First baby born at Crossing Rivers
Chaise Anderson and Rachel Mezera proudly show off their firstborn, Paisley Grace Anderson, the first baby born at Crossing Rivers Health in 2015—on Monday, Jan. 12, at 10:38 a.m. According to hospital records dating back to 1991, this is the latest in January that the New Year’s baby has been born. (Photos by Correne Martin)
One-day-old Paisley Grace was snuggled up in a cozy, pink blanket for her first photo shoot at Crossing Rivers Health Tuesday.
By Correne Martin
New Year’s baby watch 2015 at Crossing Rivers Health is officially over. A precious newborn girl, Paisley Grace Anderson, ended the wait when she arrived into this world on Monday, Jan. 12, at 10:28 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 1.3 ounces, and measuring 18.8 inches long.
Mom Rachel Mezera and dad Chaise Anderson, who live in Patch Grove, are the new parents. Rachel is a Prairie du Chien High School graduate and Chaise a Wauzeka-Steuben High School graduate. Grandparents are Teresa and Dale Champion, of Prairie du Chien; Randy and Laurel Mezera, of La Crosse; Tammy and Steve Montalto, of Wauzeka; and Kraig Anderson, of Patch Grove.
“She’s been pretty good, either sleeping or feeding,” Rachel said, stroking the baby’s fine dark hair, about 27 hours after meeting her firstborn. “She likes her pacifier.”
Rachel and Chaise welcomed baby Paisley via natural birth after more than 13 hours of labor. She was born four days after her due date. Dr. Sara Mees was her physician.
“The labor started at home around 9 p.m.,” she said. “We got to the hospital around midnight.
“It was a pretty easy delivery—long, but once I had an epidural, that helped a lot. It only took about 45 minutes once everything got going.”
When visited by the Courier Press Tuesday afternoon, the new parents said they had received a lot of visitors already, including all the grandparents.
“It’s exciting. She’s going to be spoiled,” Rachel said, noting that Paisley is the first grandchild for most of the grandparents.
Hardly taking their eyes off their healthy, adorable daughter, both parents praised the nursing staff at Crossing Rivers Health.
“Everyone who helped us has been awesome,” Rachel said.
By Wednesday morning, Jan. 14, the young family was able to leave the hospital for home. Chaise, a leadman for Cleary Buildings, and Rachel, who works at Bluff View Intermediate School in Prairie du Chien as well as Spring Lake Inn, were both anxious and excited to begin pampering their new addition.
“We found out the baby was a girl and we’ve been really hoping the ultrasound was correct. We have a lot of pink at our house already,” Rachel said.
Chaise admitted he hadn’t broken down and purchased any pink camouflage outfits for Paisley just yet, but said with a smile, “I’ll wait until she’s 6 months and then get her a four-wheeler.”
The first baby of 2015 and her family received a package of free gifts from local merchants, including: a one-night stay at the AmericInn, an oil change from Pink’s Automotive, a car wash at Krachey’s BP, a $10 gift certificate toward shoes at Panka Family Shoe Store, a family pizza from Papa Murphy’s, a $25 gift card to Walmart, two foot-long subs from Subway, a bag of baby goodies from Peoples State Bank, a $10 gift certificate from the Hungry House Cafe, an eight-piece bucket of chicken meal from Coaches Family Restaurant, a $5 gift certificate from Stark’s Sport Shop, one month of fitness for the new mom and dad from Suppz Gym, a free dental care package for the new mom from Dental Associates and a one-year subscription to the Courier Press.
