First Whitman Hospital baby born Jan. 5

RJ Shirey and Raeanna Lopes hold newborn son Nathan in this selfie photo.

Raeanna Lopes, 19, poses with the radio flyer wagon given to the first baby of the new year. Nathan Erickson Shirey was born to Lopes and RJ Shirey Jan. 5.

The first baby of 2017 arrived at the Whitman Hospital and Medical Center last week.

Nathan Erickson Shirey was born Thursday, Jan. 5, at the hospital to Raeanna Lopes, 19, and RJ Shirey, 20. Lopes and Shirey reside in Tekoa. Tekoa is also home to 2016's first baby at Whitman Hospital.

“Tekoa's the winner of the New Year's baby,” said Cristi Shindler, family birth center nurse manager.

Lopes was admitted to Whitman Hospital the night of Wednesday, Jan. 4, and she delivered Nathan at 5:37 p.m. the next day. Nathan weighed 5 lbs, 4.5 oz. and was 19 inches long. He is the first child of Lopes and Shirey. Lopes' due date was Jan. 4, so she was one day overdue. Shindler said she had expected Lopes to be the one who would deliver the first baby of the year at the hospital.

As the first baby of the new year, Nathan went home with a Radio Flyer fold up wagon full of gifts donated by the hospital and area businesses. Shindler said goodies included blankets, clothes, diapers, board books, puzzles and stuffed animals.

Shindler noted that Lopes decided to take out all of the girl items from the wagon and donated them back to the hospital so that the first girl baby of the new year can be sent home with these items. Shindler said she has no idea when to expect the first girl baby of the year.