Cox Monett welcomes first baby of 2023

Sound the alarm! Cox Monett’s first baby of 2023 is an adorable little boy.

Parents Shawn Nance and Bailey Burnside welcomed baby Ridge Allen into the world at 12:44 p.m. on Jan. 2. The little fella weighed a healthy seven pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 21 inches long.

"When we checked in, the nursing staff told us we could potentially have the New Year’s baby, and I couldn’t believe it," says Ridge’s mom. "The whole experience at Cox Monett has been amazing; the best part is they have allowed us time to bond with the baby, which we feel is so important."

Shawn, who is a fireman with the City of Neosho, was gifted a red onesie with fire trucks on it from a co-worker. The parents say when it came time to pick an outfit for the photo, it had to be the one with fire engines on it.

Cox Monett and the Cox Monett Auxiliary presented a gift basket to the family in honor of the new baby. It included a bear, diapers, socks, wipes, books, and toys.