Early New Year’s baby a hard-fought ‘miracle’
Published: January 4, 2005
Joy, the middle name of Bloomington-Normal’s first baby of 2005, aptly describes the feelings her parents have about their “miracle baby.”
Bob and Shelli Opsal of Normal, both 36 and first-time parents, have been married for six years and have tried fertility treatments for the last three years.
“This is our miracle baby,” said Bob Opsal.
The early arrival of Karyss Joy Opsal was such a surprise that relatives from Champaign and Princeton, and Shelli’s mother from Atlanta, Ga., were not with them to welcome her into the world. A baby shower had been planned for next weekend.
The new dad said his daughter, who arrived at 33 weeks, is doing well, weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces and is 18 inches long.
In-vitro fertilization helped make the miracle possible, said Opsal, an employee of State Farm Insurance Cos. “It’s our third try and we weren’t sure if it would work,” he said.
Opsal said he and his wife had decided that this would be the last try if it wasn’t successful because the experience was difficult, with so many disappointments.
He said they are very happy now and would like more children, but it is too soon to think about that now.
“It hasn’t been easy,” he said.
Shelli Opsal, who works at Electrolux Home Care Products, had been confined to bed rest for more than three months.
“This is the sixth time we’ve been to the hospital,” said Opsal as his wife was recovering from an emergency C-section Saturday. He said some of the nurses, including Heidi Atnschel, had been there for nearly all of the trips the couple made to the hospital, and he was happy she was at the birth.
“We know everybody here,” he said. If there had been complications, the new baby would have been delivered at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Everyone at the hospital had been so friendly and helpful, he said.
“Dad had the baby in his arms right away,” said registered nurse Kelly Barron. “Our goal is to let her hold her baby today,” the nurse said.
“She’s the only patient in our department,” said Barron. “The others went home this morning and she’s going to get our undivided attention,” the nurse said.
The baby receives a holiday hat from the hospital and her parents — like all new parents — can choose a steak or lobster dinner to celebrate the birth, Barron said.
BroMenn baby
Meanwhile, Natalie Morgan Eves was apparently so anxious to meet her parents she arrived 18 days ahead of her due date at 5:13 p.m. New Year’s Day at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.
She is the first child of Pablo and Virginia “Ginny” Eves, ages 32 and 31, Bloomington. Natalie weighed in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces and is 19 1/2 inches long.
“We’re just very happy. We’re tired,” said Pablo Eves, who was marveling at “the phenomenon and wonder of life” Saturday evening.
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