FAMILY

Mercy's first baby of 2013 was early arrival

Skye Kinkade

Amber Perreira and Kevin Duran of Lake Shastina welcomed a new arrival on Tuesday, Jan. 1. As the first baby to be born at Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta in the new year, they received a gift basket and flowers from the hospital. Little Julianna Ava-Sue was born at exactly 6 p.m. and joins big brothers Alexander, 6, and Zachary, 3.

Amber Perreira and Kevin Duran of Lake Shastina welcomed the arrival of their first daughter on New Year's Day.

Julianna Ava-Sue was born at exactly 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, making her the first baby to be born at Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta in 2013.

Though her due date wasn't until Jan. 17, Amber said Julianna's arrival was no surprise – she'd been in and out of the hospital with false labor for weeks. After going to the hospital at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 23 hours of labor later, there was no better feeling than holding her 7 pound, 6.4 ounce little girl in her arms on the first day of the year.

Julianna joins big brothers Alexander, 6, and Zachary, 3.

Julianna's maternal grandmother is Kimberlee Oliver of Grenada and maternal great-grandparents are Ed and Joy Day of Grenada.

Paternal grandfather is David Duran of Mount Shasta and paternal great-grandparents are Daniel and Josie Duran of Lake Shastina.