Now that the Valley Brook Neighborhood in Breckenridge has settled into its role as a locals’ community, it saw a first earlier this month: the birth of its newest resident on-site.

Hanani Thomas McDowell was born June 5 at his home in Valley Brook to parents Langston and Audra McDowell, who moved into their new house last November.

“Just having a home was such a blessing to us,” Audra McDowell said. And now, “he is just perfect … I’m excited for him to grow up in Breckenridge.”

Hanani – who got his name from one of his parents’ favorite passages from the Old Testament – made his appearance to the world a few days after his parents’ sixth wedding anniversary, 15 days early, and only an hour-and-a-half after Audra’s two doulas and midwife were able to arrive.

“I really feel that God was merciful to us to have him come early and have him be so strong and healthy,” Langston McDowell said. “Every time I see him, it doesn’t matter how tired I am, I’m overjoyed. We’re both so joyful.”

The best part about the story is being able to see “a great couple” really establish their Breckenridge roots through the purchase of their home, and then go on to welcome a new addition to their family, said Valley Brook owner’s representative Graeme Bilenduke, who has gotten to know the couple since they moved in.

“They’re just such an awesome couple,” he said. “They’re just so happy and so excited. It just makes doing and being involved in a project like this just that much more special … The whole community’s just so cool.”

Bilenduke is especially excited because he was able to play a small role in Hanani’s welcome to the world – Langston McDowell called him the night of because he needed help fixing a little hot water problem for the birthing pool. Bilenduke helped him figure it out over the phone just in time.

“We’re just so proud of them,” Bilenduke said. “They’re just a great couple, and a great addition.”