First Baby Of 2020 At L+M Hospital Is 'New Year’s Everly'

NEW LONDON, CT — Rachel and Stephen Woods expected their little bundle of joy to arrive Dec. 22, just before Christmas. But their baby had other ideas. The couple rang in the New Year with the birth of Everly Patricia Woods on Jan. 1, 2020 at 2:42 a.m.

The first child of high school sweethearts Rachel and Stephen, was born a health baby weighing 7 pounds and 14 ounces.

Rachel, who was in familiar surroundings as she's worked as at L+M for a decade as a Registered Nurse on the Cardiology unit, was in labor for 32 hours before Everly by C-section.

“The familiar faces here provided me with a lot of reassurance and comfort throughout the whole experience,” Rachel said in a press release from the hospital. At 20 inches long, little Everly is healthy – and her parents are busting with joy.

“It’s so thrilling and exciting to have her,” Rachel said. “And it’s a nice even year, so it will always be easy to remember her birthday. It’s 1/1/20!”

Stephen, 36, and Rachel, 33, were high school sweethearts who attended Norwich Free Academy. They married on the summer solstice in June of 2013. And, their baby’s first nickname has already been coined: welcome, “New Year’s Everly!”

“Everyone at the hospital has just been amazing,” added Stephen. “It’s been wonderful.”

The now-family of three live in Niantic.