Kadlec Regional Medical Center welcomed its first baby of the year on Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m. The child is Leah Koester, weighing 6 pouinds, 2 ounces, at a height of 19.5 inches.

Leah was born to Lisa and Robby Koester of Hermiston. She joins a family that includes Jake, 16, and Reigh, 7.

Commenting on the child, her mother said, “She had to make her grand appearance early.”

Meanwhile, the father said they were “starting the year off with a bang.”