Boy born Jan. 2 first baby of 2021 at Longs Peak Hospital

After a difficult 2020, Keri Lawler-Childers and her husband, Matt Childers, welcomed their son, Jack, late Saturday. Despite his birthday falling on Jan. 2, Jack was the first baby welcomed in 2021 at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital. 

Jack was welcomed by his parents at 10:57 p.m. weighing in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. He is the third child for Childers and the first for Lawler-Childers. 

The couple drove from their home in Loveland and checked into the hospital on New Year’s Eve. Lawler-Childers said she was in labor for 57 hours before baby Jack was delivered by cesarean section.

“The Childerses joked that by the time Jack was born, they had already gotten to meet everyone on the staff of the birth unit,” said Kelly Tracer, media relations specialist for UCHealth. 

“They’ve been absolutely wonderful and made us feel completely comfortable. We are super happy that we had the baby here. We came down from Loveland to be here and they made us feel like we made the right decision,” Childers said. 

Jack came earlier than expected for the Childerses; his due date was Jan. 24. However, since his parents spent a lot of time quarantining during the pandemic, “they had everything ready despite Jack’s early arrival,” Tracer said.

Being pregnant during the pandemic was tough and was “quite the adventure,” Lawler-Childers said. “But it all worked out. You just had to be extra careful. 

“In regards to the pandemic, we hope for the ability to get out and make those memories and connect as a family and have the platform and the resources to do that. Looking at it through our hopes and dreams for our son, we hope he is able to contribute to society and to make this world a better place,” she said. 

Because of hospital regulations during the pandemic, Jack’s siblings were not able to visit him in the hospital. 

“They’re excited. We sent them pictures and they have kinda been with us the whole journey. Facetime has helped with the pandemic when we can’t have them here with us. They’re excited to get to meet him in person and not virtually,” Childers said.

Jack’s early arrival was surprising enough but the family also received a red wagon overflowing with a selection of baby goodies from the birth center and the gift shop in honor of his being the first baby born this year at Longs Peak Hospital. Gifts included blankets, bibs, photo frames, baby outfits, lots of stuffies and other keepsakes. The wagon was accompanied by a giant stuffed teddy bear from the multifamily arm of the McWhinney real estate development company, according to Tracer.

“We are so grateful. It was completely unexpected. It totally took us by surprise and humbled us. After going through the pregnancy journey and the birth journey that we went through, it was so incredibly special to be able to be the recipients of such an amazing donation,” Lawler-Childers said.