Proud parents J.J. Spears and Candice Wyatt of Fort Scott welcomed Aliziegh Marie Spears into the world on Jan. 2. Aliziegh is the first baby born in Fort Scott in 2007. Jason E. Silvers/Herald-Tribune [Click to enlarge]

Herald- Tribune

Fort Scott, Kan. -- For J.J. Spears and Candice Wyatt of Fort Scott, the new year started off with the arrival of an 8-pound bundle of joy; the first baby born in Fort Scott in 2007.

Aliziegh Marie Spears was born shortly after 8 a.m. on Jan. 2 at Mercy Health Center in Fort Scott. With her birth came congratulations, gifts, and plenty of unexpected attention, especially when, as expectant parents, they unsure whether or not their baby would be the first infant born in the new year.

Wyatt, a 17-year old first time mother and Fort Scott High School student who has lived most of her life in Fort Scott, said she and Spears received gifts from Mercy Health Center, as well as numerous other gifts, congratulations and well-wishes from several friends and family members.

"Mercy gave us an animal blanket and a $20 certificate to the (Mercy) gift shop," she said.

The steady stream of people coming in to see the baby during her hospital stay, and all of the attention the new parents and child have received during the past week has been a unique, experience, for two young parents who were not anticipating such a situation, Wyatt said.

"With everybody calling and congratulating us -- it's been weird," she said.

(Advertisement)

Spears, a 20-year-old long-time Fort Scott resident and first-time father who currently works at Peerless Products in Fort Scott, said he welcomed the attention and his new baby daughter with open arms.

"I feel proud, you know, excited and happy -- I wouldn't change it (the experience) for the world," he said.

He looks forward to the challenges that fatherhood will undoubtedly bring, now that both he, the mother and the baby have returned home, and the dust has settled from one of the most joyous, and often stressful, times of their young lives, Spears said.

"It's a change, but yeah, it's been overwhelming," he said.

Other than the $20 gift certificate to Mercy Market Place, the new parents also received other gifts, including a $10 gift certificate to Marsha's Great Plains Deli, a $25 gift certificate from Gene's IGA supermarket, a $20 gift certificate to Papa Don's Restaurant, a complimentary baby memory book from Designer's Florist by Sekan, and a $20 gift certificate from Bowman's Nu Grille Restaurant.

Aliziegh Marie Spears weighed 8 pounds, 2.75 ounces at birth. Paternal grandparents are Johnny and Kathy Spears, Fort Scott. Maternal grandparents are David and Jeanine Wyatt, Fort Scott.