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Jasmin Whitley becomes first baby of the year

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Jasmin Lynn Roberson Whitley is the first baby born at Dyersburg Regional Medical Center in 2009.

She arrived at 2:28 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, after putting her mother through a long and exhausting labor.

Keri Whitley of Friendship said she began labor contractions on New Year's Eve. By 10:30 a.m. on New Year's Day, she was ready to go to the hospital.

Whitley was one of five women who thought they might give birth on the first day of the new year. One by one, the women were sent home and only Whitley remained.

When little Jasmin's heart began slowing, Dr. Williams Fitts encouraged Keri Whitley to push. With three strong pushes, Jasmin entered the world.

She weighed 9 pounds and was 20 inches long.

As the hospital's first baby of the year, Jasmin received a Sweet Peace swing that has multiple settings to rock the baby as if it were in its mother's arms. The swing's sound system can recreate sounds from the womb, play its own pre-recorded music or access tunes on an iPod. She also received a silver spoon, a diaper bag with lotions and disposable diapers, a bath set, a medical supplies kit for babies, Shaklee non-toxic household cleaner and five cases of Enfamil baby formula.

The gifts were donated by the hospital, Chief Nursing Officer Sallie Adkins, Chief Financial Officer Terri Warren, the Obstetrics Department Flower Fund, Enfamil, Doris Davis of Shaklee Products and other anonymous donors.

"I was kind of surprised" to have the first baby of the year, Keri Whitley said. She was beginning to wonder whether Jasmin would ever be born. "I said, 'I ain't going to have her. She isn't going to come.'"

Whitley definitely needed the gifts, said her mother, Tammy Whitley of Friendship. "She didn't have anything for a girl," she said. Jasmin has a 2-year-old brother, Nathaniel Lynndon Roberson Whitley.

In fact, Keri Whitley hadn't even acquired a car seat or a crib by the time she went to the hospital. Tammy Whitley said the Sweet Peace swing can be used as a car seat and she planned to stop and buy a baby bed on the way home Friday.

In addition to awarding the first baby born this year, the hospital donated a DVD video camera and a flat screen color video monitoring system to Life Choices. The pregnancy support center planned to use the camera and monitoring system as incentives to encourage education and increase attendance. The items will be awarded in a drawing among members of the Life Choices parenting and abstinence classes or given to the participants with the best attendance records.

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I don't think I can rejoice in the birth of a young child to a mother who already has a 2 year old and there is no mention of a father. Perhaps the award should have included birth control so we are not soon paying for and celebrating number three. I think the hospital staff at Dyersburg needs to rethink the first baby of the year awards. Perhaps a savings bond for college would prove to be of better use.

-- Posted by hmmmmm on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 5:47 PM

Tn Mom,you cast the first stone of the year.You should throw the remaining ones you have away.

You are disgusting!!

-- Posted by lloyd49 on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 8:13 PM

Children are worth celebrating whether they have fathers or not.

It also does not mention in the article where WE are paying for these 2 babies so I don't know why you would assume that WE would be paying for number 3.

Congratulations to the Whitleys on their new addition. May God bless her with a long and happy life so she doesn't some day grow up and judge others as harshly as she already has been at less than a week old.

-- Posted by grasshopper46 on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 9:37 PM

Congrats to the new mom and the little one. Some folks just have to say ugly things about others to make themselves feel superior.

God don't make junk or mistakes. People make lots of different kinds of mistakes ,like putting others down or casting stones but God is the only one who can create life, so that little one is supposed to be here. God bless them.

-- Posted by Glenda on Mon, Jan 5, 2009, at 11:40 PM

First of all congratlations on haveing a baby.

Second of all who cares if the father is there are not. Maybe he left her because she was pregnant or she put him on the road, nobody knows and nobody cares. Who said something about baby number 3 anyways. People are so quick to judge on everything especially women haveing baby's and not getting married. The world is so judgemental nowdays. It is 2009 not 1944!!!!

-- Posted by april2010 on Tue, Jan 6, 2009, at 2:25 PM

well, Tn Mom, if you don't want to rejoice in the birth of a beautiful child then you can just stand in the corner and pout while the rest of us rejoice!

-- Posted by justme30 on Tue, Jan 6, 2009, at 3:31 PM

First i want to say congratulations Keri on having baby Jasmin. God Bless her.

