The stork may have missed his Christmas Day appointment, but he made up for it with a special delivery on New Year’s Day.

Due on Dec. 25, William James Brunton was instead the first baby of 2009 born at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge.

William was born at 1:36 a.m. on Jan. 1, to proud parents Natasha Donaldson and Chris Brunton of Bracebridge.

At 8 pounds 3 ounces, William is a healthy baby brother to sisters Brandy, 5, and Hailey, 3.

Donaldson said there was no plan to have the New Year’s baby, but after missing her due date, she was ready to have William as soon as possible.

Helping to make things a little more comfortable was the fact that Donaldson works at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.

“They’ve been taking really good care of me,” she said. “Dr. (Joe) Gleeson, all the nurses, everyone at the hospital has been really great.”

Dr. Gleeson is also the same doctor who helped deliver Brandy, said Donaldson.

In an interesting twist, William now shares a birthday with his cousin, who was born Jan. 1, 2008.

Donaldson said it’s been an exciting few weeks at their Bracebridge home, and Brandy and Hailey have been gearing up for a new little brother.

“Hailey wanted to hold him after she saw the ultrasound. I said ‘hold on honey, we need to have the baby first,’” said Donaldson. “It’s been a long wait for a sibling, but it’s worth it.”