The first baby of the New Year has been born at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.
Thomas Riley Shelly arrived at 11:53 Sunday morning, weighing 8 pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long. Thomas’ proud parents are Melissa Paterson and David Shelly of Mulberry Grove.
Thomas’ first name is in honor of his grandfather, and his middle name, Riley, is in honor of his uncle. He also has three older siblings, Peyton, Courtney, and Cooper.
In celebration of being the first baby born in 2023 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Thomas and his family were presented with a gift of baby items from St. Joseph’s Women and Infants Center and the St. Joseph’s Hospital auxiliary. The gift included a handmade baby quilt, a travel bag, a decorative statue, a crib cross, and a stuffed elephant.
