A Winner Already: Meet Nathan Ruggiero, Newtown's First Baby Of 2012

By Shannon Hicks

Gracie Ruggiero had an early birthday present this year.

On January 2, just 41 hours into the new year, Gracie's mom Heidi Werner gave birth to Nathan Xavier Ruggiero. In addition to being the second child born to Heidi and her husband, Louis Ruggiero, Nathan's birth at 5:01 pm on Monday, January 2, makes him Newtown's First Baby 2012.

The Newtown Bee heard from eight families hoping to gain that honorary title, but Nathan was by far the earliest birth submitted for this year's competition, which comes with an honorary title that is his for life and a collection of 40 gifts from local merchants (see full list below).

Nathan was 19 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces at his birth. When The Bee met him and his family earlier this week, the newborn had already grown one inch. While his father calls him "a voracious eater [who] eats constantly," Nathan has gained just over half a pound in his two-plus weeks of life so far.

Heidi and Lou were notified just after 5 pm Tuesday that they were the winners of this year's First Baby Contest, and gathered with their daughter to talk about their new addition a short while later. Nathan's big sister was celebrating her seventh birthday on January 17, and was a happy bundle of energy.

Gracie's favorite part of being a big sister, she said, is when she can help feed him.

"He's just so cute," she said, before jumping up to grab Nathan's bottle, and then bib, when mom Heidi mentioned the baby looked like he was ready to eat a little more.

While she is eager to help with that part of raising a child, she isn't quite ready for another regular task: that of changing a diaper.

"Oh no, she has no interest in that," Heidi said with a laugh, while Gracie scrunched up her nose. "In fact, she told us that she would need a clothespin for her nose before she would even try that one."

Nathan was almost a New Year's Baby. Heidi's projected due date was December 31, but her water did not break until the morning of January 2. By early that afternoon, however, doctors were ready to perform a C-section.

“We weren’t progressing the way we would have liked,” said Lou. “His head was tilting, and he was having trouble breathing at times.”

Nathan was delivered at Danbury Hospital by Dr Kevin Mitchell, who is affiliated with Candlewood Center for Women's Health.

"Once we started, this was actually an easier delivery than Gracie," said Heidi, who is employed as a paralegal. Lou is a software engineer.

His parents have already noticed that Nathan's eyes follow them, and that he is "much more alert," said Heidi, when he is awake. "He's fun to watch and listen to when he's sleeping, though," she added. "He sounds like he's laughing in his sleep."

Nathan and Gracie are the grandchildren of Angie and Richard Ruggiero of Danbury, and Penny and William Werner of Milford, Penn.

The First Baby 2012 Prize Package

Newtown's First Baby 2012, Nathan Ruggiero has earned his family certificates for the following goods and services: dinner for two at 100 Church Hill/The Iron Bridge Restaurant; a $25 gift certificate from Ace Hardware; a cookie platter for the parents from Andrea's Pastry Shop; a gift certificate for a European facial (valued at $80) from Avance Esthetiques European Skin Care & Day Spa; free oil and filter change at Berkshire Motors; dinner for the new parents at Blue Colony Diner; a three-foot hero of the choice of the parents from Dodgingtown Market & Country Deli; a $25 gas card from Dodgingtown Garage, Inc; a cheesecake from DOrazio Sisters Cheesecakes & Goodies; ten movie passes for Edmond Town Hall Theatre.

Also a Mommy & Me basket from Everything Newtown; dinner for the parents from the Pasta Specialty Menu at Franco's Pizza & Pasta; two Happy Cheesesteak combos from The Happy Cheesesteak; a $25 gift certificate from Hollandia Gift, Garden & Patio; lunch for two at Katherine's Kitchen; one week free tuition toward enrollment from The Learning Experience; a $25 gift certificate to My Plaza Pizza & Restaurant; a one-year subscription to The Newtown Bee; free oil change from Newtown Car Care; free lunch for the parents at Newtown Deli & Catering.

Also a $50 gift card from Newtown Hardware; a $25 gift certificate from Newtown Pizza Palace & Family Restaurant; an oil change from NJK Sunoco; a $50 gift certificate from Pacific Asian Bistro & Hibachi; a $20 gift certificate from Papa Al's Pizza Pasta Subs; a parenting book from Patience Pediatrics; a $100 savings bond from People's United Bank; free cleaning and preservation of baby's Christening outfit or baby's first outfit from Queen Street Cleaners; complimentary haircuts for the parents at Ricci's Salon Spa Academy and Hero for men Barbering; a $25 gift certificate from Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor.

And a handmade knitted baby hat and booties by Mrs Marini, mother of Sal e Pepe owner Sal Marini, courtesy of Sal e Pepe Restaurant; a haircut with Kerry at Salon Michele; a bottle of champagne from Stop & Save Liquors or Yankee Wine & Liquor; a $25 gift certificate from Subway (Plaza South location); a $50 gift certificate from Tambascio's Italian Grill; a $50 gift certificate from Toro Sushi Bar & Hibachi; a $50 gift certificate from UK Gourmet; lunch for two at The Villa Restaurant; a bottle of champagne from World of Wine and Spirits; and a $25 gift certificate from Yours Truly, LLC.