PORT TOWNSEND — Dinosaurs and cartoon monsters await Mason Matthew McConaghy in a nursery that was finished just before he was born.
The baby boy, who was welcomed six days early at 1:23 p.m. on New Year’s Day, became the first baby in East Jefferson County in the new decade.
His parents, Karma Hos, 19, and Casey McConaghy, 28, of Cape George finally got a little time to relax Friday afternoon while they were in the family birth center at Jefferson Healthcare hospital.
“I never thought it would be like this,” Casey said as he beamed at his son. “It’s life-changing.”
Four hours
Mason was born quickly after just four hours of labor, Karma said. He weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 18 1/2 inches long.
Family members flooded their room on Thursday as Casey and Karma were learning about their new routine as first-time parents.
“Our lives have changed drastically,” Karma said. “It’s completely different. When I look at him, even if I’m just coming out of the bathroom, I just want to make sure he’s OK.”
Karma said one of her friends joked on New Year’s Eve that she was going to have the first baby of the year, but she disregarded the comment because her due date was Jan. 7.
When she woke up Wednesday, she had contractions that were close together. That’s when Casey drove her to the hospital, just to make sure all was well.
“We were both not expecting to stay at the hospital when we got here,” Karma said.
“One of the doctors looked at her and said, ‘She ain’t going nowhere; she’s in labor,’ ” Casey said.
Karma started to cry.
“I was super excited and definitely ready to meet him,” she said.
Soon afterward, the feedings began every two hours. Diapers have been changed, and sleep occurs briefly when the lights are out.
But the new parents aren’t complaining.
“He hardly ever cries,” Karma said, “only when he’s hungry.”
Casey said nurses have taught him how to swaddle his son in blankets so he feels secure enough to go to sleep.
Karma has been learning how to breastfeed her son, and they’ve taken turns with who gets to rest.
Casey had just finished painting the nursery and showed off several onesies that featured dinosaurs — gifts from the baby shower they held Dec. 7, one day before Casey’s birthday.
Casey said Mason’s name is special because of the alliteration. He wanted his son’s first, middle and last names all to begin with the letter “M.”
While Karma’s family lives in Jefferson County, either Port Townsend or Marrowstone Island, Casey said his sister, Marissa, delivered a baby boy on Jan. 2 at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton.
Mason only had to wait a day before he had a brand new cousin, Dakotah.
As a tuft of dark hair sat on the top of her son’s head, Karma talked about how doctor’s said he had perfect skin.
“I feel like he’s going to be a really easy baby,” she said.
“I have a perfect baby boy now.”
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Jefferson County Managing Editor Brian McLean can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 6, or at bmclean@peninsuladailynews.com.
