PORT TOWNSEND — The North Olympic Peninsula’s first baby of 2009 is McKenna Nicole Johnson of Port Townsend.
The 7-pound, 4-ounce baby girl was born at 5:06 a.m. New Year’s Day at Jefferson Healthcare hospital to Rachel Meirose, 22, and Kyle Johnson, 21, both of Port Townsend.
It was the second consecutive year that Jefferson Healthcare delivered the first baby at a Peninsula hospital.
“I didn’t even know this was a big deal,” Meirose said.
“I’m just happy that she is healthy.”
Nurses at Jefferson Healthcare thought it was big deal.
On Friday, Kelly Traenkenschuh, a nurse in the birth unit, called the Forks Community Hospital and the Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles to see if either had an earlier arrival.
“We scored one at 5:06 a.m.,” she told a nursing supervisor in Forks.
After a moment she turned, smiled and threw her arm into the air.
“That’s the second year in a row,” she said.
“I don’t know if it’s considered lucky, but it should be. Work is work, but these are fun moments.”
Other firsts elsewhere
Joshua Scott Hammontree of Neah Bay was the second baby born in a Peninsula hospital this year.
The 8-pound baby was delivered at 1:21 p.m. on New Year’s Day at Forks Community Hospital. His parents are Josh and Xiomara Hammontree of Neah Bay.
Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles waited until Friday to see its first baby of the new year.
James Edward McMahan Jr. was born at 4:25 p.m. Friday to Staychia Charles and James McMahan of Port Angeles. He weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces.
Healthy baby
The Johnson family said they just wanted a healthy baby for the new year.
“I hope that she is happy, and she sleeps good,” Kyle Johnson said.
McKenna is the second child born to Meirose and Johnson.
Two-year-old Kylee Johnson sat on the bed in the hospital and gently touched the head of her new baby sister.
“Why is she sleeping so much?” she asked her mother. “She wants to play.”
“She’s excited to have a new sister,” Kyle Johnson said.
Last baby of 2008
In the next room over was another 7 pound, 4 ounce, 19-inch baby girl.
At 9:01 a.m. Dec. 30, Gracie Rae Smith was the last baby born in Jefferson County in 2008.
“I was really wanting the first baby of the new year,” said mother Summer McCauley.
“But I will take the last baby; that’s just as special.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
