First Baby Born in McHenry County Finally Arrives, Despite Snow Storm

A Crystal Lake couple welcomed the area's first baby of 2014 at 12:31 a.m. Jan. 1. But little Maci Joyce Curtin was born at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, which is located in Lake County. Click here for that story.

The first baby actually born in McHenry County took a little longer to arrive.

But baby Jacob finally made his debut at 11:57 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, at Centegra Hospital- Woodstock. 

Proud parents Catherine Bigsby and Jeremy Anderson, of McHenry, welcomed the little guy, who weighed in at 7 pounds 14 oz., and measured 19 inches long, according to Kim Kubiak public relations manager for Centegra.

Jacob was due Dec. 31, and, in addition to running a little late, the snowstorm caused a bit of chaos for his mom and dad. 

The expectant parents became stuck in a ditch in Bull Valley for 30 minutes on their way to the hospital, Kubiak said.

"She said she thought she might have to deliver in a tow truck, but they did not," Kubiak said. "The 'excitement' of being stuck in the snowstorm actually stopped her labor pains for a while but they quickly resumed once they got to the hospital."

Bigsby's contractions had begun around 8 a.m. Jan. 1. Once she passed Dec. 31st (without having the baby), she didn't think there was a chance she would deliver the first baby of the new year.

"So, she was surprised when she heard the news," Kubiak said.