paces trying to keep up with their new offspring.Toronto's most celebrated New Year's baby belongs to Richard and Mellisa Sinclair, who was born in the family car on the way to Humber River Regional Hospital's Church Street site.The York couple, who live near St. Clair Avenue and Scarlett Road, had gone to the hospital just a couple of hours earlier but were told Mellisa wasn't ready to deliver.But about 2 a.m., it became evident baby was on the way.Richard, who had had a dream a couple of weeks earlier that the baby would be born in the bathtub, was anxious to get his wife to the hospital in time."I said, 'You have to get out. You're not having this baby in the tub,'" he joked.However, just after pulling out of the driveway, Mellisa told him the baby was coming right then and there.Richard called 911 and delivered the baby himself, using his shoelace to tie the umbilical cord. Richard, known as a "loafer guy," said it was a miracle he was wearing shoes with laces.While the birth was eventful, Richard said he and his wife also took it in stride."She (Mellisa) has always been a go, go, go kind of person. She is a multitasker. Go for a drive and have a baby," he joked."I'll be frank with you, my mom always raised us (that) when a moment happens, step up."The baby, whom Richard describes as both alert and calm, still hasn't been formally named.Although there has been speculation she will be called Scarlett, because she was born within metres of Scarlett Road, Richard said that may be her middle name."My wife doesn't think children should be named after streets. I agree with that fully. It (her birth) is a highlight but it shouldn't define her entire life. There is more in life to look forward to," he said.Richard and Mellisa will announce their daughter's name at a family gathering this weekend. But Richard dropped a couple of hints. Their four-year-old daughter Maya was born May 1 and her parents used the month as the basis of her name. Now, their second daughter has been born on Jan. 1 so the month will again provide inspiration.Also, the baby's name will reflect the fact her parents see her as a blessing from God, Richard said.Manuel Francis Gamalinda was North York General Hospital's first baby of 2010, arriving at 2:34 a.m. and weighing in at four pounds, 14 ounces. But his parents, Rachel and Manuel Gamalinda, feared he was going to be born in their car on their way to the hospital. Little Manuel, who was due Jan. 12, started showing signs he was going to make an early appearance while his parents celebrated New Year's Eve at a relative's home in Milton.They rushed back to their home near Leslie Street and Eglinton Avenue to collect a bag for mom and baby and then raced to the hospital."I was walking around and making jokes, I said, 'I wasn't going to come in but the contractions are five minutes apart so I decided to come in.' The nurses said 'You're our hero'," Rachel said."I did the actual birth unmedicated, no epidural so when he came out, he was alert. He could do breast-feeding right away. That was my plan, everything unmedicated, natural, so I'm happy. I had a very good experience with North York hospital. The nurses are very professional."Rachel, a pharmacy technician who on Dec. 31 worked her last day before starting maternity leave, said she had been joking with her customers about the baby's arrival."All of my customers were saying 'When are you due?' I said 'Any time' but I didn't expect it that night," Rachel laughed.Manuel, the fourth generation to carry the name, is the first child for Rachel and Manuel, who runs the heater department at an engineering company."We waited eight years for a baby. It is a special baby," Rachel said."I'm healthy and the baby is healthy."