Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 2, 1994 TAG: 9401020097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
The first baby of the new year was Kiah Xavier Griffin, born at Community Hospital at 2:54 a.m. to April Griffin.
Griffin, 20, said she named her new son for her late father.
The baby weighed 7 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces.
As Kiah nestled quietly in her arms on New Year's morning, Griffin said her ambition for him is that he will go to college.
Her mother, Sharon T. Griffin, will care for Kiah and his 2-year-old sister, Keyera, while Griffin works and attends classes at ECPI Computer Institute.
Griffin, who lives at 414 Chapman St. in Salem, formerly worked for Hills and would like to return there when Kiah is old enough.
As young as she is, Griffin said she is calling Keyera and Kiah a family. "This is my last one," she said.
She started labor at 8 a.m. on New Year's Eve, but did not go to Community until 10 p.m. when she knew the birth was near. She is scheduled to go home with Kiah today.
Griffin said she did not think she would have the new year's first baby because another woman was in labor at the same time.
Jesse Wayne Blankenship entered the world at Community Hospital at 3:11 a.m., only 17 minutes after Kiah. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 1/2 ounces.
Jesse is the son of Althea and Tim Blankenship. Their older son, Matthew, was with them at the hospital.
Lewis-Gale Hospital's New Year baby was Matthew Daniel Bouldin, born at 8:43 a.m. He is the son of Rose and Timothy Bouldin.
by CNB