First baby of 2017
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 4, 2017 8:23 AM
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News-Argus/SETH COMBS
Proud parents Chelsea and Curtis Bowick hold their newborn son Josiah at Wayne Memorial Hospital Tuesday morning. The first baby born in Wayne County of 2017, Josiah weighs 6lbs 6oz and came into this world at 12:29pm on January 1, 2017.
News-Argus/SETH COMBS
Chelsea and Curtis Bowick with 6lb 6oz Josiah at Wayne Memorial Hospital Tuesday morning. Josiah was the the first baby born in 2017 in Wayne County beating out the next in line by just over an hour.
Parents of the first baby born in the New Year, Chelsea and Curtis Bowick of Goldsboro had a quiet evening planned Saturday, going out to eat dinner.
"We just got home at maybe 12:10 (Sunday) morning," Ms. Bowick said. "We were at home, sitting on the couch watching the celebration (on TV).
"I thought my water broke."
The couple, along with their firstborn, Malachi, made their way to the hospital.
"We had no bags packed because he wasn't due until the 12th," Ms. Bowick said. "My water broke at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning. We got here around 2 o'clock that morning and he was born at 12:29 p.m."
Josiah weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 20 inches long.
Only later did the couple discover they won the pool for having the first Wayne County baby born in 2017.
"We were surprised. We had no idea it was between us and another person," Ms. Bowick said. "When we came in initially, I told (nurses) I thought my water broke. They said there was another person (delivering).
"They finally told me that (my nurse) and another nurse were competing on who was going to be the New Year's baby. I beat the other lady by an hour."
Five-year-old Malachi, whisked away to a neighbor's while his parents were otherwise engaged, was thrilled to become a big brother, the couple said.
"Malachi was so excited to see him. He was so excited to finally meet him," Ms. Bowick said.
The Bowick's, originally from Alabama, said they are also looking forward to settling in with their new addition.
"We're excited. It's getting into the swing of things, remembering there's no sleep," Ms. Bowick said with a smile.