1992's New Year's baby celebrated 10th birthday

January 02, 2002

1992's New Year's baby celebrated 10th birthday

By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI
kimy@herald-mail.com

CLEAR SPRING - Clear Spring Elementary School student Douglas Morgan likes to point out that he was born on New Year's Day 10 years ago.

"He's pretty proud of that," said his mother, Kimberly Morgan.

Douglas was born at Washington County Hospital early on Jan. 1, 1992.

Each year, The Herald-Mail features the first child born on New Year's Day in the Tri-State area. Douglas was one of those babies.

Weighing in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces, Douglas was delivered 10 days earlier than expected, his mother said.

Kimberly Morgan, then 26, and her husband Keith Morgan, were cleaning up following a small New Year's Eve gathering at her Clear Spring home when she realized her baby was coming.

"It was just after midnight, I went to take a shower and my water broke," she said.

Douglas Alan Morgan was born at 3:47 a.m.

"It was a surprise," she said of her baby's gender.

Douglas shares his birthday with his grandmother, Pat Hedges, who was born on New Year's Day 65 years ago.

The couple's other son, Brandon, and daughter, Leslie, were also born on special days.

Brandon was born 15 years ago on Groundhog Day and Leslie was born 12 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, Morgan said.

On Monday, New Year's Eve festivities took a back seat to Douglas' birthday party, attended by family members and friends.

Among his gifts was a mixed puppy he named Cliffto. The male puppy was a gift from the family of his late cousin, Cassey Yost, who died from a gunshot wound in November.

One of the highlights of the celebration was a cake decorated with a picture of Douglas in his football uniform.

In addition to sports, Douglas loves animals and school, his mother said.

"He said he wants to be a professional athlete or game warden someday," his mother said.

An honor roll student, Douglas' favorite subject is social studies, he said.

"I like learning about Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay," Douglas said.