1st newborn ushers in ’10
Please note—this article originally appeared in the January 2, 2010 edition of The Journal Gazette. Original Web site linkMom, dad don't have name yet for preemie, 10 weeks early
Michael Zennie
Fort Wayne's first baby of the new decade was born at St. Joseph Hospital just 46 minutes into 2010. And his parents really wish he had waited.
He was due March 13 and weighed just 1 pound, 13 ounces when he was delivered early Friday.
Amanda Williams and Josh Burkhart haven't even picked out a name for him yet.
"We thought we had three more months," Burkhart said.
As the couple stood in front of television cameras Friday, they said they were excited to be the first new parents of the decade but nervous about their newborn son's health.
The tiny newborn — 13 inches long — can breathe on his own now but was being kept in a temperature- and humidity-controlled incubator.
His parents must wait to see how their son will handle the premature birth, but they are optimistic, according to Williams.
"He seems to be doing OK," Williams, 20, said.
Inside the incubator, he cried weakly and reached up for his mother, who put her hand inside to touch him.
Burkhart, 27, said he doesn't have grand hopes for his son for the coming decade.
"I just want good health for him for next the 10 years and in the long run," he said.
Parkview Hospital's first baby was born at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Women's and Children's Hospital at Parkview North. Conner Green weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces and was born to Corey and Kayla Green of Columbia City.
