Five babies were welcomed into Jackson County on New Year’s Day.

The second of those babies was Asher Menkedick, who arrived a little earlier than expected.

“Jan. 10 was his due date,” 29-year-old Keith Menkedick said of his newborn son.

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The parents of the

first baby born declined to be interviewed.

On Friday morning, Asher lay swaddled in a blanket covered with giraffes, elephants and turtles, sleeping quietly at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

At 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 21 inches long, Asher entered the world at 10:51 a.m. Thursday, following more than five hours of labor.

His mom, Brittany Menkedick, 27, said they arrived at the hospital at 1 a.m. Thursday, returned home for a few hours and then went back to the hospital.

“We decided it was probably best to come back, since I was still having contractions,” she said. “Things progressed, and he was here by 10:51 a.m. It was quick.”

Brittany, a stay-at-home mom, and Keith, an engineer at Cummins Inc. in Seymour, moved to Jackson County a few years ago to be closer to his job.

The couple, married since 2012, said the baby’s gender was a surprise up until his birth.

“When he was born, I had the option to tell her,” Keith Menkedick said.

“But I already knew,” his wife chimed in, “because when he picked him up, I was like, ‘Oh, it’s a boy!’”

Asher is the couple’s second child. Logan Menkedick is 17 months old and was born several days early on a Thursday — also on the first of the month: Aug. 1, 2013.

“The coincidence is just weird,” Brittany Menkedick said of her sons’ births.

The couple said they also opted not to find out Logan’s gender until he was born.

“It’s really hard for me to wait. I really want to find out,” Brittany Menkedick said. “Keith likes the surprise, so I’m like OK.”

Since they want to have more children, it’s easier to leave the baby’s gender a mystery, Keith Menkedick added. That way, friends and family don’t buy gender-specific baby gifts, and they can use items more than once.

“The car seat and all that stuff is gender-neutral,” he said.

The couple said their sons most likely will have a few more siblings in the future.

“We want multiple — like four or more,” Brittany Menkedick said with a smile.

Possibly a girl next time?

It doesn’t matter to them.

“Just as long as they are healthy,” she said.

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Who: Asher Menkedick, one of the first babies of the year born in Jackson County

Born: 10:51 a.m. Thursday

Vital statistics: 7 pounds, 5 ounces; 21 inches long

Parents: Brittany and Keith Menkedick of Seymour

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