Lansing couple welcomes mid-Michigan’s first baby of 2017

Published: Jan. 1, 2017

LANSING, MI – Little Jasmen Victoria Lopez’s relatives were already eagerly awaiting her birth as the first “little princess” in a family of boys – they didn’t know she would also become a mini-celebrity as Sparrow’s, and the mid-Michigan region’s, first New Year’s Baby of 2017.

“They were excited we were having a girl,” said Mom Christina Castro of Lansing. “We didn’t plan for all this to happen.”

Jasmen was born at 12:26 a.m. to Castro and Dad Steven E. Lopez Jr. She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces, measuring 20 inches. She joins brothers Jeremy, 5, and Steven III, who turns 2 on Jan. 13.

The parents are Lansing natives and said they were proud their daughter was born in their hometown.

“I love Sparrow,” Castro said. “I wouldn’t pick any other hospital for my babies. I’ve always had a good experience at Sparrow.”

Jasmen was delivered by Attending Physician Valerie Levitt, M.D., and Resident Laura Tate, D.O., and Nurses Amanda Berberich and Sarah DeLeeuw.

As parents of Sparrow’s 2017 New Year’s Baby, the happy but tired couple received an infant car seat from Sparrow, along with a teddy bear from the Volunteers at the Sparrow Gift Shop, and other gifts. The Volunteer E.W. Sparrow Hospital Auxiliary donated a receiving blanket for the new parents.

Sparrow is mid-Michigan’s most popular birthing center, delivering about 4,000 babies a year. For more information on Sparrow Birthing Services, visit www.Sparrow.org.birthing.

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