The Dowd clan started the new year with good news: the birth of baby Louie! Forward Nic Dowd missed the Capitals’ New Year’s Eve game against the Islanders to be with wife Paige as she went into labor with the couple’s first child.

Paige posted pictures of the happy family on Twitter, announcing that Louie was 5lbs 6oz, and born at 8:18pm on New Year’s Eve.

Louie Dowd | 5 lbs 6 oz | NYE 8:18 p.m | Thanks for surprising us a month early little Lou because we are so lucky for the extra month with you 💙 pic.twitter.com/MD0ro0rTEq

— Paige Dowd (@paigemdowd) January 1, 2020

Baby Lou came a month earlier than expected, as Paige said on Instagram, adding “we are so lucky we get an extra month with you.”

Congratulations to Paige, Nic, and Arlo the golden retriever on the arrival of the newest member of the family: Louie!

Headline photo: @paigemdowd