The first baby born on Whidbey Island in 2022 may not have made an appearance until a few days into the month, but he was early according to his due date.

Destiny and Tyler Bingham of Oak Harbor welcomed their son Ezra DeShawn Bingham into the world at 2:54 p.m. on Jan. 3 at the WhidbeyHealth Family Birthplace.

Ezra, at 6 pounds, 10.5 ounces and 19.5 inches long, is the couple’s second child. He was born nine days before his due date and his early arrival startled his mother.

During her first pregnancy, her water never broke. It happened this time around 6 a.m.

“With this one, I was dead asleep and my water broke and it surprised me so much,” Destiny said. “It cracked me up because I was not expecting what happened.”

The delivery process went as smoothly as could be expected.

“It was my second child, so I kind of went in knowing a little bit,” she said.

The Binghams were astonished to learn that they claimed the honor of having the first baby born on Whidbey in the new year. The hospital put together a little gift basket with diapers and clothes for the couple in celebration of their new bundle of joy.

“He’s just so curious and he’s calm and he’s got these big eyes and he likes to look around at everything,” Destiny said.

Destiny said she thought it was “pretty neat” that both of her sons ended up being nearly identical in weight and length. Their older son, Ezekiel, is excited about being a big brother.

Tyler said he was happy to have two healthy boys, given that there can be some scary situations when it comes to pregnancies.

“It was great,” he said. “Both births have been extremely smooth, especially through WhidbeyHealth. We’re definitely lucky to have had both our boys there.”

Photos provided Ezra DeShawn Bingham, born 2:54 p.m. on Jan. 3, is Whidbey Island’s first baby to be born in 2022.