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E-mail This StoryIt was an ironic coincidence for Shannon and David Coon when their baby boy was pushed into the world three weeks early.
Now, the Coons are ecstatic that their five-pound, 12.5 ounce baby was Plano’s first baby of 2009. He was born at 8:18 a.m. at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
“This was a huge surprise,” said Shannon Coon, as she smiled at the family’s new addition. “I think having the first baby is great. He’s our Christmas and New year’s present packaged all together.”
Not only was the Coon’s baby the first baby born in Plano, but the only baby born all day at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.
“This is not a typical thing,” said Donna Hansard, THPHP’s spokeswoman. “We average 280-300 deliveries a month.”
Mr. Coons said his baby boy was determined to come to this world on New Year’s Day.
“When Shannon woke me up and said it was time, I glanced at my watch and it was midnight on the dot,” he said.
The Coon’s son’s early arrival left the first-time parents stumped as to what to name him. Mrs. Coon said they can’t agree on a name, but have decided on Jensen for his middle name.
“We are torn between four names,” Mrs. Coon said. “We are getting closer and closer to naming him Cameron.”
Mrs. Coon said the feedback from the community has been non-stop. She said Babies R Us sent a gift set and the hospital sent another gift set and some yellow roses.
“The gifts keep coming,” Jensen said. “Even a lot of the hospital staff has come by and congratulated us.”
The Coons are bringing baby “Jensen” home today. He will be nestled in his “Under the Sea”-themed room covered with paintings of octopuses, whales and dolphins.
Mrs. Coons said for the first three days they will have a stay-in nurse to guide them about caring for their new baby.
“We just want to make sure we are doing everything correctly,” Mrs. Coon said. “Being comfortable and confident makes his self-esteem higher.”
Mrs. Coon said she will stay home caring for the baby for the first three months, then reassess whether the family can survive without her returning to work.
“I don’t know if I will want to work or be able to stay home with my little man,” she said. “We will know more after three months.”
The Coons have already decided they want to introduce all types of activities to their son, and allow him to choose which one he like best.
“I don’t know if he’ll be an actor, musician or football player,” Mrs. Coon said. “We will let him decide which one he likes best. We’ll definitely introduce him to every sport because we are both athletic.”
Baby “Jensen” was the first of six babies born in Plano on New Year’s Day. The Medical Center of Plano delivered five babies throughout the day.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
