New life ushers in the new year

New Year’s Day brought a new family member and a sense of relief to Jared and Christina Matheson.

ADAM ASHTON; Staff writer

Published: 01/02/12 12:05 am | Updated: 01/02/12 2:53 am

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New Year’s Day brought a new family member and a sense of relief to Jared and Christina Matheson.

The Spanaway couple had spent the previous three days preparing to induce Christina into an early labor at Tacoma General Hospital because she had developed a medical condition marked by high blood pressure called preeclampsia.

Her care culminated with a cesarean section delivery late Saturday to bring their first child, Kendra, into the world at a healthy 4 pounds, 3 ounces. Her arrival at 1:07 a.m. Sunday made her the first Pierce County baby born in 2012.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Jared, 40. “It’s like I’m walking on Cloud 9. I’m tired. I’m exhausted, but I have all the energy I need.”

Christina, 35, was likewise relieved and excited Sunday. “I’ve been up and walking the halls and holding the baby, and enjoying every minute,” she said.

Christina likely will spend the next few days at Tacoma General, and Kendra could be there for several weeks.

“It was a relief to have the baby delivered and have Kendra healthy and happy,” Jared said.

Pierce County’s next baby of the new year arrived at 1:35 a.m. at Madigan Army Medical Center, where Army Sgt. Da’Kari Releford and his wife, Trinity, welcomed their second son.

They named him Triston Deshaun, playing off his mother’s name, and he weighed in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces. Triston arrived mostly on time. He was due just a few days from now.

“It was exciting to bring in the new year – just a blessing to have a new addition to the house,” Releford, 24, said.

The first baby at Franciscan Health System’s St. Joseph Medical Center arrived at 5:24 a.m. Aryeh Rashid weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces. He is the son of Hakeem Rashid and Charlesetta Williams of Tacoma.

Adam Ashton: 253-597-8646 adam.ashton@thenewstribune.com

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