Caroline Reeves is first baby in Jefferson County

Caroline Ann Reeves has great timing, but that came as something of a surprise to her parents.

Brian and Sharon Reeves of Farmington said that because Caroline’s older brother and sister had both arrived two or three weeks ahead of their due date, they expected Caroline would be an early Christmas present.

They didn’t expect her to hold out until her Jan. 2 due date, but that is just what happened. At 6:18 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2 Caroline Ann Reeves was the first baby born in Jefferson County for 2005.

“People would tease us about having the first baby of the year, but we thought for sure she’d come early,” Sharon Reeves said.

Caroline was right on time, and since no babies were born at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Crystal City on Jan. 1, she is Baby New Year 2005.

“They told us about it after the fact,” Brian Reeves said. “We were surprised that there were no babies born January 1.”

Both of Caroline’s parents are teachers at Farmington High School. Brian Reeves is a history teacher, and Sharon Reeves teaches biology.

Jefferson Memorial Hospital presented the family with a case of diapers, $200 U.S. Savings Bond, and a wicker basket filled with blankets, sleepers, socks, toys, bibs, and much more.

Caroline weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and had several visitors on her first day including her sister Corrine, 8, and Evan, 6. Her grandparents are John and Nancy Crow of Farmington, Bob and Bev Reeves of Cape Girardeau, and great-grandmother Betty Griffin of Farmington.