The lady that posted the comment that calls herself TN Mom, it's not your business for how people choose to celebrate when they have a kid. And why would you say about paying for any kid when what she got you didnt pay for it and you are just probably jealous of the baby for being the first of the year. Get over it!!! Again congrats Keri...

-- Posted by Unforgettable on Thu, Jan 8, 2009, at 8:55 AM

I guess TN MOM had a puurrfect life and all..perhaps if she had a heart she would understand that when you give, especially to someone in need, you will recieve a blessing. Anyways my oldest son is 9 and his father was killed in a car accident when he was just months old, so unless you know the whold story, you shouldnt be so darn rude. Maybe you should re think your attitude.

-- Posted by disowned&proud on Thu, Jan 8, 2009, at 1:23 PM

Well aren't you just high and mighty, Tn Mom! It is none of your business if there is a dad or not because a life is a life. If you don't personally know the woman, then stay out of it.

-- Posted by jessebear89 on Sat, Jan 10, 2009, at 10:11 PM

This is the perfect example of how someone can take something precious and turn it into something ugly! We don't know the situation and its really none of our business. Someone made the comment "its 2009 not 1944" and it was happening even way back then. It was just more taboo and most of the single mothers were sent away to have the babies or abortions in exile to avoid shame, but what is shameful about creating life? It was Gods will and blessing, so rejoice or shut up!

I am unmarried and have 3 children, but my 8 year relationship with my fiance' has lasted way longer than many marriages. Maybe its because we keep our stones on the paths we walk upon and focus on the changes that need to be made in our lives. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!!!!

-- Posted by whatdoIknow on Sun, Jan 11, 2009, at 3:42 PM

I can understand the feelings expressed by TN Mom. I have seen worse. Did anyone see the Jackson Sun? Their first baby of the year was born to a 27 year old woman and he was her SIXTH child ranging in age from 11 yr old to the newborn. No father in the picture and various fathers for all but 2 of the children. She lived with her grandmother, had no job or even a car. This girl is a saint compared to the Jackson Sun's first baby's mother.

-- Posted by Falcon95 on Mon, Jan 12, 2009, at 1:15 PM

Hello to all, I am not sure that anyone will read this and I really don't care. I know that most on here put their comments and never come back to check on feedback or more news. That's fine too.

Anyway, I am Keri's mother and Jasmin's grandmother.

My response to the comments so far:

Thank you to all the ones that congratulated us. She is a definite blessing to us. We lost her twice before Keri could get her here, the cord was wrapped around her neck. It is the Lord's will that she and my daughter are here with us. He is the deciding factor, not us.

As far as the birth control issue, she was taking birth control.The father left her when she told him, he told her that he was giving his rights away if she didn't abort the baby. His mother agreed, and said very hateful things to Keri,(kind of like the things Tn Mom said). I admire and applaud Keri for taking responsibility of her actions and raising her children, with the help of her family.

As for the gifts from the hospital, we did not ask for anything from anyone. They gave 3 bags of diapers, 4 boxes of formula(which we gave some back because Keri is nursing), the baby swing-that was really awesome, and other necessities for daily care of a baby. These were much needed items, and very appreciated. As for them giving a savings bond for college, that would have been greatly appreciated just as well. They didn't have to give anything, but they chose to. We were very glad to hear that they didn't give as much to the recipient this year because they donated so many things to the Life Choices program. They are wonderful people over there.

Regardless of how a child is brought into this world, they are a blessing.

TN MOM, your name suggests that you are a mother, I pray that you are blessed everyday with your children, or grandchildren. I pray for you.

God Bless.

Tammy M. Whitley

-- Posted by tnclerk36 on Tue, Jan 13, 2009, at 1:18 PM

Ms. Whitley...no need to explain!! It is no ones business!! And you do not have to explain what you all gave back. The point is, it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't a part of God's plan!! Almost 10 years ago, I questioned why I had a child, because the Lord took his father when he was only 8mo old. He was in a car accident in Halls. Still to this day sometimes I wonder...My whole family disowned me.. So to me I lost everything.. All that child needs to know is that he has all of you to love her...forget the father, and forget the community..JUST LOVE THAT BABY..!!

-- Posted by disowned&proud on Tue, Jan 13, 2009, at 1:59 PM

Thank you to all. She is a definite blessing for us.

God Bless.

-- Posted by tnclerk36 on Wed, Jan 14, 2009, at 8:44 AM