Baby Harlow is MercyOne Newton’s first baby of 2021

When Jenna Lawson was having contractions on New Year’s Eve, she thought it would be cool if she had either the last baby of 2020 or the first baby of 2021. When she checked into the hospital Jan. 5, she had no idea she would still have Newton’s first baby of the year.

Lawson welcomed her fifth child, Harlow Layne Hope Villalobos into the world at 9:59 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Even though this was not her first baby, the delivery was quite different than her other children.

“She was breech and she came so fast I wasn’t able to get an epidural or any medications, so she was born completely natural. I was in labor maybe four hours,” Lawson said.

Baby Harlow was delivered by Dr. Darryl Johnson, and she weighed 7 pounds 3.2 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long. She joins big brother Carson, 10, and big sisters Stella, 7, Paisley, 3 and Amberley, 18 months.

Lawson said she has always wanted a big family but didn’t see herself with four daughters, not that she would change it. Her other kids are welcoming the final addition to the family to their Grinnell home. Three-year-old Paisley has quickly slipped into the protective big sister role.

“Paisley is a big helper, very protective of her and always worries when she cries. It’s cute to see,” Lawson said.

At a week old, Harlow has settled in nicely with the clan, doing what most babies her age do — sleep.

“We think she’s pretty cool, really easy going. Doesn’t really give us any trouble,” Lawson said. “She’s definitely the opposite of all my other children.”

With so many struggles in 2020, Lawson said welcoming the new baby at the beginning of 2021 gives her something special to focus on this year.

“I’m just blessed to have her and excited to see what the new year brings,” she said.

Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com