The Bellevue Hospital’s Family Birthing Center welcomed the first baby of 2017 on New Year’s Day, making Charli Carolyn Eberly the first baby born at TBH and the first in Erie, Huron, Sandusky and Seneca counties.
Charli, who weighed in at 6-pounds, 4-ounces and was 19.5-inches in length, was delivered by Corey Fazio, D.O., at 4:49 p.m. on Jan. 1. She is the daughter of Johni Eberly of Fremont.
“My due date was January 1, but I never thought I would deliver on my actual due date, so having a New Year’s baby never crossed my mind,” said Johni. “I thought I was actually going to have the baby early.”
Added Johni, “I started having braxton hicks contractions on Friday, December 30. The real contractions started around 4:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. After more than 24 hours of labor, little Charli made her appearance. I was shocked that I had the first baby born at The Bellevue Hospital in 2017!”
Eberly knew prior to the birth that she was going to have a baby girl. Charli is the first child for Johni.
Charli and her mom received many gifts from local and area businesses for being the first baby of 2017, including $200 from the hospital, yoga classes for mom compliments of Karen Branco, certified yoga instructor, and gifts from the hospital Gift Shop.
Charli also received various gifts from local merchants, including Russell’s Flowers, Garden Center & Gifts, Hogue’s IGA, Bassett’s Market, CVS, ACE Hardware, Dendinger’s, First National Bank, and Bone Boys BBQ & Catering The Smokehouse.
Maternal grandparents are Chris Aldrich and Matthew Eberly, Fremont.
Charli beat out the first baby in Huron County, born at Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk at 10:44 p.m. on Jan. 1. On Jan. 2, at 11:18 a.m., Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky welcomed their first baby of the year, followed closely by Mercy Hospital in Tiffin with a delivery at 5:53 p.m. ProMedica Memorial Hospital in Fremont welcomed their first baby of the year on Jan. 3.