Gonzales’ first baby arrives just after 8 a.m. New Year’s Day

Gonzales Healthcare Systems is proud to announce the first baby of 2014. A 5-pound, 7-ounce baby girl measuring 18 ½ inches long, took her first breath January 1, 2014. Julianna Marie Rivera, the 2014 New Year’s Baby, was born at 8:07 a.m. at Gonzales Memorial Hospital to Mikayla Wickens and Steven Rivera of Gonzales.

Juliana Marie Rivera was delivered by David Meredith, DO. Mikayla was under the care of Christopher Walker, MD. While there was a tinge of excitement at Juliana being the first baby of the New Year, the family’s concern was that she was healthy. The nurses in the OB Department said they were excited to be able to play a part in bringing Julianna into this world.

Wickens said she and her daughter are doing just fine. Baby Juliana received a bag full of gifts from Gonzales Healthcare Systems and the Gonzales Memorial Auxiliary in recognition the “First Baby of the New Year.” Barbara Blanchard crocheted a beautiful pink and white bonnet for the New Year’s baby. “They did a wonderful job taking care of my daughter and me,” Wickens said of the ladies in the OB department, as did Dr. Meredith and Dr. Walker.