Canyen Christopher Haas is nothing if not efficient. After only eight hours of labor (from his mother's first contractions to birth), Haas became one of Alaska's first babies of the new year, at exactly 10 minutes past midnight Jan. 1.
Born weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and 20.5 inches long, with tufts of dark hair, Canyen is like most babies, but his birth has made him a bit of a celebrity at Providence Alaska Medical Center. Cooing and lazily yawning before falling asleep in the arms of his mother, Shana Haas, Canyen seemed unimpressed with his unique birthday distinction Thursday afternoon.
"He knew today was New Year's football day, so he had it planned," said Canyen's father, Chanse Haas.
Haas' mother, Shana, said she noticed the first contractions at about 4 p.m. New Year's Eve. Instead of going to the hospital, the parents decided to go to Bass Pro Shops to wait until the contractions got closer together. After an hour of walking around, the unborn boy had been "hooked up with lots of camo onesies" by his grandmother, according to his father.
Canyen's mother had a different take on the sporting goods pit stop.
"I was kind of in denial, like 'This isn't really happening,'" Shana said.
But much of Canyen's life in Alaska is likely to be spent outside. The family, since moving to Alaska from Florida four years ago, spends a lot of time hiking, camping and fishing.
By 3 a.m. New Year's Day, Canyen had a lot of company. Three babies had already been born after him, and several more mothers were in labor, according to Providence staff.
But for his parents and the staff at Providence, Canyen's birth will stand out.
"It was actually kind of funny," Shana said. "We heard the nurses out there taking bets on whether we would be able to wait until New Year's Day. I remember being like, 'Was that early enough? Did we win? Where are the balloons?'"
"I will never forget his birthday, father Chanse said. "So that's a plus."