Jefferson County awaits New Year?s baby

With Christmas Day now a memory and 2011 quickly winding down, the wait for the 2012 Jefferson County New Year?s baby is under way.

Originally, the New Year?s baby title went to the first baby born at Jefferson County Hospital each year, but since the facility?s obstetrics department closed several years ago, the title now goes to the first infant born to a Jefferson County mother.

The baby can be born in any hospital in any town, but the mother must live in Jefferson County, and The Fairfield Ledger must be contacted at 472-2116 within 24 hours after the birth. An answering machine is available if the office is closed.

The parents are given a letter authorizing them to pick up gifts donated by participating Fairfield businesses.

Gifts include gift certificates, savings bonds, a handmade quilt, books, a Ledger subscription and more.

Jefferson County?s 2011 New Year?s baby made her appearance right on New Year?s Day. June Irene Lebert, the daughter of Meagan and Christopher Lebert of Fairfield, was born at 4:12 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Ottumwa Regional Health Center in Ottumwa. The 6-pound, 8-ounce, 19.75-inch baby has the middle names of both her grandmothers.

The 2010 New Year?s baby was Abbigail Elizabeth Beggs, the daughter of Melissa Beggs of Fairfield and Thomas Batterson. The 9-pounds, 14-ounces baby was born at 12:14 p.m. Jan. 13 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center in Ottumwa.

The 2009 New Year?s baby was Addisyn Ann Koontz, the daughter of Stacia Verrips and Shane Koontz of Libertyville. She was born at 1:15 a.m. Jan. 4 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center and weighed 7 pounds, 10.5 ounces.

The 2008 New Year?s baby was Serenity Maurine Pisano, the daughter of Brenda and Jim Pisano of Pleasant Plain. The 6- pounds, 15-ounce, baby was born at 4:23 p.m. Jan. 9 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

In 2007, the New Year?s baby was Anthony Joseph Smithburg, the 9-pound, 9-ounce son of Megan and Erik Smithburg of Libertyville, born by cesarean section at 11:51 a.m. Jan. 4 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.