It was late afternoon on Thursday when Weirton welcomed its New Year's baby and the city's newest resident.
Dominic Keith Brown came into this world at 4:57 p.m. Thursday, New Year's Day, in the Obstetrics Unit of Weirton Medical Center. At birth he weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.
The parents are Christina (Blair) Brown and Jonathan Brown, both 26. Christina teaches fourth grade at St. Paul School and Jonathan works for Lenders Service Inc. in Moon Township, Pa.
Dr. Kara O'Karma, of Weirton Medical Center's Women's Health Center, delivered Dominic following Christina's nearly 10-hour labor.
"It (the birth experience) was easier the second time," said Christina.
Jonathan added, "Everything went so smoothly. It was a great experience and very exciting to welcome our second child."
The Browns are also the parents of daughter, Isabella, 22 months old.
Christina exclaimed, "Isabella was born on Saint Patrick's Day and Dominic was born on New Year's Day. If we have a third child, we'll have to plan the delivery on a holiday so that they won't feel left out."
"Dominic's arrival was a very nice surprise," said Jonathan.
The Browns chose not to find out the gender of either of their children prior to their births.
"Christina just finished her master's degree and I'm beginning to work on mine. It may be a while before we can have another," Jonathan said.
The grandparents are Mary Ann and Tracey Kinder of Weirton; Brad and Mary Blair of Warwood; and David and Barbara Brown of Eldersville, Pa.
"I am very, very blessed and extremely proud of all of them, and am very thankful," said grandmother Mary Ann Kinder.
(Winkler can be contacted at lwinkler@weirtondailytimes.com)
