Two babies born to families from Gambell marked the passing of the old year and the beginning of the new, arriving just hours apart at Norton Sound Regional Hospital in Nome.
The first, a baby boy named Owen Lynden Elton Seppilu, was born at 3:16 p.m. on Dec. 31. His mother, Wendy Kava Seppilu, had planned to travel to Nome earlier in the month to await delivery, but weather delays kept her home until she went into labor and was flown to the hospital on Dec. 30. Owen weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 21.5 inches. Family members bestowed him with two traditional St. Lawrence Island Yupik names, honoring relatives and family ties.
Just down the hall, a baby girl arrived shortly after the new year began. Octavia Norlina Kogassagoon was born at 12:23 a.m. on Jan. 1 to Dionna Kogassagoon and her partner, Danny Aningayou. Kogassagoon, who was past her due date and celebrating her own birthday on New Year’s Eve, welcomed her daughter minutes after midnight. Octavia weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 21 inches. Her aunt gave her a traditional name reflecting the family surname.
Both families traveled to Nome in advance of their deliveries, which is common for many expectant parents in the region, as there are no maternity services in the villages.
