Easton first baby of 2015 at Aspirus Grand View

HURLEY - Twelve days into the new year, Monica and Justin Colassaco, of Hurley, welcomed a son, Easton Thomas, the first baby born in 2015 at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood.

"It was surprising," Monica said of Easton being the first of 2015. "I was thinking on Jan. 12, there had to a couple born by then."

Easton was born at 5:13 p.m., more than 25 hours after mom arrived at the hospital.

"Everything went really well," Monica said of her pregnancy. "We had Dr. (Tarek) Khalife throughout, and I can't say enough about him."

According to Monica, the birth unit at Aspirus Grand View was fairly empty during Easton's birth, making them the only family there.

"It was a great experience, and they took really good care of us," Monica said. "The family was very comfortable, and it was a nice, good experience."

Big sister Tori, 16, and brother Ryder, 10, are excited to have a new baby brother.

"They are excited because they have been waiting a long time for him," Monica said.

Easton's maternal grandparents are Jacqueline Schellinger and Thomas McCarter, both of Milwaukee, and his paternal grandparents are Kenny and Char Colassaco, of Hurley.

"It's so nice to have him here," Monica said. "Everything has been going really good."