The wait was not long for the first baby to be born in Walsh County in 2010. Sage Wynter Lembcke was born Thursday, Jan. 7, at 6:25 p.m., at First Care Health Center in Park River, the only hospital in the county offering obstetric services.

Sage is the daughter of Curtis and Britainie Lembcke of Park River. When she made her grand entrance just one day after her due date, she weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 19 inches.

Sage has three siblings, sister, Kyann who is four years old, and brothers Michael who is three and Wyatt who is 20 months old. Kyann was very excited to meet her new sister, Britainie said, and wouldn’t allow anyone to hold the baby except her. She even helped the nurse take her little sister’s vitals. Wyatt wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, but was happy to hug and kiss his baby sister.

The Lembckes said they knew there was a chance their new arrival could be the New Year’s Baby but had been told by Dr. Joel Johnson there was a possibility their daughter could be born before Christmas. They were also aware of two other couples who were expecting babies at the end of December. The last baby was born at First Health Care on Dec. 29.

Sage’s proud grandparents are Bill and Annita Sirman of Pisek and Gerald and Barb Lanigan of Grafton.