First baby of 2019 arrives in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first baby of the new year has arrived in South Lake Tahoe at Barton Health's Family Birthing Center. On January 2, 2019 at 5:38 p.m., a baby boy weighing in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 21" long was born to local residents Mordey and Shaina Richler.

This is the fourth child for the Richlers, who run Chabad Jewish Center. As customary with his parent's faith, Baby Richler will be named when he is eight days old.

The baby joins older sisters Rachel (5) Chaya (4) and Rivka (2). They were excited to meet their baby brother and took turns holding him with the help of their grandmother, Bracha Richler. Both parents come from large families - Mordey is one of 11 children and Shaina is one of 10.

Barton Health presented the parents with a wagon filled with gifts donated by local businesses and organizations, a tradition of the health care system and community to celebrate the first baby of the New Year. South Tahoe Now donates a birth announcement ad annually to the first baby and their family.

Based at Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe, Barton Family Birthing Center is comprised of registered nurses, board certified obstetricians, as well as family practice physicians and pediatricians. Barton has one of the lowest Cesarean Section birth rates in California and recently earned a Blue Distinction© designation for its healthy outcomes for mothers and babies. In 2018, 311 babies were delivered at Barton Family Birthing Center.