CADILLAC - With the new year comes New Year’s Day babies, and several were born in Northern Michigan on the first day of 2025, including in Traverse City and Cadillac.
In Traverse City, three babies were born on Jan. 1, 2025, and one baby was delivered in Cadillac.
One of the Traverse City babies was born to Dr. Molly Britton, who works at Munson as a psychiatrist, and Dr. William Britton, the head of the emergency department.
The proud papa said the delivery experience was different but in a good way.
“The staff was amazing. They’re just super helpful. We’re very grateful for all the help they gave. They made everything easy. And it was a very calm experience,” said Britton.
Britton said Theodore Blake Britton - or Teddy for short - came right on his due date of the 1st, weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and is 21 inches long.
“The first thing we did was just give him a lot of love. And then we called our family and let everybody know that the baby came. We have a pretty big family on both sides,” said Britton.
The contractions started New Year’s Eve, and Teddy arrived the next day at 10:46 at night, putting an end to months of suspense.
“We didn’t know if it was going to be a boy or girl. We already have one of each. So we wanted to make it a surprise,” said Britton.
The Brittons already have a daughter, Coco, 6, and a son, Billy, 4.
“We all thought it was going to be a girl except my son, who was really hoping for a boy, as sons do. They’re pretty excited. I think they met him this morning for the first time. They’re super gentle, super loving,” said Britton.
Britton said he was both worried and confident about the delivery.
“Being in the emergency department, I tend to see the more the negative outcomes, you know, the scarier situations that occur. But I know pretty much everyone here at Munson, you know, it’s a pretty small community, and I trust the process,” said Britton.
He said his colleagues and his wife did well.
“I like to step back away from the process and not be the doctor to my family. I like to let other doctors and other providers do their job, and they do a great job. Molly was a rock star and it just went perfectly,” said Britton.
The emergency medicine doctor said he’s gained valuable insight.
“It’s important to see the other side and to be a patient sometimes to understand what patients go through and their experiences,” he said.
Britton said they can’t wait to bring their baby home and that New Year’s Day is now even more special.
“Having a birthday on New Year’s Day is pretty exciting in itself. It’s also going to be a pretty big story to tell him that he was on the news before he was 1 day old,” said Britton.
Britton said there’s only one downside.
“Hoping to get it before New Year’s for the tax breaks. But, you know, it’s a really fun time to have a baby,” said Britton.
In Cadillac, Munson Healthcare said Kyleigh Lin Johnson was born not long after the calendar switched over to 2025 - she was born at 12:36 in the morning at Cadillac Hospital, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and is 20 inches in length. Kyleigh came fast, being delivered 11 minutes after arrival to the OB unit.