Meet Davidson’s New Year’s baby of 2016

Levi Kevin Reich, born Jan. 1, 2016 at 11:35 p.m., is Davidson's New Year's baby.
Levi Kevin Reich, born Jan. 1, 2016 at 11:35 p.m., is Davidson’s New Year’s baby.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Levi Kevin Reich might have seemed like a long shot for Davidson’s New Year’s baby.

“We joked about having him as a New Year’s baby, but we didn’t think that would happen,” recalled his mother, Heather Puckett.

Levi wasn’t due until Feb. 11, but as it turns out, the joke was on his mom and dad.

Puckett went into labour around 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day, and five hours later, she delivered a healthy baby boy at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

She was only 34 weeks into her pregnancy, so Levi’s early arrival came as a surprise to both her and his father, Trevor Reich.

As of last week, mother and child were doing well, although Levi was expected to stay a few extra days in the hospital’s neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU).

“They just want him to grow a little more,” explained Puckett. “They haven’t given us a definite date yet. It could be by the weekend, I’m not sure though.”

Levi arrived at 11:35 p.m., weighing 5 lbs., 14 oz., and measuring 20.5 inches. Despite the surprise, his mother reported a smooth delivery.

The child’s arrival marked a happy start to 2016 for his parents, grandparents and many extended family members in Davidson and area.

Levi’s grandparents are Fran and Tom Vanghel of Davidson, Stan Schneider of Bladworth, and Kevin and Lorraine Reich of Saskatoon.

His great-grandparents are Val Thurlow of Kenaston and Norbert and Elaine Reich of Davidson.

Levi has two older siblings: Carter, 5, and Jayla, 4. His father Trevor works at Legend Autobody and Paint in Davidson, while Heather is a stay-at-home mother. The family resides in the former Zeleny home on Government Road.

Levi joins an exclusive club of past Davidson’s New Year’s babies that includes Brad McLaren, Carl Johnson and David Beckie.