PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — TAMC’s first baby of 2015 was welcomed into the world on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2015, at 8:29 p.m., and Friday the family from Fort Fairfield was showered with gifts from The hospital, as well as local businesses and organizations. Benjamin Thomas Dorsey weighed in at 8 pounds even and measured 19.5 inches long.
Benjamin is the first child born to Brianne Bubar and E.J. Dorsey of Fort Fairfield.
The happy couple was not anticipating having the first baby of the New Year as he was not due for another nine days, but circumstances, including some revelers welcoming 2015, helped usher in the newborn.
“I was awoken at midnight by neighbors who were throwing up some fireworks to celebrate the New Year. It was then I started to feel the first contractions,” said Bubar. “I was surprised. I didn’t expect him to be early, but I guess he wanted us to get the new year started with him.”
In honor of the special delivery, the family was presented with several gifts. Included was a basket full of items for newborns donated by Machias Savings Bank. A blue hand-knit outfit made by a volunteer with the Aroostook Agency on Aging was also presented, as was a hand-made quilt donated by the Crown of Maine Quilters and a basket of books donated by the Washington County-based non-profit organization Maine Books for Maine Kids. A bag of books was also presented through the Raising Readers program.
In addition, a keepsake item and a special baby sleep blanket were presented by the staff in the TAMC Women and Children’s unit. The blanket is designed to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
“We’re very thankful to receive the gifts,” said Bubar. “We’re also very thankful for the wonderful labor and delivery staff here at TAMC who made the experience the best possible. They all did an outstanding job and were most helpful and comforting!”
Benjamin Thomas Dorsey was delivered by TAMC OB/GYN Dr. Joyce Hebert. Assisting in the delivery were Katie Brown, RN, labor and delivery nurse, and Diane Deschesne, RN, nursery nurse.
“It is a wonderful experience being able to help bring in the New Year baby for this great couple. We have an excellent team here at TAMC and this reminds us all why we just love doing what we do. We not only have the pleasure of welcoming new lives into the world, but in many cases we see families get their start and watch them grow,” said Hebert. “We share in the joy of this new addition to our extended family.”
Benjamin’s maternal grandparents are Catherine Bernard and Rick Thompson of Fort Fairfield and Thomas and Roxanne Bubar of Fort Fairfield. Paternal grandparents are David and Nancy Dorsey of Fort Fairfield. He also will be welcomed home by 11-year-old big brother John Dorsey.
Identical gift baskets to the one presented to the family of Benjamin were also donated by Machias Savings Bank to The County’s three other hospitals to present to their first babies born in the New Year. The gift by the bank — with local branches in Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou — is part of a collaborative program to introduce the newest residents of Aroostook County to the community.
