By Correne Martin
The very first baby born in the New Year is a celebrity of sorts—in a small town anyway.
Crossing Rivers Health’s 2018 New Year’s baby is a cherished little darling girl, Leah Elizabeth, born to parents Laci Meng and Job Nieland, of Monona, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 1, at 1:01 p.m. She arrived weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and measuring 20.5 inches in length.
Grandparents are Sherry and Dean Nieland, of McGregor; Robert Meng, of Bagley; Judy and Glen Sjoerdsma, of Randolph; and great-grandma is Birdie Meng, of Bagley. The baby is the first grandchild for either side of the family.
Though they were quiet while doting over their new daughter’s delicate features—including a warm complexion, a fair head of hair, chunky cheeks and wrinkly feet—both mom and dad agreed she’ll be spoiled.