Staff Reports
Bartholomew County’s first baby of 2021 arrived a week early and in somewhat of an emergency fashion, giving his parents just enough time to watch the ball drop for the new year before they headed to Columbus Regional Hospital.
Jayce Alexander, at 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and 21 inches long, is the county’s first baby of 2021, arriving at 2:16 a.m. Saturday to parents Nick and Ashley Doffing, Columbus.
Nick works in drafting at Cummins, Inc. and Ashley is a SIHO claims analyst.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Jayce is the fourth child for the couple, joining brothers Bryson, 9, and Ryder, 5 and sister Kynsley, 3, their mother said.
Ashley said they had not expected Jayce’s arrival until closer to his due date of Jan. 8. The couple had just watched the New Year’s ball drop on television signaling the start of 2021 when Ashley’s water broke. She said they headed to the hospital “immediately.”
While the three previous births were all natural childbirths, Ashley said doctors determined the umbilical cord was around Jayce’s neck, causing the need for a Caesarean section, adding a bit more of an emergency to the delivery.
The family had been quarantining away from everyone for about the last month and a half due to the pandemic and concerns about being exposed to the virus, Ashley said.
Jayce also has the honor of breaking the string of first babies in Bartholomew County being girls for the past four years. He is the first baby boy of the year in Bartholomew County since 2016.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The gift basket” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Since 2018, the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Bartholomew County has been sponsoring a baby basket full of gifts for Baby New Year and family. The 2021 New Year Baby basket is full of donations from these sponsors:
- Amazing Joe’s Grill (gift certificate)
- Blondie’s Salon & Spa (gift certificate)
- Dorel (activity play yard)
- Lucabe Coffee Co. (gift card)
- Viewpoint Books (gift bag)
- Anonymous (baby items)
[sc:pullout-text-end]
