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  • Shannon and Randy Cook welcome their daughter Maggie into the world as the first baby born in Mercer County in 2013. The Cooks, residents of New Castle, had the baby at UPMC Horizon in Farrell.

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January 2, 2013

New Castle couple has Mercer County’s first 2013 baby

Courtney L. Saylor Sharon Herald

CNHI — We may not know what 2013 holds for us, but the Cook family of New Castle is pretty sure about one thing: It’s going to be busy.

At 10:43 a.m. Tuesday, Shannon and Randy Cook welcomed their daughter, Maggie Marie, the first baby born in Mercer County in the new year.

Maggie is little sister to 11-month-old Katie Cook, a “diva” who’s just begun taking a few steps at a time on her own, the girls’ parents said.

Maggie showed up on schedule and in a hurry. Cook said her water broke after 8 a.m., they drove to Horizon Hospital in Farrell, and after about an hour and four pushes, little Maggie arrived weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce.

Since everything happened so quickly, Cook didn’t even have enough time to get an epidural, so the birth was painful.

“But she’s so worth it,” Cook said, looking at her daughter, bundled in a blanket and hat.

While she knew odds were good she’d give birth on New Year’s Day — it was when the baby was due — Cook said she didn’t give it a lot of thought.

Cook said she figures Katie will see her little sister as a real-life baby doll. However, as of Tuesday afternoon the two hadn’t yet met.

Randy Cook, who has two adult sons, said they’ll have their hands full.

But his wife, the former Shannon Koscinski, said they have “the most supportive family in the world” to help them out.

The Cooks both work at Hill House Restaurant in New Castle and grew up in the city.

Cook said she enjoys being a mom, adding she hopes the new year brings them happiness.

“I just hope that our family stays healthy,” her husband said, adding he also hopes for a little more prosperity for them than 2012 brought.

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