First new baby greeted for 2001
Published 12:00 am Saturday, January 6, 2001
Amy Szpara
LAPLACE – While most people were celebrating the ending of one year and the start of another with noisemakers, champagne and fireworks, one LaPlace family had something else to celebrate.
As the world brought in the new year, Gina Marie Abernathy brought forth her first baby. Her husband, Peter Garlin Abernathy, stood by her side as their new son joined the family.
Jason Garlin Abernathy entered the world at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and 20 inches at 8:45 a.m. on New Years Day, earning himself the title of River Parishes Hospitals first baby of 2001. He was delivered by Dr. Stuart Shultz.
The new baby is not the first child in the Abernathy family. His brother, Jacob Abernathy, is 3 years old. Jacob, Peters son and Ginas stepson, hasnt seen the new baby yet. He did understood that he was going to be a big brother, though, the parents said.”He would point to my stomach and say baby,” the new mother said.
Gina, who gave birth for the first time on Monday, said that the pregnancy and delivery went well, and there were no complications during delivery. “It was a great pregnancy. I never got sick.” Peter joked that she experienced a little crankiness the next day, which was to be expected. “It helps when you have a good husband, though,” he said with a smile.
The mothers due date was Jan. 15, but she was scheduled for a Caesarean section Jan. 10. Instead, she went into labor on New Years morning, and was at the hospital by 3:30 a.m.
“I had just eaten a banana split,” Gina recalled. She wanted to treat herself to celebrate the new year.”Then I went to bed.”
In the early morning hours, she began having contractions and hurried to River Parishes Hospital. “It must have been that banana split,” she said.
Peter, a self-employed carpenter, is waiting for his parents to arrive to meet their new grandson, the fifth of five boys. They are due in next week from their home in Tennessee.
The other happy grandparents, Ginas mother and father, live in LaPlace, and were at the hospital when the baby was born Monday. Jason is their second grandchild, and their first grandson.
Gina, who has worked in the hotel business for six years, is strongly considering staying home for a while with her new baby.
As the newest resident of LaPlace, Jason has been welcomed by both the hospital he was born in and his community.
Sean Roussel, director of marketing for the hospital, and Tammy Waltz, assistant marketing director, brought in gifts for the new baby and his family. The hospital gave $100 of baby merchandise from its gift shop and a $100 gift certificate for Wal-Mart.
In addition to the gifts from the hospital, Portraits by Susie gave a portrait package, Louisiana Federal Credit Union gave a $25 gift certificate, Childrens World gave a ceramic cross, Winn-Dixie Stores gave a floral arrangement, and Stage Department Store gave a baby-feeding set and three 25-percent- off coupons.
Not only did Jason receive gifts, but his parents did as well. The couple will receive a large complimentary pizza from both Papa Johns Pizza and Pizza Hut. They will also get to enjoy dinner for two at Bulls Corner Restaurant.
“Well take dinner anytime,” said the new mother.
“The baby stuff and gift certificates will definately help,” said the proud papa.
According to Roussel, this is the third year that the hospital and community have participated in showering the first baby of the year with gifts.
“We enjoy having the opportunity to share in these special moments with our patients and their families. The holidays are such a special time by themselves, and what better present can two new parents receive than the birth of a healthy, beautiful baby,” said Roussel.
Two days after Gina gave birth, on Wednesday morning, the two new parents sat in the dimly lit hospital room, mother in rocker with a huge smile across her lips and her new son bundled in her arms. The father cheerily joked with his wife and looked at his child, while he waited for the two to be released to go home. Mother and child were released that afternoon.
