Photo courtesy of Avera Marshall Michel and Alexus Muston pose with their daughter Bentley Rose, who was born on Jan. 1 at Avera Marshall.

MARSHALL — In 2023, the first baby born at Avera Marshall Medical Center really was a New Year’s baby. She didn’t arrive at midnight, but Bentley Rose, the first child of Michel and Alexus Muston of Hendricks, was born in the early hours of Jan. 1, Avera Marshall said.

“It’s exciting. I didn’t think I would have a new year baby,” Alexus Muston said Tuesday.

Bentley was born at 2:44 a.m. on Sunday, weighing seven pounds and measuring 20.5 inches long.

Michel Muston said he and Alexus knew their baby would be born in late December or early January. However, Alexus said, “I didn’t think I was going to have her on New Year’s.”

Alexus said she started showing signs of pre-eclampsia, and when that happened, her labor was induced.

“We’ve been doing good,” Alexus said this week.

Michel said the family were able to avoid the wintry weather that made travel difficult this week. Alexus, Bentley and Michel arrived back at home on Monday.