Holton Community Hospital welcomes first baby of 2015

Holton Community Hospital’s first baby born in 2015 is Harley Raelynn Gates, and she is the daughter of new Holton residents Brandi Lopez, 24, and Shaun Gates, 36.

Harley was born at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, after a scheduled cesarean section by Dr. Vance Lassey. She weighed six pounds, eight ounces and was 21 inches long at birth.

Together, the couple has six sons to help welcome Harley home. This is the couple’s first child together and their first girl.

“I kept telling everyone I thought she was going to be a girl, but no one believed me,” Lopez said.

The name Harley is a nod to the motorcycle brand, as well as a character in the Batman comic series, Lopez said.  The baby’s original due date was Jan. 22.

The couple has lived in Holton for four months after moving from Dallas, Texas. Gates works for Aeschliman Construction, and Lopez is a stay-at-home mom.

“We were ready for a change, and God brought us to Holton,” Gates said.

The couple said they love the small-town feel of the community, as well as the personal care they’ve received at the hospital.

“The delivery was super easy, and the staff here has been amazing,” Lopez said. “Everyone has been really great. There’s more of a homey feel here compared to the fast-paced hospitals where I’ve delivered in the past.”

While prepping for surgery, the couple was informed that their daughter was going to be the hospital’s first baby of 2015.

“I thought they were joking because it was January 15,” Gates said.

The couple said they are happy for a healthy baby and their new home.

“We want to thank the Holton First Baptist Church congregation and the city of Holton. This is the most welcoming city that we’ve ever met,” Gate said. “We’ve never had people help us as much as we’ve had here.”

The couple received some gifts from the hospital in honor of their new arrival.