Mother, Andie McDaniel, father, Sean McDaniel, along with Barton Memorial Hospital’s Birthing Center cheered after several hours of labor and an intense cesarean section in the operating room – resulting in a healthy baby boy.
Born almost two-weeks early, Laird Lopaka McDaniel came into this world on New Year’s Day 2012 at 8:02 p.m. weighing in at 6.9 oz and measuring at 18.5 inches.
“He was not due till’ the 13th, Andie said. “I went into labor at noon on New Year’s Eve and we did not go to the hospital until 4 a.m. [until her contractions became closer].”
After hours of complications such as a high fever and low blood pressure it was time to operate.
“Dr. Kobalter was wonderful, all of the nurses and staff, especially anesthesiologist, Dr. Orr,” Andie said.
Both Sean and Andie are avid surfers and will have their son baptised in Hawaii in April by Sean’s brother who also married the two. Laird is named after Sean’s other brother who passed when Sean was 10-years-old.
“He was his idol and he died in a fatal car accident,” Andie said.
With their passion for the sun, the ocean and the snow, both parents look forward to teaching Laird to surf and ski.
“I knew that as soon as I had a boy he would be named Laird,” Sean said. “He will be athletic and a well-rounded individual.”
Barton Health gathered more than $1,300 in gifts from local businesses for Andie, Sean and baby Laird to begin their new journey together.
“It was such a surprise and very nice of all of the businesses to help celebrate the birth of our child,” Andie said.