LIHUE — Arahbella Veronica Kiyomi Abigania-Kobayashi, born at 12:48 Christmas morning, missed being the New Year’s baby by an entire week. “My due date was Dec. 28, so we were hoping for the New Year’s baby,” said Mary Jane Abigania,
LIHUE — Arahbella Veronica Kiyomi Abigania-Kobayashi, born at 12:48 Christmas morning, missed being the New Year’s baby by an entire week.
“My due date was Dec. 28, so we were hoping for the New Year’s baby,” said Mary Jane Abigania, Arahbella’s mother. “It could have gone either way, but we’re glad she’s here.”
Miles Kobayashi, Arahbella’s father, was thrilled to learn she was Kauai’s first Christmas baby.
“We heard there was a Christmas child born at the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, too,” Miles said. “But MJ gave birth 10 minutes earlier.”
Arahbella tipped the scales at 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and measured 19.5 inches long. She joins a crew of three boys in the household.
“Miles has two boys and I have one, so this is real Brady Bunch, Kauai style,” Mary Jane said. “Arahbella is the first for Miles and myself. The boys are all about the same age and get along fine. Now, they have a little sister to care for.”
Jeremy Allen, 14, said they are all “first-timers” in terms of taking care of a baby sister.
“I knew it was going to be a girl,” said Sean Kobayashi, 13. “I could feel it.”
Mary Jane is a nurse at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. She said she had already picked out a room and when they arrived, she told the nurses to wheel her to her room.
“It was a different experience, having my child delivered by my colleagues,” Mary Jane said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
