QUINCY, ILL. -- The first few hours of the New Year brought a new bundle of joy for expecting parents, Amy Wainman and Chris Reichert of Quincy.

Thomas Ray Reichert was the first baby of 2012 born at Blessing Hospital. He was born at 4:10 a.m., on Sunday, January 1. Thomas weighed six pounds and nine ounces, and was 20 inches long. Thomas's grandparents are Clifford and Beverly Wainman of Springfield and Linda Reichert of Adams.

He was delivered by Dr. Peter Dureska of Quincy Medical Group.

The Birth Center of Blessing Hospital showered Thomas and his family with gifts from 38 merchants including: Applebee's, Arby's, Bank of Quincy, Bath & Body Works, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Blessing Health System, Blessing Hospital Cafeteria, Carol Calkins, Dairy Queen, Daylight Donuts, Denman Medical, Fazoli's, Hampton Inn, Hardees, Jimmy Johns, Kiwanis Club, Krieger's, LaGondola Spaghetti House, Lakeview Restaurant, Maya Mexican Restaurant, Mercantile Bank, MJ Burton, Mr. Video, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Quincy Medical Group, RPM Advertising, Sam's Club, Sprout's Inn, Sturhahn Jewelers, Taco Bell, Tangerine Bowl, TCBY, TGI Fridays, The Pier, The Quincy Mall, Town & Country Bank and Underbrink's Bakery.

Other 2012 Babies

Carthage Hospital also welcomed its first and only baby into the New Year Sunday afternoon. Sioux Maxine Hancock was born at 2:49 p.m. A beautiful little girl at 6 lbs. 4 1/2 oz. Her parents Ty and Delores Hancock are from Dallas City.

Fort Madison, too, welcomed a little one. Macie Ann Levins was born at 6:32 Sunday morning, weighing in at 5 pounds 13 ounces. She's the product of two very proud parents, Zella Rae and David Levins.