Kyra Johnson claims Colfax first baby honor

Kyra Mae Finch Johnson was welcomed to Whitman Hospital and Medical Center as the first baby of the new year.

She is the first baby for Kelsie Johnson, 19, of Colfax. She was born on Jan. 1, 2014, at 7:05 p.m. She weighed in at six pounds, one ounce and was 19 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Carol Larson of Colfax and Nick Johnson of St. John.

Although Johnson said she had a relatively easy pregnancy, Kyra’s birth wasn’t so easy.

Johnson was due Dec. 29, but didn’t go into the hospital until Dec. 31. After hours of labor, Johnson was finally induced because doctors were concerned about the stress on the mother and child. Johnson was in labor for 25 hours. They were in the hospital for three days.

“We were exhausted,” she said.

“It was sure nice to get home,” Johnson said.

She said both of her sisters were with her giving their support.

Kyra’s middle name comes from Johnson’s grandmother, the late Dorothy Mae Mcilrath. Johnson wanted to honor her grandmother by using her middle name even though she never knew her grandmother because she died before Johnson was born.

Kyra has red hair and “she’s definitely a very happy baby,” Johnson said.

Johnson and Kyra received a red wagon, donated by the family of the late Mabel Wheeler, filled with “amazing gifts,” Johnson said. They also have been given “lots of gifts from family and friends.”

Johnson said she is a life-long resident of Colfax and is working on her high school diploma. She said she will be a stay-at-home mom for right now.