GREAT FALLS — A new year often brings new joy, and several Montana couples were delighted to welcome new babies into the world on Monday, January 1, 2024.
Born at 1:28 a.m. on Monday, Marigold Woods was delivered at St. Vincent hospital, the first baby born in Billings in 2024. Billings residents Deborah and Jeremiah Woods said that "Goldy" checked in at six pounds, 12 ounces, and joins three siblings. The hospital had a record-breaking 1,847 babies delivered in 2023, an increase from the 1,653 delivered in 2022.
Community Medical Center in Missoula welcomed Clark, born to Plains couple Jessica and Dustin, at 2:20 a.m. on Monday. Clark weighed in at seven pounds, five ounces, and measuring 20 inches.
Beau Hertel was born at Benefis Health System in Great Falls at 6:17 a.m. on Monday, checking in at nine pounds, two ounces. Parents Ellyn and Kelly Hertel of Belt said that Beau will join siblings Charlie, 4, and Josie, 1 1/2. Ellyn said Beau looks just like his siblings at this age and so far is a "chill" baby.
And at St. Peter’s Heath in Helena, Hayley and Justin Kucinski welcomed Maverick on January 2nd. Maverick has five siblings who are excited to meet their new baby brother.
In Gallatin County, the first baby born in the new year at Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center was baby girl Scotland "Scotti" Ryn Schenk.
Scotti was born to Kate and Connor Schenk of Bozeman on January 1, 2024, at 1:17 p.m. She weighed 6 pounds, 8.9 ounces at delivery and was 19.5 inches long.
According to Bozeman Health, Scotti and her parents are doing well.
