Couples celebrate first baby of the year, last baby of the decade in Washtenaw County hospitals
Michael and Lisa Baiz of Fenton are shown in their C.S. Mott Women's and Children's Hospital room with newborn daughter Samantha, the first baby of the New Year born in Washtenaw County.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
When Lisa Baiz visited her doctor at the University of Michigan's Briarwood Family Medical Center Thursday afternoon, she and her husband Michael had no idea she'd be giving birth to Washtenaw County's first baby of 2010 later that night.
Samantha Ellen Baiz was born at the U-M hospital 21 minutes past midnight to earn the distinction. The 7 pound, 12 ounce bundle of joy is the fourth child for the couple - and this one was a surprise.
"We planned on having three children," said Michael, 31, "so we were kind of shocked when we found out we were going to have a fourth."
While visiting her doctor Thursday, Lisa, 30, was told to go to the hospital when they discovered her blood pressure was high. But Michael was still at work in Flint when the decision was made.
"I didn't think she would deliver for another week since our other three kids were all a week late," said Michael, who left work and rushed home to grab a baby bag before heading to the hospital.
Because of Lisa's high blood pressure, the doctors at U-M induced labor at 3:30 p.m. Still, the thought of possibly having the first baby of the new year never entered her mind.
"I don't think I even knew what was going on," Lisa said. "Honestly, I thought (because of the labor induction) that it would be earlier ...
"I was kind of hoping for the tax deduction," she joked. "But that's OK, the hospital gave us a gift bag, and she'll get to be in the paper too, so we'll have that as a keepsake."
The youngster is scheduled to go home with mom and dad Saturday to join her three older siblings - Olivia, 8, Autumn, 5, and Drew, 2.
Scott and Kristen McKee of Canton are shown in their St. Joseph Mercy Hospital room with their newborn son Lukas, the last baby of the decade born in Washtenaw County.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Meanwhile, across town at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Lukas James McKee - all 8 pounds, 10 ounces of him - earned his 26-year-old first-time parents, Scott and Kristen McKee of Canton, a tax break. He arrived into the world eight minutes before midnight - and 29 minutes ahead of little Samantha.
Lukas was too soon to be the first baby of 2010, but just in time to be the last baby born in Washtenaw County in not only 2009, but also the decade.
"Everybody was making such a big deal about the New Year baby," Kristen said. "I guess I didn't care."
"We had no idea it was that close," Scott added. "I don't think we even looked at the clock, but the nurses were all excited about it."
Kristen said that although the nurses were hoping for the first New Year's baby, she was hoping for the tax exemption.
The last baby of the year was gifted with a tax-exemption onesie.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
"When it got to be 11:30, I didn't think we'd make it (before midnight) ... my sister Nicole kept telling me I better hurry up," she said.
When Lukas came arrived at 11:52 p.m., the nurses, doctors, and the McKee family suddenly found themselves celebrating the New Year together in Kristen's delivery room.
As luck would have it, the McKee family got a visit from Genia Richards, a field marketing manager from H&R Block this afternoon. She presented them with a bag full of goodies congratulating them on their good fortune.
Ironically, Lukas and Samantha were both due on Dec. 31.
Lon Horwedel is a photographer/videographer for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
PTFD314
Sat, Jan 2, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
Congrats to Scott, Kristen, and little Lukas James McKee. I can't wait for you guys to come back and visit us in Florida. God Bless
A E
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 11:51 p.m.
A nice, heartwarming story about two wonderful blessings... no matter what year or decade they happened to be born in. Congratulations to the families, nice story and pics Lon.
Paul the Malcontent
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 11:29 p.m.
Strike "would not ethat" above.
Paul the Malcontent
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 11:26 p.m.
Also would not ethat it isn't 'ironic' that the 2 babies were both due on December 31; perhaps 'coincidental' could be used, although I'd say it's quite normal for 2 babies that were born within 1/2 hour of one another close to midnight on January 1 to also have the same due date. As to the 'decade' question, any ten-year period may properly be called a decade (e.g., January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2014). However, the lack of a Year Zero must be accounted for when referring to ordinally number time periods. So, while today marks the transition from the twenty-aught decade to the twenty-teens, the 202nd decade A.D. will not start until January 1, 2011 (just as the 3rd millenium did not begin until January 1, 2001, despite the Y2K hype).
YpsiLivin
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 11:06 p.m.
The next decade will begin on January 1, 2011.
treetowncartel
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 10:47 p.m.
* minutes is the difference between $3,000. Gotta love this country.
A2WestSide
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 10:45 p.m.
Millenium, century, and decade started 1 Jan 2001. Decade ends 31 Dec 2010. Lack of "Year 0"...
BroncoJoe
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.
Agree with A2WestSide - The first year on the calendar is 1 A.D., not 0. So the last year of the first decade was 10 A.D. The last year of this decade is 2010. Then again, maybe their just prepping for next year.
A2WestSide
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 10:26 p.m.
This decade ends 31 Dec 2010.
choc-lover
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 10 p.m.
Another typo. It should have read Lucas and Samantha.
Indicat
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 9:57 p.m.
The first baby born is Samantha, not Stephanie.
Dot
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.
Did I miss something? Who is Stephanie? "Ironically, Lukas and Stephanie were both due on Dec. 31." Re-read the story, but didn't get the Stephanie connection? Help me out folks.
Bonsai
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.
Too bad the "new age of journalism" can't dispense with the tired, cliched stories that newspapers relied on during the holidays.
MjC
Fri, Jan 1, 2010 : 6:33 p.m.
How cool would it be if Lukas and Samantha meet at a New Year's Eve Party in 2030, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Ok, maybe not - either way a toast that they both live long and prosper. Congrats!