MOUNT VERNON — The first baby born in the new year was welcomed at Knox Community Hospital at 4:27 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Jacob Talan Morningstar is the son of Katie Bricker and Jacob Morningstar of Fredericktown.
Talan — who his mother said will be called by his middle name — weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 19 3/4 inches long; he has light brown hair and dark brown eyes. He is the couple’s second child and, said his mom, his big sister, 3-year-old Lyndsey Morningstar, is still excited about his arrival.
“She wasn’t in the door two minutes [on Monday],” said Bricker, “before she said, ‘Can I see the baby?’ When she went home last night, she said, ‘I’m going to put all my toys away’” in preparation for sharing a room with her new brother.
Bricker, whose due date was Jan. 20, had gone to the hospital a month ago because Talan insisted on being born, but the doctor disagreed and stopped the labor. For the next few weeks, Bricker took maternity leave from her job and was on bed rest, not an easy task with a 3-year-old in the house.
At 3:36 a.m. on New Year’s Day, upon the renewed insistence of Talan, Bricker and Morningstar arrived at the hospital for his birth. Less than an hour later, their son made his appearance.
“It went so fast,” said Bricker. “It was such a blur. I had no options for any medication because he was coming fast. I only had to push four times. The nurses said, ‘You’re 5 [centimeters dilated], you’re 9, he’s here.’ I was in awe.”
She added that, “He cried right away. His dad cried right away, too.”
Mother and baby went home Tuesday afternoon.
“He’s a good boy,” said Bricker. “All he’s done is sleep.”
