The first baby born in Libby this year had a bit of competition.

Officials at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center reported three babies born in the hours before and after the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve. The second of those infants, Tony Johnson, was deemed the medical center’s first birth of 2022. He arrived about 3:26 p.m., Jan. 1, officials said.

“We are both super grateful to Dr. [Taylor] Williams and all the staff at Cabinet Peaks for their

patience and love during the process,” said parents Jeremiah and Gabby Johnson in a statement. “They were all supportive and kind for the whole time we were there.”

Tony Johnson weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20-and-a-quarter inches in length. He joins his 3-year-old sister, Keira Lee.

Area businesses and organizations traditionally offer gifts and donations to the first baby of the year. Glacier Bank provided the family with a gift certificate to a local supermarket while Northwest Community Health Center provided a baby bouncer.

Cabinet Peaks Clinic Family Medicine offered a stroller while Cabinet Peaks Clinic OB/GYN donated a swing. The medical center gave the family a video baby monitor as well as a few other necessities, according to a press release.

Medical Center officials joined the Johnsons in singing Williams’ praises.

“[Williams] was the main provider for all of these patients and handled it like a pro,” said Kimberlee Rebo, manager of the medical center’s acute care services, in a statement. “He gave each patient and family his undivided attention and care. He carefully listened, acted in the patient’s best interest, and went above and beyond to make sure all his patients received the best care possible. Although he spent much of the weekend fielding calls from the team and being in house caring for his patients, he didn’t seem to bat an eye.”

Rebo described the days leading up to the series of births in short succession as hectic. Williams received assistance from Dr. Kelli Jarrett and the facility’s acute care team, nurses, respiratory therapists, dietary teams and others either assisted or stayed on alert, she said.

“As we know, babies will come when they come and often on their own terms,” Rebo said.