New Year brings new surprises for Beal family

Amherst, N.S. - Amanda and Dave Beal got two surprises this holiday season when Amanda gave birth to their second child on New Year's Day.
"We weren't planning on having a New Year's baby - my due date was actually December 22," said Amanda from her hospital room on Wednesday.
Amanda gave birth to Hannah Marie at 3:48 a.m. January 1, to Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre's first New Year's baby.
But the delivery date wasn't the only surprise for the family, which also includes a seven-year-old son. Amanda and Dave hadn't been planning for a daughter - they were planning on a second son.
"It's been pretty exciting but a little bit of a shock," Amanda said, adding that many people around her said she was carrying as if it were a boy.
The Beals traveled from Sackville, New Brunswick, for the birth, arriving in the winter storm that arrived New Year's Eve.
"I was having pretty steady contractions and they were getting stronger. It wasn't the best drive, but we took our time."
With the third storm in five days hitting the region on Wednesday, Amanda and Hannah's visitors had died down quite a bit from the day before. Hannah's big brother was very excited about the arrival, but he was "upset he couldn't be here today."
Once things got started, Amanda says the natural delivery went pretty quickly. Hannah Marie was born a healthy baby at seven pounds, seven ounces.
"She's been a very good baby so far," added Amanda. "She's pretty quiet and content."