Two Area Couples Deliver First Babies of 2012

David and Laura Neal had a New Year’s Eve to top all others.

Not long after midnight, their first child – Caleb Sheffey Neal – was born. And not only was he their first child, but he also was the first child born in McHenry County in 2012.

At 12:35 a.m., the Harvard couple welcomed the baby, who weighed in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 19 inches long.

David Neal said the date of their son’s arrival is exciting, but added that the couple was more excited to have a happy, healthy baby boy by their side.

“We’re just loving the feeling of being first time parents,” Neal said. “We’re very excited.”

They weren’t sure if Caleb would make his appearance in 2011, or 2012. Laura Neal’s due date was December 30. Her doctor scheduled an inducement for Saturday, December 31.

However, when Laura Neal arrived at the hospital at 7 p.m., she already was starting to have contractions five minutes apart, her husband said, and she didn’t need the inducement.

“We weren’t really sure when he’d come,” David Neal said.

When little Caleb arrived, they learned he was the first baby born in McHenry County 2012.

 “This is all a little bit surreal,” he said. “We’re just very thankful to God that he is healthy and that she, Laura, is healthy, and that the delivery went well.”

To celebrate Caleb’s arrival, Centegra Health System Vice President David Tomlinson visited the family on New Year’s Day, said Kim Kubiak senior public relations coordinator for Centegra Health System.

An hour later at Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake County, Crystal Lake couple John and Bethany Florek welcomed their first son.

Welles Florek was born at 1:28 a.m., weighing in at 7 pounds, and 7 ounces, and 19.5 inches long, said Ro Ostergaard, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital’s public relations manager.

They, too, were treated to a gift basket of goodies to celebrate their son’s title as the first baby born at the hospital in 2012.