On Thursday, January 7, Bethany Trujillo could hardly wait to get to Humboldt General Hospital.
That day, she knew she was going to have a baby, Humboldt County's first baby of the New Year.
"I remember walking into the hospital being really excited because my baby was finally coming out," explained the new mother.
"Oh, it was a great feeling."
That was at 6:30 a.m. Ava Marie Hollon made her debut at 10:56 a.m. Thursday, January 7.
She is the first child of Trujillo and Cody Hollon and the first grandchild for Christy and Ed Trujillo and Kim Whitehead and Lonnie and Kelly Hollon, all of Winnemucca.
Trujillo was due December 29, so when her doctor suggested that labor might need to be induced, the very pregnant Trujillo was ecstatic, at least at first.
"It was harder than I thought," she said of labor, "It was way harder than I expected." But the reward was so worth it. "She's absolutely beautiful," said the new mom. "I'm just hoping that she'll be well and healthy."
Area organizations did their part to celebrate this area's newest resident. The family received a $100 check from the Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary, an all-volunteer organization whose members operate the Poke N' Peek Thrift Shop as well as lend daily assistance at the hospital.
Additionally, the Humboldt County CattleWomen will present the baby with a gift certificate, the Senior Center Crafters provided a beautiful afghan, and Humboldt General Hospital gave the new baby a $100 gift certificate, flowers, a teddy bear as well as a variety of other goodies.
That's in addition to the wide array of other gifts, samples and supplies the staff at the hospital showers on each new baby.
Ava Marie weighed 7 pounds, 10.5 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long. She has a beautiful little face ringed with soft, dark hair. She was delivered by Dr. Sharon McIntyre.
Trujillo was excited that her daughter was Humboldt County's first baby of the New Year. "I didn't think it would be me," she explained, noting that another woman, pregnant with her third child, was being induced at the same time. "So I expected her to have the New Year's baby, but it turned out the other way around."
"Everyone has just been really nice and helpful to me," she added. "We're just so glad she's here."
For more information on Humboldt General Hospital or its obstetrics department, please contact the hospital at (775) 623-5222, ext. 142, to speak with a nurse or to schedule a free tour.