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| Photo courtesy of The Aroostook Medical Center New parents Lisa Plourde and Adam Richardson of Caribou welcomed TAMC’s Centennial Baby into the world on the Fourth of July. Aiva Mae Richardson, shown here in her mother’s arms, was the 100th baby born in TAMC’s 100th year. |
PRESQUE ISLE — The 100th baby born in the 100th year of The Aroostook Medical Center shares her birthday with her country. The milestone staff in TAMC’s Women’s and Children’s Unit and OB GYN Midwifery Services had anticipated and planned for since the beginning of the medical center’s centennial year coincidentally happened on the day set aside to celebrate the birth of the nation.
Aiva Mae Richardson, TAMC’s Centennial Baby, was welcomed into the world by her parents, Lisa Plourde and Adam Richardson of Caribou, on the Fourth of July at 10:14 a.m. The “little firecracker” – as they affectionately called her – weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 20-and-a-quarter inches long.
“We didn’t know about it until we came in to the hospital for the delivery,” said Plourde. “Once we arrived, the staff was quite excited that it looked like the 100th baby born in TAMC’s 100th year was about to arrive.”
Plourde and Richardson, who is a native of Saint John, New Brunswick, already had a running bet going about which of their two countries’ birthday Aiva might be born on. With a due date of July 2, Richardson thought she might come a day early in time to celebrate Canada Day, while Plourde’s patriotic push trended toward the Fourth — although admittedly in the final days of her pregnancy she was looking forward to the delivery sooner rather than later.
“We were happy with either Canada Day or the Fourth of July,” said Plourde. “She’s just the most beautiful person I have ever laid eyes on. She is just precious.”
That sentiment was echoed by Aiva’s dad, who has looked forward to this day for quite some time.
“I’m pretty excited! This is our first child,” said Richardson. “I turned 40 this year and always wanted to have a family. I have younger siblings, so taking care of children is something I have experience with. Although, I must say I just changed my first diaper in over 20 years.”
Aiva Mae was delivered by TAMC Certified Nurse Midwife Mary Hamilton and Dr. Joyce Hebert. In honor of the occasion of TAMC’s 100th baby born in the centennial year, staff of the OB GYN and Midwifery Services presented the family with a gift basket including numerous items members of the team made themselves.
“We are just so excited,” said Vickie Belanger, manager of OB GYN and midwifery services. “Our staff came together to create a great gift basket. The team members gave of their time and wonderful talent to create just the perfect gift for this special baby. All of us are just beaming at the birth of our 100th baby in this significant year. The fact that she was born on the Fourth of July is just icing on the cake!”
The special centennial delivery will be followed by a good number more this month. Nearly 30 babies are expected to be born at TAMC in July.
