Couple welcomes first baby of the year

—Courtesy photo

SANDPOINT — The newest addition to the Tucker-Helgenberg family is also the newest addition to the Sandpoint community as well.

The 7-pound, 12-ounce little girl is also the first baby of the year in Bonner County.

“We’re just super excited,” said new mom Kelly Tucker.

Tucker said she and proud dad, A.J. Helgenberg, have not named their new daughter, who was born Jan. 2 at 3:01 a.m. at home.

They are trying to find just the perfect name for their daughter, Tucker said.

“We had lots of different names to choose from before she was born and now we have even more,” she added.

She said the couple have spent the past few days just enjoying their daughter and celebrating the family’s new addition.

“We’re just so fascinated by her that we just spend a lot of time just watching her and spending time with her,” said Tucker.

Tucker said she was originally given a due date of Dec. 26, but her daughter’s later-than-anticipated arrival seemed to be destined since it makes the fifth generation of her family to be born in Bonner County.

“Although this is the time first that it’s been the first baby of the year,” she added.

Tucker said the entire family is doing well and enjoying getting to know one another. All sets of grandparents — two in Bonner County and one in Dorset, Vt. — are also all thrilled by the new arrival.

The couple opted to have a home birth with the assistance of Pend Oreille Midwifery Services, Tucker said.

“Having the baby in our own environment seemed like the right thing and the most comfortable thing,” she added.

Helgenberg said he was in awe of his new daughter and couldn’t wait for the adventure of being a part of her life to begin.

“I’m just joyous and blessed,” he said.