First baby of the year is born at SMH

Photo: Kayla Collins

FIRST BABY OF YEAR — Cary Kerr and boyfriend Joseph Patenaude, of Mexico, hold their newborn baby Marley Izabella Kerr-Patenaude, who was born at 1:38 a.m. on January 1 at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. According to mom, Marley weighs 8 pounds, 2 ounces and is 22.5 inches tall. Marley joins half brothers and sisters, Harley, 20, Maggie, 18, Garth, 17, Joey, 23, and Savannah, 16. According to dad, there hasn't been a New Year's baby in the family for 57 years. 

NORWAY — The first baby born at Stephens Memorial Hospital in 2013 joins five half brothers and sisters, and parents, Cary Kerr and Joseph Patenaude, of Mexico, say they're excited about their little addition to their family. 

Marley Izabella Kerr-Patenaude was born at 1:38 a.m. at SMH, weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 22.5 inches long. 

"She's going to be tall like me," said dad, rocking his daughter in his arms. 

According to mom, Marley joins half brothers and sisters, Harley Kerr, 20, Maggie Kerr, 18, Garth Kerr, 17, Joey Patenaude, 23, and Savannah Patenaude, 16. 

Mom said that Marley was initially scheduled to be born on January 13, but with rapid contractions, Marley came a couple weeks early, and through an emergency c-section. 

 "I got my wish," mom said, of Marley being born on the first of the year.

"It was God's way of saying, 'she's coming.'" 

According to dad, Marley is the third in his family to be born on New Year's Day. He said he had a cousin born at 6 a.m. and an uncle born at 6 p.m. both in the same day one New Year. 

"There hasn't been a New Year's baby born in the family for 57 years," dad said, as he smiled down at Marley.

Mom said she decided to name her daughter "Marley" after Marley's two older sisters, Harley and Maggie. 

"It [the name Marley] honors both of their names together," mom said. 

"Haggie," wouldn't work, she said, laughing, so she decided to name her daughter Marley, instead. Plus, she said, she just really likes the name. 

On behalf of Marley being the New Year's baby, area businesses, including Books N Things, New Balance, Hannaford, as well as SMH's Community Relations Department, donated gifts to the family.