It didn’t take long for little Bryan Labelle to start raking in the loot for being Windsor and Essex County’s first baby of 2013.
And though he doesn’t know it yet, he probably owns the largest stuffed monkey in the area.
“It’s huge,” said Bryan’s mom Robby Fransen, 22, who gave birth to the healthy eight pound, one ounce baby boy by caesarean section at 12:29 a.m. at the Metropolitan Campus of Windsor Regional Hospital.
“It’s actually gigantic. I wasn’t expecting it.”
Windsor Regional Hospital spokesman Ron Foster said the giant 4 1/2-foot tall monkey was donated to the hospital just before Christmas to be used for kids undergoing treatment to play with.
But hospital regulations prohibit stuffed toys from being shared among more than one child, so the massive ape was “regifted” for the first baby of the year.
Bryan also got a white knitted cap with 2013 across the front that was knitted by members of the Rotary Club, among other gifts.
Bryan’s father Kyle Labelle, 22, was taken aback by the response to the couple’s first child.
“It’s great, it’s overwhelming,” said Labelle, who works as a union labourer.
“Lots of great people giving us gifts and stuff.”
The couple, who have been together for four years after becoming high school sweethearts at L’Essor high school, admitted having a baby was not something they had planned.
“It really wasn’t planned, that’s for sure,” said Fransen, who works at Bogar Truck and Trailer Parts on Huron Church Road.
“He was a little love child.”
To which Kyle replied: “He’s planned now.”
Bryan is named after Kyle’s uncle Bryan Scott, who died unexpectedly in 2006.
“He was just one of those guys everyone loved,” said Labelle.
“Nobody got to say goodbye to him.”
Dad hopes Bryan will grow up with his parents’ love of sports and physical activity in general.
Kyle’s first sports garb will bear the logo of dad’s beloved Dallas Cowboys, with the Detroit Red Wings to follow close behind.
Robby’s water broke at around 4 a.m. Monday while the couple were sleeping. She remained dilated at five centimetres for six hours before her doctors decided to perform the caesarean section.
“It actually wasn’t that bad,” said Fransen, who will return home Thursday.
“I couldn’t feel anything from the neck down. That was fine by me.”
Proud grandpa Bob Fransen, 41, hadn’t planned to become a grandpa so young.
“No, not really at all, but I’m really excited,” said Fransen.
As for the as-yet-unnamed monkey, family members do own pickup trucks to get the beast home.
“We’ll have to remodel a little bit,” said Labelle.
Ron Foster, communications representative with the Windsor Regional Hospital, rolls an oversized stuffed monkey Jan.1, 2013, for the first baby of the year. Kyle Labelle and Robby Fransen welcomed newborn son Bryan Labelle at 12.29 a.m. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Newborn Bryan Labelle yawns Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at the Windsor Regional Hospital. Born at 12.29 a.m. he was the first local baby of 2013 born to Kyle Labelle and Robby Fransen. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
Kyle Labelle and Robby Fransen pose with their newborn son Bryan Labelle, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at the Windsor Regional Hospital. Born at 12.29 a.m. he was the first local baby of 2013. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)
