Kendra Lewis and Scott Beardsley rang in the new year in likely the best way imaginable — by celebrating the birth of their son.

Easton Scott Beardsley was ushered into the world at 6:23 a.m. on Jan. 1, making him the first baby of 2008 to be delivered in the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hopsital Family
Birth Center.

At 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches, Easton is Scott’s first child and Kendra’s third.
“This is the best thing that ever happened to me,” Scott said.

Scott said he wasn’t surprised by his son claiming the First Baby 2008 title.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “I called it months ago.”

The couple had a doctor’s appointment Monday afternoon and Scott said he had a sneaking suspicion they wouldn’t be going home following the appointment.

“We went to the doctor and the doctor said ‘you’re going over to the hospital,’” he said.
The delivery itself was quick, Scott and Kendra said.

“It was very fast. Less than two hours,” Scott said. “I’ve been very, very impressed with
this unit.”

The SBA Family Birth Center’s first baby born in 2008 starts off an anticipated busy year, following the busiest year (in terms of deliveries) since 1971. In 2007, there were
335 babies born at the SBA Family Birth Center, the most born at SBA since the 323
births recorded in 1971.

“2007 was a busy year, and one our staff feels very good about,” said Joy Cushman,
Director of the SBA Family Birth Center. “Our nurses and physicians who helped our new moms deliver, and brought new families together have one of the best jobs in the world, and we had the opportunity to do that many times in 2007.”

As parents of the First Baby of the Year, Kendra and Scott are about to be showered with a host of gifts and prized courtesty of local businesses, including The El Dorado Times and The Shopper’s Guide.

Gifts were donated by Walnut River Residences, Dillons, Tender Care Pediatrics, Butler Home Improvement, Freddy’s Frozen Custard, JKL Liquor and Priced Right
Smoke Shop, Wal-Mart, Vintage Place, HR Solutions, Golden Living Center, Bella
Casa Italian Restaurant, Bluestem Community Credit Union, Heads-N-Toes, Prewit
Septic Tank & Backhoe Service, and Art of Life Chiropractic.