First baby, last baby

Photo: E.C. Shanor

REESE FINALLY ARRIVED, FIRST — Reese Owens-Stubbs, born January 3, was the first child born at Norway's Stephens Memorial Hospital in 2011. His father, Chris Owens, and mother, Carolyn Stubbs, flank him as he sleeps.

NORWAY — A New Year's puzzle - Aubreigh was supposed to be first, but was (nearly) last, and she came in ahead of Reese, who was supposed to be last, but was first.

In a small community medical facility, even one has highly lauded as Stephens Memorial Hospital (SMH), sometimes days go by without an infant being welcomed into the world.

So it was, that Reese Michael Owen-Stubbs made his first appearance at 4:03 p.m., on January 3, more than a week after he was expected to arrive, on December 25. But, he was the first child born at SMHin 2011.  By that time, "old timer"Aubriegh Lee Garner had been waiting around since 11:46 a.m., on December 29. She had not been due to arrive until the first week in January, but arrived early. Perhaps one day they'll have a chat about it, perhaps with Jeremy Varney, who was born at 11:54 December 29, to Sabrina Palmer. That makes him the last baby born at SMH in 2010.

Actually, the young lady, Garner, didn't stick around the SMH birthing place, so she wasn't able to greet Reese in person. She preferred to make an extended visit to her parents' house. The newcomer, Owens-Stubbs, indicated that he intended to spend time with his family, too, before moving on to other things.

Christopher I. Owens and Carolyn Stubbs, of Norway, are the proud parents of Reese, who has an older brother, James.

Aubriegh, who's equally proud parents are Danika and Christopher Garner, of Bethel, also has an older brother, Dalton. Little Aubriegh wasn't expected when she arrived, but seems to have learned that December 29 was her parents' third anniversary and she didn't want to miss the party. Also, her father notes, he'd had an unpleasant job-seeking experience the day before and was down-in-the dumps that morning when Danika said, "Uh-oh."

"Aubriegh sure changed that," said her father, Chris Garner, a business development consultant who is currently unemployed. "And, she brought us a tax deduction as a present."

The Owens-Stubbs were a little less surprised at Reese's arrival. In fact, relief might better describe their feelings.

"He was supposed to be a Christmas baby, but he just didn't want to come out," said  his mother, Carolyn.

Reese's father recently earned full-time status in his job as a sales representative for Radio Shack. He thought the lad didn't want to be a distraction during the Christmas rush, but that he still wanted to help his Dad avoid January inventory drudgery.

Carolyn said a name for the new arrival had eluded them until just before Reese arrived. Then, she realized that it had been staring her in the face all the time - her favorite pregnancy comfort food - Reese's Pieces. So Reese became Reese.