craigdailypress.com

Bethany Lou Martin’s nose was slightly crooked, but was becoming straighter by the hour.

She weighed exactly 6 pounds and wore a lavender cap, which was knit by hospital volunteers.

But her mother, Dorothy, said she’d always remember one thing about the day her first child was born.

“I’ll always remember she was born while it was snowing,” Dorothy said, looking out the window from her bed at The Memorial Hospital.

One of the first snowfalls of the winter blanketed the grass outside her window, while Dorothy held her pink-clad daughter close to her chest.

Bethany was born at 2:09 p.m. Friday and was the first baby delivered at The Memorial Hospital’s new facility.

After 60 years at 745 Russell St., The Memorial Hospital moved into its $42.6 million new facility Thursday morning.

Two babies were born at the hospital Friday, which is located at 750 Hospital Loop.

On Saturday morning, Dorothy and her husband, Randall Martin, welcomed a steady stream of women from their church to dote over the latest addition to their community.

Miriam Hess, who will give birth to her child in December, brought a gift card and blessings to her friends.

Bethany fell into a deep sleep in Hess’ arms, but Dorothy, with a smile, warned them not to be deceived.

“She has a loud voice, so don’t worry,” she said. “She showed that to us yesterday. She was crying just about right away.”

Dorothy was healthy and comfortably settled in the new hospital bed. She said it was an honor to have the first baby in the new hospital.

“It’s been a really good place to stay,” she said. “They’ve taken really good care of me.”

Bethany wriggled and yawned slightly while Hess gasped at the baby’s likeness to her mother.

“She couldn’t look more like you if she tried,” Hess said.

The next visitor was Lois Yoder, who brought with her several baby outfits and jumpers for Bethany’s journey home.

But, more importantly, she also bore the wisdom of a practiced mother.

“It’s so easy for first time mothers to get worried about every little thing,” Yoder said. “Like if they breathe differently or make a weird noise. But, I’d just say relax and enjoy your baby. I’ve enjoyed every single one of mine. They’re all so different.”

Yoder is pregnant with her 11th child, who is due in February.

She said she could hardly wait to be back within the walls of TMH and be cradling her own new baby in her arms.

“It’s just something you never get tired of,” she said.

Dr. Scott Ellis, the obstetrician who delivered Bethany and one other baby Friday, said the family had been nothing short of a pleasure to work with.

“It’s been very nice and pleasant,” Ellis said. “They’re a really wonderful family. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have delivered first.”

Although the new protocols and workflow in the new hospital were less than a day old, Ellis said there were few hiccups in any of the procedures they had completed so far.

“With any new facility, there’s always bugs,” he said. “But it’s just about kind of getting everything flowing.”

In the birthing room, the new parents looked more and more at ease with each visitor. More than anything, they were eager to take their daughter home and begin their lives as a family.

“God gave us a healthy baby,” Randall said. “And we’re really looking forward to being her parents.”

Dorothy, who was glowing with the love of a first time mother, only had one word for what her little girl would bring to her home.

“Joy,” she said.