Taysen Weaver is first baby of 2014 born at Oaklawn Hospital

Oaklawn’s first baby of 2014 is Taysen Michele Weaver, born at 12:17 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2. The child is the daughter of Matthew and Taylor Weaver of Marshall.

Carillon bells were poised to play, as they are for all newborns when they depart from Oaklawn. The parents and child also received a celebratory gift basket from the hospital and an especially crafted infant tote bag designed and assembled by a young Marshall resident.

Little Taysen weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces at birth, and measured 20½  inches long, Oaklawn’s nursing staff reported.

The Weaver family will go home with a unique tote bag, hand-made and assembled by Elizabeth “Beth” Geairn, 12, of Marshall. The multi-pocketed, zippered tote includes several infant items, including handmade clothing, bibs and a high-chair seat insert.

Beth, daughter of Christina Geairn, created the items for a recent 4-H Club craft auction, where it was purchased by staff members of the hospital’s Development & Marketing Department.

“I like babies,” Beth said. “I figured I would try to give the person who has the first New Year’s baby something to look forward to.”

Beth’s mother said her daughter developed the concept herself as one of many sewing projects she especially enjoys assembling for her family and the 4-H organization, of which she has been a member for four years.

In addition to the donation of Beth’s project, the hospital staff also presented the Weaver family with a gift basket containing more items for the child – a blanket proclaiming the child as the hospital’s first 2014 baby, lotions, books, outlet covers, sanitizing solution, thermal beverage containers, slippers, candles, a variety of edible treats and a gift certificate from Ella’s Cafe.

Little Taysen joins the approximately 1,500 babies that have been delivered at the recently renovated Birth Center since the start of 2012.

At Oaklawn, a new mother remains in one comfortable, homelike room from labor through the time she takes her baby home. Fathers, support persons and siblings are welcome at all times, and other family members and friends may visit during normal visiting hours.

Each of the 11 private rooms for labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum care is decorated in soft colors and features a private bathroom and shower, a rocking chair and other amenities to make the mother and baby feel at ease. Some rooms have whirlpool tubs.

Direct access to the Birth Center is controlled by a computer-controlled security system, permitting staff to observe visitors visually before they may enter or leave, or lock all of the center’s doors automatically. The nursing station features a code-alert monitoring system for the electronic monitoring of each infant’s location in the center.

Experienced obstetrical nurses are always prepared to answer questions or respond to any need, and can provide information about natural relaxation, breathing techniques and pain medication.

For additional information about the Birth Center and its services, go to www.oaklawnhospital.org or call (269) 789-3929.