RIVERTON — Little Oakley Lyons made his debut as Salt Lake County's New Year's baby shortly before 1 a.m. Friday at Riverton Hospital, right on schedule.
Oakley, the first child of parents of Greg and Courtney Lyons, of Stansbury Park, was born on his estimated due date.
"He just did what he was supposed to," Courtney Lyons said.
Oakley, born at 12:49 a.m., weighed in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 inches long.
The couple went to the hospital Thursday afternoon but were told the birth was not imminent but to return when Courtney Lyons' contractions were stronger.
They spent time in Salt Lake and then decided to drive home to Tooele County when Courtney Lyons' water broke one block from their house. Greg Lyons turned the car around and headed back to Riverton.
"During her biggest contractions, I thought he was going to be born in car," Greg Lyons said.
"I was screaming," Courtney Lyons added. "I opted for an epidural pretty fast."
The couple thought there was a chance their son could be the New Year's baby when Courtney Lyons started to push around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Oakely was born more than hour later.
— Marjorie Cortez