First baby of 2015 born two hours into new year

MARSHFIELD — If things could have gone Audra Strasser's way, her new son, Derek John Strasser, would have entered the world on Dec. 12 and enjoyed a birth date of 12/13/14.

But as with many pregnancies, not all goes according to plans. With a due date of Christmas Day, her first child wasn't ready until a full week later, on New Year's Day.

At 2:11 a.m. Jan. 1, Derek was born at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital after his mother had been in labor almost two days, culminating the delivery with four hours of pushing. Weighing 8 pounds 12 ounces and at 21 1/2 inches long, he was the first baby born in 2015 in Wood County.

Audra's husband, Chad, 30, said he had never witnessed anything that emotionally and physically intense. The past few days at the hospital were a whirl of emotion, and he and his wife were exhausted Thursday afternoon.

The family lives in Marshfield. Audra, 26, is a kitchen manager at Festival Foods while Chad is a systems technician for Charter Communications.

"It was just an amazing experience. Her labor was hard and long. But (Derek) made it and he's healthy and we're a family," Chad Strasser said.

When Audra Strasser said she was planning on three more children, Chad's eyes widened and he said, "She's the one who has to do all the work."

Despite an arduous labor, Audra said the gift of a child is precious and she wants to have a large, happy family.

If the enthusiasm and exuberance of family members in Strasser's hospital room during visiting hours was any indication, the young family is off to a solid start.

With the University of Wisconsin Badgers football game playing in the background, other family members took turns holding the new baby while sharing tales about the childhoods of the new parents.

"This is wonderful. The birth of another grand-baby is a great day," said Audra's mother, Jan Simonson of Marshfield.

When asked what aspirations they had for their new baby, Chad said, "I think every parent says health. But if he becomes my little hunting buddy and enjoys sports, that would be pretty nice, too."

Happiness is the greatest wish Audra said she has for her son.

"Whatever he does, I hope he is happy," she said.

Reporter Liz Welter can be reached at 715-384-3131. Find her on Twitter as @welter_liz.