Melia Hus is one of the earliest First Baby title winners in many years.

The second child born to Megan and Jeremy Hus of Newtown, Melia was born just 18 minutes into the new year, easily claiming her honorary title.

Melia weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces and was 20.5 inches long at the time of her birth at Bridgeport Hospital last Saturday morning. She joined an older brother, Grayson.

Melia’s name was selected long before her birth. Years ago, according to Megan and Jeremy, the couple traveled to Spain and stayed at The Grand Melia Hotel.

“We thought the name then was beautiful,” Megan said.

When they went to, and then became engaged while in Hawaii, the couple again encountered the name Melia repeatedly, they said.

“I looked it up, because we kept seeing it in Hawaii,” said Megan, “and we learned that the name there means ‘calm water.’”

Cradling the newborn in his arms and walking in the background, Jeremy said before he and Megan “were even married we knew we wanted to name our daughter Melia.”

His wife laughed in agreement.

“It was on the list. We were really hoping to have a daughter at some time,” she said.

Melia’s birth went a little smoother than Grayson’s.

“It was actually good,” Jeremy said. “Grayson was a little tougher with his delivery.”

“Things were calmer,” Megan added. “We had a much better experience, and we were able to return home the next day.”

Melia’s maternal great-grandparents are Joan Jacob, a former longtime Newtown resident who now lives in Florida; and Kristen and Charles Tredennick of Redding. Her maternal grandparents are Kathleen and Robert Tredennick of Newtown.

Her paternal grandmother is Sandra Lessner of Branford.

The newborn and her big brother also have an aunt, uncle, and cousin who live in Newtown; and additional aunts, uncles, and cousins in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.

“We appreciate being in Newtown because we have family locally, and it’s a family focused town,” Megan said.

While she never met him, Melia has a special bond with her late paternal grandfather, John Hus.

“I found out I was pregnant on what would have been her paternal grandfather’s birthday,” Megan said. “He had passed away a few months earlier, so it was a super miracle moment. We thought ‘Oh my gosh, he’s still with us.’”

The Prize Package

The Huses heard from multiple family members and friends after Melia’s birth, suggesting they contact The Newtown Bee to have their daughter considered for the First Baby title.

“So many people sent links to us,” Megan said. “Tons of people,” she added, then admitting she was unaware of the event until just recently.

“I grew up in Newtown and somehow I never heard of it, but everyone else that I knew was sending us links right away, telling us we had to apply for this. Probably 40 people sent me a link.”

As has happened for more than 60 years, local merchants have donated prizes to be awarded to the family of the First Baby of Newtown.

This year’s package includes $100 off trash service or $100 off a dumpster rental from Associated Refuse; a $30 gift certificate from Barnwood Grill; a $50 gift card from BD Provisions; dinner for two at Blue Colony Diner; a pair of tickets to the ETH concert of their choice from Edmond Town Hall Theatre; and a $25 gift certificate from Hero For Men Barbering.

There’s also a large cheese pizza from Franco’s Pizza & Pasta; a $25 gift card from Fusion 25 Hibachi Fushion Sushi Lounge; a one-hour personal training session for mom at Joanne’s Fitness Studio; a large cheese pizza from Lions Bleeker Street Pizza; and a $50 gift card from My Place Pizza & Restaurant.

In addition, the package contains a $100 gift card from Newtown Hardware; a gift from Newtown Savings Bank; a $25 gift certificate from Nick’s Catering; a large cheese pizza from Papa Al’s Pizza-Pasta-Subs; a $50 gift certificate from Ricci’s Salon; and a $100 gift card from Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro.

A $25 gift certificate from Stony Hill Hardware; a one-year subscription or extension to The Newtown Bee; a $50 gift card from Tambascio’s Italian Grill; a $50 gift certificate from UK Gourmet; a large pizza with one topping from The Villa Restaurant; and a gift bottle of Roeder Estate Brut Champagne from Yankee Wine & Spirits round out the gifts from local business owners.

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Associate Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.