On the Palouse, two New Year's babies

Emily Pearce, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho
·2 min read

Jan. 3—Two local families will be having a double holiday in the coming years after their babies were born on New Year's Day.

Jackson Morgan said he and his wife, Hannah Nixon, were looking forward to a Christmas baby, but were happily surprised to welcome their son on New Year's.

Samuel Archer Morgan was born at Gritman Medical Center in Moscow around 1 p.m. Monday. He weighed about 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 20 inches long.

Hannah said the delivery was smooth and seamless. The only problem, she added, was their son didn't want to come out.

"He was the one who decided to be a New Year's baby — he decided to wait," Hannah said. "I guess he wanted to stay inside where it's warmer. It's 50 degrees colder out here."

Jackson said they were a bit worried when Samuel passed his due date, but were relieved to hear their son was born healthy.

The new family is from Moscow — Hannah was born in the same hospital, she said. She spent her early years in Lewiston before moving to Moscow when she was 3. Jackson came to the Palouse in 2005.

"It's important to us to raise him similarly to how I was raised," Hannah said. "It's so special to us that he was born in the same place as I was."

Amber Mena said she and her husband, Fernando Mena-Robles, stayed up to watch the clock strike midnight. They went to bed only to be woken a few hours after New Year's Eve festivities when her water broke.

Amber said their son, Emiliano Mena-Robles, came a week early. She added they were still figuring out a name while he was being delivered.

Emiliano was born at Pullman Regional Hospital at 2 p.m. Monday. He was 21 inches long, and 7 pounds, 5 ounces.

Fernando and Amber are from Clarkston. They decided to deliver in Pullman because the hospital was highly recommended to them by their midwife and many peers.

Amber said they had a few bumps in the road while delivering, but were well taken care of by hospital staff.

Fernando said he's happy his son was born on New Year's because they'll never forget his birthday.

"We thought it would be nice to have a New Year's baby, but you don't get to pick the day," Fernando said. "But we're happy he decided to come early."

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.