Daniel and Rose Jordan with three year old Ruby and baby Freddie.
Rose and Daniel Jordan returned home on January 30 from a quiet Christmas getaway to Jervis Bay with daughter Ruby totally unaware their family dynamic would change earlier than expected.
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While Rose was not due to give birth until later in the month, their son Freddie had other plans.
“The pregnancy had been wonderful and baby wasn’t due until January 17, but I had a feeling that he would not wait that long,” Rose said.
With the due date still a few weeks away, Daniel Jordan went back to work as a pilot.
He went to Ballarat on January 3, where he would be conducting routine maintenance on planes for Field Air.
“I had a feeling when I was leaving that it (Rose going into labour) could happen,” he said.
“Rose rang me in the afternoon saying she wasn’t sure but she thought she may be in early labour.
“To my surprise, my bosses had the plane fuelled up, keys in it and I raced home at 170 knots - as fast as the plane would go - and I arrived home 45 minutes later,” he said with an accomplished chuckle.
Freddie Daniel Jordan was born at 8.46am on Wednesday.
His early arrival made him the first baby born at Deniliquin Hospital for the new year - much to the surprise of his doting parents.
"It caught us by surprise, but being the first baby born in the New Year makes him extra special,“ Rose said.
Freddie’s name is in honour of both Daniel and Rose’s grandparents - Freddie Stevens and Freddie Jordan.
Rose’s active labour began about 4am Wednesday, and he was born almost five hours later weighing 3.5kg and 49cm long.
Freddie’s sister, three year-old Ruby, was very excited to welcome a bother.
"She was so ready to be a big sister,“ Rose said.
“She has already asked if she can change his nappy and do other duties.”
Grandparents Russell and Judy Jordan and Dr Marion Magee are also excited by the new arrival, as are great grandparents Bob and Anita Buchanan.
There are also aunties and uncles to spoil the new arrival.
“Our siblings have been in to meet little Freddie, and most of our family are local so we look forward to a catch up once we get settled (at home).”
As the first baby born in the New Year, the family will receive the traditional collection of gifts from Gail McLean.
Gail started the tradition more than three decades ago when she herself had a first baby of the new year, and was underwhelmed at the ceremony around it.
Freddie is the 35th baby to receive the gift.
Even with his early arrival, there was never any guarantee Freddie would be the first baby of the new year.
When the Pastoral Times enquired at the hospital on Monday, we were advised that at least seven mothers were due to go into labour in coming days.
Midwife Amelia Saunders said the maternity staff have been rushed off their feet.
“It was a quiet lead up to Christmas and then the baby traffic went wild,” she said.
“We delivered two babies Wednesday, and another one arrived at 12.01am Thursday morning.”
Freddie Daniel Jordan taking a well earned nap after his entry into the world.
