Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital celebrates first baby of the New Year

Sweet baby snuggles, big sister hugs and an assortment of presents greeted the first baby of the new year born at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital.

Theon Aiden Grove was born to Nikole Widenoja and Trevor Grove, of Newport, at 5:46 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The healthy boy weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. When big sister Maraya, age 5, met her baby brother for the first time, she asked, “Can I hold him?” With help from Daddy, she settled onto a sofa with Theon safely tucked on her lap for a few moments. But it wasn’t long before Theon was back in his mother’s arms.

To celebrate the first baby of the new year, it is tradition for the North Lincoln Hospital Foundation to present a gift to the new family. This year, the foundation’s executive director, Cathy Sandoval, presented the gift basket filled with a “Baby Buddy” blanket toy, baby book, matching set of booties, hat, blanket, burp cloth and toy, piggy bank, plush lamb toy and balloon.

Another gift was presented by Sherri Nordyke, on behalf of her non-profit organization, Clara’s Closet. Along with a Pack-n-Play with sheets, the baby box gift included an assortment of essential baby toiletry, safety and clothing items such as diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, baby wash, baby lotion, pacifiers, medicine dropper, receiving blankets, hand-knitted cap and blanket, bibs, burp cloths, handmade pieced quilt and sleep sack.

With Theon leading the way, the staff of Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Family Birthing Center look forward to delivering another 150 babies or so during 2018.