KANSAS CITY – Just as Kansas City was bidding farewell to 2020, Katelynn Fackler Olinger and Josh Olinger of Belton, Missouri, were celebrating the birth of their son at Research Medical Center. Kashton Olinger, Kansas City’s first baby of 2021, was born at 12:07 a.m., weighing in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces and 19-1/4-inches long.
The proud parents are accustomed to welcoming the arrival of their children on holidays: Kashton’s two sisters also made their entrances born on a Christmas Day and a Halloween.
Olinger was admitted to the hospital on the afternoon of Dec. 31, hoping for a New Year’s baby.
“Baby Kash has already been such a light during a dark time,” the new mom says. “All of the nurses, doctors and staff have been phenomenal, especially Lauren, who helped deliver him, as he came much faster than we expected. We love this hospital and can’t wait to bring him home to his big sisters who are excited to meet him.”
“Research Medical Center delivers hundreds of babies each year and every single one is a special blessing and joyous occasion for us,” says Research Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Ashley McClellan. “But we’re thrilled to have the honor of bringing Kansas City, Missouri’s first baby of 2021 into the world and wish Katelynn, Josh, Kashton and his sisters the best.
We look forward to serving many more families at Research Medical Center in the coming year.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas couldn’t resist joining in on the New Year’s baby celebration. He made a surprise video call to the Olingers as they were snuggling with the newest member of their family.
“It’s exciting to celebrate new life at the beginning of this long-awaited New Year, and I was glad to offer my congratulations to the family of the first baby born in Kansas City in 2021,” Lucas says. “Mom reports she and baby Kashton are both doing great, and I know he has two excited big sisters waiting for him to get home.”
“My thanks to our healthcare workers who sacrifice holiday time with their own families to serve our community.”
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