MOUNT VERNON — The first baby of 2008 made her arrival on Thursday afternoon, just three days into the new year. Ozlynn Marie Bagent was born at Knox Community Hospital at 2:58 p.m. on Jan. 3.
Her mother, Ester Lawson, and father, Justin Bagent, of Mount Vernon, said they were delighted by her arrival, especially since she was expected on Jan. 17.
“I’m glad I had her now, because she might have been a big baby,” said Lawson, who will take Ozlynn home today.
Weighing in at 7 pounds and 2 ounces — and 19 1/2 inches long — Ozlynn dozed in her mother’s arms, smiling a little in her sleep and flashing her dimples.
“She’s a good baby,” said Lawson. “She stays content.”
As the couple’s first child, Ozlynn already has her father wrapped around her tiny finger. Bagent opened the hospital’s gifts, exclaiming over the handmade quilts and sweaters from Newborns in Need, especially a little pink shirt with the inscription, “I found my prince ... his name is Daddy.”
“She [Lawson] went in to the [KCH] pavilion for her usual Thursday morning checkup, at 10 a.m.,” said Bagent. “The doctor said the baby might come this weekend. Then her water broke, right there in the doctor’s office.”
Michael Sullivan, M.D., sent Lawson directly to the birthing center at the hospital next door, and within two hours, Ozlynn had made her way into the world.
“She was a quick little bundle of joy,” said Bagent, who couldn’t stop smiling.
Lawson said her stepmother had planned several years ago to name her own daughter, Lawson’s younger sister, Ozlynn, but changed her mind. Lawson loved the name, however, and was determined to use it for her own baby. Since her middle name is Lynn, she thinks it’s a nice connection, as well.
The baby’s grandfather, Robert Gump of Mount Vernon, said Ozlynn is his first grandchild.
“I like this,” he said with a grin. “It’ll be nicer when she’s up running and playing. But I’ll turn 45 in February, so I’m ready to be a grandpa.”
“She’s the first grandchild, and the first great-grandchild on both sides of the family,” said great-grandmother Judy Gump, also of Mount Vernon. “It feels wonderful ... she’s going to get plenty of attention.”
