Staff Reports
This year’s first baby of the year has a lot of firsts associated with her arrival — the first child for her parents, the first grandchild for her grandparents and the first baby of the new decade for Bartholomew County.
Adaline Jade McNicholas, 7 pounds, 9 ounces, at 19½ inches long, was resting quietly in her mother Genevieve Eggers’ arms on Wednesday afternoon at Columbus Regional Hospital, blissfully unaware that her arrival signified the first baby born in Bartholomew County in 2020.
New dad Jacob McNicholas and Genevieve were operating on about two hours of sleep since Tuesday morning, when Genevieve, a tech in CRH’s critical care unit, had labor induced. The baby’s original due date was Christmas Day.
“It’s was a long day,” the couple said of New Year’s Eve.
Genevieve said another couple had their baby just a couple minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve, resulting in Adaline being the first baby of 2020.
“We thought she would come around her due date on Christmas,” Genevieve said while cradling the infant. But Adaline arrived a week later.
“She’s a good baby,” Genevieve said as the baby continued to nap in her arms. “She just sleeps.”
The couple, from Scipio, said they knew the gender of the baby before she arrived. They originally met while in high school at Columbus East.
Jacob works as a diesel mechanic at VoMac Truck Sales and Service in Seymour, and with an acknowledgement of his lack of sleep, checked his ball cap from his employer to give the correct spelling for “VoMac,” prompting a smile from Genevieve.
Paternal grandparents visiting on Wednesday afternoon at the hospital were Don and Kelly McNicholas, Elizabethtown, who had a chance to marvel at Adaline’s tiny feet and toes as the baby was unwrapped from her blanket for a diaper change.
Maternal grandparents are Christopher and Kristina Hill, Bloomington, and William Eggers, Clayton.
As the first baby of the new year, the family will receive a gift basket from Child Abuse Prevention of Bartholomew County which includes newborn care items donated by Amazing Joe’s Grill, Papa’s Grill, The Tony London Co., Blondie’s Salon & Spa, AAA Striping and Dorel.
