Welcome to the world, Titan Kasius Swenning Norman.

The 7-pound, 13.7-ounce, 21.5-inch son of Nikalai Norman of Port Graham and Barbara Swenning of Nanwalek was born at South Peninsula Hospital at 6:13 a.m. New Year’s Day.

Titan’s first name was chosen by his father. Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines “titan” as “any person or thing of great size or power.”

While that may be true, a few hours after Titan’s birth, he was quietly sleeping, wrapped in a blanket and snuggled in his mother’s arms. 

Titan’s expected arrival date was Jan. 10. In order to be close to medical care at the hospital, Norman and Swenning had settled into a temporary home-away-from-home at Beluga Lake Lodge on Dec. 20. 

On Dec. 31, they realized their son was preparing for an early appearance. They checked into South Peninsula Hospital between 10-11 p.m. and a little more than seven hours later Titan became the first baby born at the hospital in 2013.

Although not present for his birth, Titan’s grandparents, Emilie and Paul Swenning and Gordon and Becky Norman, were on the phone to the hospital at the time of his arrival. In addition to his grandparents, Titan is welcomed by aunts, uncles and “lots of cousins,” his parents said.

Titan and his parents expected to leave the hospital and return to Beluga Lake Lodge on Wednesday. They’ll proceed to Nanwalek once the weather clears.

As in past years, area residents and businesses put together a treasure trove of gifts to welcome the year’s first baby.

“Actually, the Homer community came together quite nicely to share their prosperity with the newborn baby,” said Art Baux, the hospital’s OB coordinator.

Among the gifts the family received were: a fleece baby blanket from Bay Realty; diapers from the Pregnancy Care Center; booties from Homer Saw and Cycle; hand knit winter hats from Kachemak Bay Family Planning Center; a book from Homer Homemakers Association; a $50 gift card from Spenard Builders Supply; a handmade glass dish from Morning Star Studio; four 6-inch sub cards from Kenai Subway Stores; a $25 gift card from Old Inlet Bookshop and Mermaid Café; lunch for the parents from Homer Senior Citizens Inc.; a $100 check from East Road Services; a $50 gift card from Cosmic Kitchen; a $50 gift certificate from Baycrest Fuel and C Store, LLC; a hand knit blanket from Helen Jackson; a hand knit baby hat from Mary Wallis; one-year free lending library and playgroups and gift bundle from Sprout Family Services; a $20 gift certificate from the Homer Bookstore; a gift certificate from Timeless Toys; a bib and commemorative spoon from South Peninsula Hospital; and a gift basket and diapers from South Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary.