After 38 1/2 hours of labor, Danielle Rinehart delivered Boundary County’s first baby for 2009 at 1:27 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Dallin Dodge Rinehart wasn’t due until Jan. 16. His early arrival means Danielle and Allin Rinehart of Naples are the winners of the 2009 Boundary County First Baby Contest sponsored by the Bonners Ferry Herald.

Prizes provided by Bonners Ferry merchants include a pair of baby shoes from Under The Sun, a Lil Pod Carrier Cover from Well Life Pharmacy, a $25 gift certificate from Boundary Trading Co., $25 in a savings account at Wells Fargo Bank and two days of daycare provided by Lil Bunnies Child Care,

The Rineharts also received a $10 gift certificate from Moose Valley Farms, a haircut from Main Street Hair Salon, a $25 gift certificate from Ace Elder Care for a local merchant,  an 8- by 10-inch photo from One Hour Photo, baby’s first haircut from Bonners Ferry Family Barber Shop and $25 gift certificate for parts and service and $500 off purchase of vehicle from Riverside Auto, Free dental check-up for Mom and first check-up for  baby from Kanisku Health Services, and a John Deere snuggly from Columbia Tractor Inc.  

“This is very exciting and a surprise to us, we had no idea we had the first baby in the county,” said Allin Rinehart.

“On Sunday my wife told me that she had a funny feeling as I left for my graveyard shift at Welco, I got home from work at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, and by 11:30 a.m. we were at the hospital in labor,” said Allin Rinehart. 

“My wife is amazing and is doing fine.  I wish we could go home tonight but she needs to rest a while,” Allin Rinehart added.

Maternal grandparents are Andrea N. Alonzo of Naples and James Schultze of Post Falls.

Paternal grandparents are Linda L. Rinehart Noah of Muskeet, Nev, and the late Albert F. Rinehart.

Little Dallin Dodge Rinehart has two older sisters Josey Rinehart, 14, and Aleah Sandelin, 6, and a brother, Riley Jessie Allin Rinehart Sandelin, 8.