Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Parents Daniel Baca and Schyler Teel pose with their new baby Benjamin.
CLOVIS — Baby Benjamin held off on his entrance to this world just long enough. Now he's the first newborn of the new year on record in eastern New Mexico.
Benjamin Raymond (Teel) Baca arrived 53 minutes after midnight Monday, weighing 7 pounds and 12 ounces.
"We're just really happy that he's healthy and he finally came," said his father Daniel Baca, noting Benjamin was expected Dec. 31 but debuted in the first hour of 2018 after almost a full day of labor.
The infant joins his family in Clovis with mother Schyler Teel along with his father and three siblings: Kaiden Griego, 5, Blandina Baca, 4, and 1-year old Devon Baca.
Two of young Benjamin's siblings have interesting birthdates of their own: brothers Kaiden and Devon share a Sept. 20 birthday, exactly four years apart, Baca said.
By area tradition, Plains Regional Medical Center welcomed the first baby born there in the new year with gift baskets piled with items from the community: diapers, clothes, food, a baby bath tub and gift certificates totaling $150 from various businesses.
"We're really happy to see how the community could come together for us," Baca said.
Benjamin's siblings visited their new little brother in the hospital. Teel remained in the hospital Monday evening, "feeling a lot better now but still tired," Baca said.
"We're excited for the newest addition and blessed," he added.
