Newtown’s First Baby Of The Year Generated 

New Year’s Eve Party Full Of Surprise

By Nancy K. Crevier

With three weeks to go before their due date, Anna and Gary Lawlor of Sandy Hook decided to host a New Year’s Eve party and ring in the New Year with friends and family. But baby Michael Gary Lawlor, Newtown’s first baby of 2007, had other ideas.

“I had had a cold and I was more tired that day than I had ever felt before,” recalled Anna from her Johnson Drive home, as she snuggled with her first born. “Now I know why. I even made Gary do everything to get ready for the party. But I had no contractions, no idea that [Michael] was on his way,” she said.

The New Year’s Eve celebration came to a screeching halt with guests scurrying for paper towels when Anna’s water broke. “I had to announce that Gary and I would be heading to the hospital. Everyone helped clean up and went home. Gary and I spent midnight at Danbury Hospital and at 7:34 am, January first, weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce, Michael was born. Michael is a wonderful surprise,” said Anna.

The Lawlors have lived in Sandy Hook for three and a half years. Gary is an assistant principal at Bethel High School and Anna is a band instructor at Fairfield-Ludlowe High School in Fairfield. Michael is the first grandchild for Anna’s mother, Mary Zamary of Ridgefield, and the fifth grandchild for Gary’s parents, Flo and Marty Lawlor of Bethel.

Dr Mary Ellen May of Candlewood Practice for Women in Danbury was the attending physician. “It was such a good experience,” said Anna. “The birthing center at Danbury Hospital is very nice. They even have a pullout couch in the room for the dads, so Gary was able to lay down for a bit. The room has a Jacuzzi, too, which was great.” The nurses also left a positive impression on the Lawlors. “One nurse, Nicole Mendelssohn, was taking care of us. Her shift changed just before Michael was born, but she stayed on. Everyone was so nice.”

Despite arriving three weeks early, Michael was a healthy weight and not jaundiced, so Gary and Anna were able to bring him home just two days after his birth. “He lost a little weight at first, but now we can see his cheeks are fuller and he is doing great. He is a joy,” said Michael’s mother.

As winner of The Bee’s First Baby Contest, Michael and his parents will be enjoying a number of gifts donated by local businesses. “We had bought a few things beforehand from The Little Green Barn in the center, so we are looking forward especially to the ‘something snuggly’ from Little Merry Fellows,” said Anna.

Other gifts baby Michael and his proud parents will receive are a bottle of champagne from Stop & Save or Yankee Wine & Liquor; dinner for two at the Blue Colony Diner; a $50 gift certificate from Newtown Hardware; a one-year subscription to The Newtown Bee; a large cheese pizza from Newtown Pizza Palace; ten movie passes to Edmond Town Hall Theatre; a $25 gift certificate from Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor; a $25 gift certificate from The Drug Center Pharmacy; a European facial from Avance Esthetiques; free cleaning and preservation of baby’s christening outfit or first outfit from Queen Street Cleaners; a free pedicure from Newtown Nail Spa; a gift certificate from Magic Garden; lunch for two at The Villa Restaurant & Pizza; free lunch for the parents at Newtown Deli & Catering; dinner for two from 100 Church Hill; a $25 account for the baby at Newtown Savings Bank; a $20 gift certificate at Down On Main Street; a free oil change, filter, and lubrication from Newtown Car Care Center; a Swedish massage and European facial for mom and a Hero Barbering haircut for Dad from Ricci’s; an oil change from Newtown Exxon; breakfast at My Place; a $50 gift certificate to George’s Pizza Restaurant; and a free lunch at Mona Lisa Restaurant.

“We are gratefully appreciative to all of the businesses,” said Anna.