Welcome to 2003 Addie Lynn!

When Cara Hendrickson showed up at Valley Hospital's Family Birthing Center on the afternoon of Dec. 31st, everyone pretty much thought the arrival of the New Year the next day would mean a new baby also. However, Jan. 1 came and went, and … no baby. As a matter of fact, none of the women contending for the honored role of delivering the first Mat-Su baby of the New Year gave birth on Jan. 1. By Jan. 2, though, several babies were vying "neck and neck" for "first place."

Almost exactly 48 hours after coming to the hospital, Cara Hendrickson gave birth to the winner, little Addie Lynn Hendrickson, at 3:30 p.m. After such a long labor, hospital staffers were glad to see the first-time parents come away with "top honors." Addie Lynn weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. The birth was assisted by Dr. Barbara Doty, a family physician at Valley Hospital since 1986.