By Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Destinee Trentalance and her husband John Ulutoa are the proud parents of baby boy Zimri, which is translated into “my music my praise” in their religion, said Trentalance.
Zimri was the South Okanagan’s first baby born in 2025 as he entered the world just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 1 2025.
“The name we picked comes from the term my music, my praise and as Christians, we just are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ,” she said. “We had his name picked out a long time ago. It was like he (Jesus) picked out the name for us and he loves music and so do we.”
Little Zimri came into the world at Penticton Regional Hospital at 3:52 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
Destinee and John didn’t plan a Caesarian section birth, but that’s what was needed and they are just thrilled their first-born son is happy and healthy.”
“Everything went very well considering we didn’t plan the Caesarian, but he’s healthy and that’s all that matters,” she said.
Destinee was almost two weeks past her due date, so she and her husband are just happy the baby was born without complications.
Zimri is a healthy eight pounds and 15 ounces and is already sleeping plenty and possesses a healthy appetite, she said.
Ulutoa is originally from the Polynesian island country of Samoa, but has been living in Canada for many years and is already counting down the days when he can teach his son how to play rugby, the national sport of his island country.
He and his wife are thrilled to be parents for the first time and hope to have more children in the near future.
“We gotta make a rugby team,” he said with a laugh. “We’re very excited to be parents.”
Ulutoa has been playing rugby in Penticton for several years and he’s already looking forward to teaching his son the basics of the game soon after he starts walking and running.
“Hopefully one day he’ll be able to play rugby for Team Canada,” he said.
The happy parents have called Oliver home for several years and plan on raising their family there moving forward.
Destinee said she wanted to “give a shut out” to the team of midwives who helped her and her family during the pregnancy with the Willow Community Midwives organization.
Destinee’s sister Venetia was thrilled to be an aunt for the first time and was smiling proudly looking at her nephew.
This article first appeared in the Penticton Herald.
