MONROE - It was a swift New Year for staff members at Monroe Clinic as they welcomed a first boy and first girl of 2018 early last week.
Two Illinois families received special attention with the first boy and girl of the year born in the obstetrics department at Monroe Clinic. They were each given special teddy bears and a small toy to commemorate the occasion.
First baby boy Patrick James Gouge was welcomed into the world by his parents, Kassidy Boatwright and Isaac Gouge of Freeport. The 8-pound, 7-ounce baby measured 21 inches long and came happy and healthy. He's spending a lot of time sleeping now that he's home. He's named for Boatwright's late grandmother, Patricia.
Boatwright said they enjoyed their experience at Monroe Clinic, choosing a hospital close to where she was attending school in Monroe and her husband's work in Brodhead. She had been in the hospital since the Friday before, being monitored because of high blood pressure. She said once she began active labor at 5 p.m. Jan. 1, they thought maybe they would have a New Year's baby on their hands.
"I only pushed for 20 minutes," Boatwright said. She was due to have him on New Year's Eve.
Baby Patrick is also welcomed by grandparents Rachel and Jeff Boatwright and Dora Smith, all of Freeport. Right now, he's enjoying life after the warm welcome.
"He's a good baby," Kassidy Boatwright said. "He only cries when we change his butt."
The first baby girl of the New Year was also welcomed warmly. Marielle Ann Rude made her grand entrance just a little after midnight Jan. 2. She was a few days early but came happy and healthy into the arms of her parents, Chenin and Joe Rude, Davis, Illinois.
She bustled in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 inches long.
Marielle was also welcomed by a big brother, Elliot, 21/2, who is doing well with the transition from being an only child.
"He's done really well," Chenin said. "We were a little nervous he would be jealous, but he's so happy to be a big brother."
Chenin said her doctor at Monroe Clinic guessed when the baby would be born at her appointment last week, and was spot on. Marielle was delivered by longtime Monroe Clinic obstetrician Dr. John Bazley, and Chenin said all of the doctors and nurses were wonderful.
"We had a great stay at the Monroe Clinic," she said.
Chenin is an oncology nurse at OSF Saint Anthony in Rockford, Illinois. The couple has lived in Davis at Lake Summerset since 2013.
Marielle was also welcomed by grandparents Mark Congrave and Judy Jasper, both of Rockford; and Susan Lapierre, St. Charles, Illinois; along with a paternal grandmother, Barbara Rude, Davis.
"She's doing what babies do best," Chenin said of the heavy sleeping and eating happening. "We're excited to share her with the world."
Two Illinois families received special attention with the first boy and girl of the year born in the obstetrics department at Monroe Clinic. They were each given special teddy bears and a small toy to commemorate the occasion.
First baby boy Patrick James Gouge was welcomed into the world by his parents, Kassidy Boatwright and Isaac Gouge of Freeport. The 8-pound, 7-ounce baby measured 21 inches long and came happy and healthy. He's spending a lot of time sleeping now that he's home. He's named for Boatwright's late grandmother, Patricia.
Boatwright said they enjoyed their experience at Monroe Clinic, choosing a hospital close to where she was attending school in Monroe and her husband's work in Brodhead. She had been in the hospital since the Friday before, being monitored because of high blood pressure. She said once she began active labor at 5 p.m. Jan. 1, they thought maybe they would have a New Year's baby on their hands.
"I only pushed for 20 minutes," Boatwright said. She was due to have him on New Year's Eve.
Baby Patrick is also welcomed by grandparents Rachel and Jeff Boatwright and Dora Smith, all of Freeport. Right now, he's enjoying life after the warm welcome.
"He's a good baby," Kassidy Boatwright said. "He only cries when we change his butt."
The first baby girl of the New Year was also welcomed warmly. Marielle Ann Rude made her grand entrance just a little after midnight Jan. 2. She was a few days early but came happy and healthy into the arms of her parents, Chenin and Joe Rude, Davis, Illinois.
She bustled in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 inches long.
Marielle was also welcomed by a big brother, Elliot, 21/2, who is doing well with the transition from being an only child.
"He's done really well," Chenin said. "We were a little nervous he would be jealous, but he's so happy to be a big brother."
Chenin said her doctor at Monroe Clinic guessed when the baby would be born at her appointment last week, and was spot on. Marielle was delivered by longtime Monroe Clinic obstetrician Dr. John Bazley, and Chenin said all of the doctors and nurses were wonderful.
"We had a great stay at the Monroe Clinic," she said.
Chenin is an oncology nurse at OSF Saint Anthony in Rockford, Illinois. The couple has lived in Davis at Lake Summerset since 2013.
Marielle was also welcomed by grandparents Mark Congrave and Judy Jasper, both of Rockford; and Susan Lapierre, St. Charles, Illinois; along with a paternal grandmother, Barbara Rude, Davis.
"She's doing what babies do best," Chenin said of the heavy sleeping and eating happening. "We're excited to share her with the world."