By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The due date was Jan. 10, but one newborn decided he wanted to come a little earlier than expected.
Merrick William French arrived at 3:24 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, making him the first baby born in Niles in 2008. He weighed 7-pounds, 8-ounces. This is the first baby for Michael and Samantha French of Niles, and they both admitted they are very excited.
"It's great. I'm more speechless than anything," Michael said Wednesday morning.
Michael explained that if Merrick would have been born on his due date, he would have shared his special day with another member of the family.
"Jan. 10 is the same day as my dad's birthday, which we thought was pretty neat, but this is pretty special also," he said.
"I'm very, very happy, but very, very tired," Samantha said.
While the family celebrated the arrival of the newest addition, and being the first baby born in Niles, something else gives this story a unique ending.
"My mom called me last night and told me that I was the first baby born in the new OB (birthing center) at this hospital almost 23 years ago. My story was also in the paper. I thought that was pretty neat," Michael explained.
Celebrations will more than likely continue, but for now, it was clear that dad, mom and baby Merrick, who was sound asleep, were all tired and in need of rest.
Maternal grandparents of Merrick are Bobby Rudd and Christine and Stan Maddux.
Paternal grandparents are David and Shonie Cerri and Joseph and Milly French.