First 2009 baby arrives week early

LIMA - Wednesday began as a routine doctor's appointment for Raymond and Catherine Assiongbon-Foly.

Next thing the couple knew they were at St. Rita's Medical Center a week before they expected to be preparing for their first child.

Twelve hours later, the first Lima baby of 2009 arrived.

"We didn't even think about it," Catherine Assiongbon-Foly said of having a New Year's baby. "They said it was possible, but at the time it looked like she could come before 12 p.m., but she made it through."

Eunice Ayele came into the world at 1:43 a.m., weighing 6 pounds 11 ounces. Eunice means "God is victory," Catherine Assiongbon-Foly said, and Ayele is from the couple's native home, Togo in West Africa.

While Mom and Dad gave little thought of Eunice being born on New Year's Day, they think she will enjoy hearing about it when she's older.

"One day she will say, ‘I was born on New Year's, the first in the area,'" Dad said. "I think every New Year's will be more than what it used to be now. It will have special meaning."

The couple had no plans for New Year's or even for Christmas, Dad saying that even before his daughter's arrival, she was the focus. They spent the holidays getting ready for Eunice, who wasn't expected Jan. 8.

Members of Seventh-day Adventist Church, faith is important to the couple. They are anxious to raise their daughter the same way.

For now though, they are content with their very "quiet" baby.

"She is a good baby. ... She is not a crying baby," Mom said.

"She is like Mom," Dad added.

While St. Rita's had several new babies before New Year's Day ended, staff at Lima Memorial Health System, Bluffton Hospital and Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys still waited for their first.

Van Wert County Hospital too was waiting late Thursday, but had word that an expectant mother was on her way in.