Not only does little Brielle Marie Potts share a birthday with her baba, Terri Yaceyko, but the 7 lbs, 5 oz baby girl was also the first baby born at the St. Therese Hospital in 2015.
Brielle was welcomed into the world by her family and hospital staff at 3:47 a.m. on Jan. 1, and could also be one of the very first babies born in the entire Lakeland area.
“I was just hoping to make it past Christmas,” says Angela Potts, whose original due date was Dec. 30, 2014.
When Brielle arrived on New Year’s morning, Angela says her own mom, Terri, was “pretty tickled” that she would be sharing her birthday with her new granddaughter.
Both Angela and her husband, Ryan Potts, admit they didn’t really consider the possibility of having a New Year’s baby, and didn’t realize that the honour would result in such an outpouring of donations from the community.
Each year, the St. Paul Journal collects donated items from local businesses to honour the first baby of 2015. A collection of blankets, diapers, clothing, gift certificates, toys, and items for mom and dad, were presented to the Potts family on Tuesday. The family also includes two-year-old Ethan.
Although Angela had to take an early leave from work at 28-weeks pregnant, the complications that had arose during her pregnancy resolved themselves, and aside from experiencing what felt like a rather long labour, Brielle was born healthy.
Angela and Ryan decided not to find out the gender of their baby, and when asked if they had hoped for a baby girl, both admitted that they really just wanted a healthy baby. But, with a quick glance at his wife, Ryan quickly added with a laugh, “She was hoping for a girl.”
The pair also admits that welcoming their second child has been a little less stressful than the first time around.
“We are a little less anxious about things,” says Angela, who is now excited to be able to watch her daughter grow up alongside her niece, born just a few months earlier.
And although it may be a little early to look ahead, when asked if the Potts family has plans to continue adding on to their family, Angela is eager to consider the idea of a third child.
“I always wanted three kids,” she says.
