Sandy Hook Baby First Baby Of The Year In Newtown

By Nancy K. Crevier

Not the third time, but the fourth time, was the charm for Stacey and Scott Lavelle of Sandy Hook. Ava Sophia Lavelle, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and 19¾ inches in length, was born at Danbury Hospital, January 2, at 4:09 am, making her The Newtown Bee First Baby of the Year — but the fourth baby for the Lavelle family. She joins siblings Jack, age 8, Jenna, age 6, and Brady, 16 months.

Ava is also welcomed into the family by her paternal grandparents Bill and Anne Lavelle of Danbury and maternal grandparents Sandy and Lyndon Holmes of North Andover, Mass. Two great-grandmothers, Lena Lavelle of Brookfield and Dorothy Bellino of Danverse, Mass., also are pleased to hear of Ava’s arrival.

“She was due on January 8, so even though I had seen the notice for the contest the week before, I hadn’t really thought about winning it,” said Mrs Lavelle. But when Ava made known her decision to arrive early, Mr Lavelle remembered that a friend of his parents’ had just received the honor of being Danbury First Baby of the Year, and wondered if they should enter The Bee contest. On Tuesday morning, January 8, Mrs Lavelle called The Bee, not really expecting to be the first to call in. “We were surprised when we were the winners,” said Mrs Lavelle.

Not only has Ava made the start to the New Year a joyous occasion for the Lavelle family, but her timely arrival also brings with a slew of gifts from generous Newtown merchants.

From Stop & Save, the Lavelles will receive a bottle of champagne to celebrate Ava’s birth. When things settle down and they can get a babysitter, they will be able to enjoy a sampling of meals from all around town: dinner for two, compliments of the Blue Colony Diner; a large cheese pizza from Newtown Pizza Palace; a free lunch at Newtown Deli & Catering; breakfast for two at My Place; dinner for two at 100 Church Hill; or lunch for two at The Villa Restaurant.  Tambascio’s on Route 302 has provided a $50 gift certificate to the Lavelles, and offers take-out service, as well, a handy thing for a family of six.

From Newtown Hardware the Lavelles receive a $50 gift certificate, and from Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, they will receive a $25 gift certificate. The Drug Center Pharmacy celebrates Ava’s arrival with a $25 gift certificate for her parents.

With four young children, the Lavelles will appreciate the gift certificate donated by The Magic Garden children’s clothing store, as well as the gift basket and gift certificate from The Dressing Room.

Other prizes include a $20 gift certificate from Down On Main Street, a free oil change, filter, and lubrication for the car from Newtown Car Care Center, an oil change from Newtown Exxon, something snuggly from Little Merry Fellows, ten free movie passes to Edmond Town Hall Theater, a free cleaning and preservation of baby’s christening outfit from Queen Street Cleaners, free cuts to mom and dad from Robert Anthony’s Salon, a $25 savings account to start baby off on the right financial foot.

And when mom or dad is ready for some pampering, Avance Esthetiques has donated a European facial and Newtown Nail Spa has donated a free pedicure.

Of course, what Newtown Bee First Baby of the Year Contest would be complete without a one-year subscription to The Newtown Bee?

With the yearly family February vacation on hold this year, the Lavelles look forward to taking advantage of the prizes and enjoying some “minivacations” of dinners out while Mr Lavelle’s parents watch the children. “Scott and I are planning to take a long weekend together in Florida in April,” said Mrs Lavelle. “I haven’t been out for a week at this point, so that seems kind of far off. It’s hard to get out of the house with everyone, and I’m going to have to get used to being late for everything again.”

Being late and the chaos that goes with adjusting to a new family member are small prices to pay for a precious gift like Ava, though, the whole family agrees.

Welcome to the world of Newtown, Ava, and congratulations to your family from The Newtown Bee and the merchants of Newtown.