2024 started similarly to 2023 in at least two ways—Oneida County’s first baby of the year was a girl, and was born on January 2.  Lainey Jo McClellan was born to parents Jeremy and Kelli McClellan of Malad, taking over for Cedar Hill, born to Aubrie and Chris Hill.  According to her parents, Cedar has grown a lot over the year, and is doing well.  Lainey has a whole year to look forward to, and her parents are excited about seeing her fit into their family.

Lainey Jo McClellan

Lainey Jo was born early, at 35 weeks, just in time for the new year.  Despite her early appearance, her family reports that she is healthy and doing well, and should be home from the NICU very soon.  Her father Jeremy reports, “Our nurses and doctors have been amazing and very supportive. It’s hard not getting to have Lainey with us at home already like we were lucky enough to do with our older 3 when each of them were born but we do expect within the next couple days as she gets a little stronger and consistent with eating that she can come home.”

While the wait has been hard, Lainey has had a chance to meet the family and show herself off.  “They have all been very excited, Emmett in particular is excited to get her home and is a very protective big brother. Strat, thinks she’s ‘the cutest baby in the world’ and Laikyn just gives the biggest smiles seeing pictures of her baby sister,” her family reported.

Lainey is working with the NICU to improve her eating, but Jeremy reports that she has been making big steps, and should be ready to come home any time now.  She has been meeting her milestones on track, and surprising the nurses and doctors with her toughness.

The family reports that having such an early New Year’s baby was definitely not part of the plan.  “We were enjoying a laid back New Year’s Day all at home from work when Kelli felt her water break and heard a splash.  We quickly gathered bags with necessities knowing we needed to get to Logan.  (Grandmother) Marla came over to be with our older kids and we headed to the hospital,” Jeremy stated.

The family acknowledges that having an early baby and becoming a family of six earlier than expected has been a bit overwhelming, but the anxiety has been reduced by a “great support system of family and friends helping us,” and the family is excited for the future.

Dad Jeremy grew up in Malad, and works at Nucor in sales.  Mother Kelli grew up in Tremonton and works as a nurse at the Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital.  They love spending time outdoors with their kids at the family ranch and farm, and chasing the kids around to sporting events.  

Going forward, Jeremy says, “we just hope that she continue to stay healthy and we know she will fit right into her family. She’s evened the girl to boy ratio 2:2 and with being very close in age to Laikyn we expect them to grow up together and be very close.”

Cedar Hill

Cedar’s mother Aubrie reports that the past year “has flown by and we have loved every minute of it”.  At just three months, Cedar went on her first horn hunting trip with her mom and dad.  She’s been busy outdoors over most of the year—kayaking at Daniels and floating in her tube at Devils Creek.  She also loved mowing the lawn with her dad, and riding on the back of her mom’s bike or her pink car during the summer, which happened to coincide with her learning to crawl at 7 months, and walk at 10 months.  

Cedar’s active and energetic personality works very well for her parents, who explain that “she’s made the first time parenting gig as easy as it could be.  We’ve loved having her be our third wheel.”  

According to her parents, Cedar has fit right into their little family.  Their motto is “If Cedar can’t come, we aren’t going!”  Cedar loves spending time with her older cousins and has decided that she is a “big kid” too.  She has been learning skills quickly.  She loves animals (especially her dog Ella), and staying busy, though she also loves “chilling on the couch” with her dad.

Having grown her first tooth at the end of last year, Cedar is swiftly moving forward into her second year, and her parents are anxiously awaiting her first words.