A pair of Ohio Valley couples will start the new year as newly minted parents, forever remembering New Year’s Day as the day their lives changed.

WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital was the first hospital in the valley to introduce a new bundle of joy. Toby Allen Baker was born at 9:19 a.m. Sunday, delivered by Dr. Peter Bala. Toby, at 6 pounds and 18½ inches, is the first son of Sara Stimpert and Raymond Baker of Clarington.

Later Sunday, Marshall County wasn’t about to let Ohio County have all the fun of bringing a new baby into the world. At WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale, Eliana Conner was worn at 4:43 p.m. Eliana, at 6 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 inches, is the first daughter of Adriane and Darrell Conner.

Darrell Conner said he and Adriane couldn’t be happier to have Eliana in their lives.

photo by: Alan Olson

Toby Allen Baker was born at 9:19 a.m. Sunday morning at Wheeling Hospital, the first child of Sara Stimpert and Raymond Baker.

“We’re feeling blessed. It’s a true blessing from God that we get to raise our baby and show her the love in the world. It’s an awesome thing,” Conner said. “It’s a true blessing that we get to have such a beautiful, healthy girl.”

Darrell and Adriane Conner hold their newborn Eliana, who was born Sunday afternoon at WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital.

Eliana Conner was born Sunday afternoon to Darrell and Adriane Conner at WVU Medicine Reynolds Hospital.