Little Harley Sparks wasn't due until Jan. 3 but his mom went into labor on New Year's Eve at Sutter Delta Medical Center. After 12 hours, her doctor, who also happens to be her grandmother, decided to schedule a C-section for the stroke of midnight, New Year's Day.
Dr. Debra Stewart couldn't have imagined a better New Year's Day gift -- a new great-grandson she delivered herself. But this isn't the first time. In fact, this is the 10th time she's delivered a family member.
"I have eight grandchildren and I've delivered seven of them; I have three great-grandchildren, and I've delivered all of them," she said.
Her granddaughter, Kara Jeter, lives in Bakersfield.
"She came to visit for Christmas and was having some contractions, and we couldn't send her home; she's been laboring since Monday night, Sunday night," Stewart said.
When it became clear her son would need to be delivered by C-section, Jeter proceeded with trepidation.
"Shaking, yeah, I was shaking, like, the whole time," Jeter said.
"She was a little scared about the C-section part, so I think it was a little less scary to know her grandma was in there with her," Stewart said.
And so at the stroke of midnight, Jan. 1, 2013, little Harley Sparks came into the world. He's named after his dad -- Thomas Harley Sparks. Harley weighs eight pounds, 2.5 ounces, and is 21 inches long. His family says he's pretty perfect.
"He doesn't cry a lot; well, hopefully he's not going to cry a lot," Jeter said.
And although that's not likely to happen, Jeter never thought this would happen. Her first baby, the first born on the first day of a new year.
"No, I would think it would be impossible to do that," Jeter said.
But it might be impossible for this family to have a new year's day this wonderful ever again.
"This New Year will be hard to top; not too many people get to say they delivered their grandkids, especially on New Year's Day," Stewart said.
All four generations of the family are doing well at the hospital. After a long, exciting, sleepless night, they are looking forward to getting some rest.
