First 2011 arrival

In a very real sense, Isabella Laura Hernandez is starting out in life right along with her very young parents.

The New Year baby, the first born at Colusa Regional Medical Center in 2011, arrived at 12:08 p.m. on Jan. 2, weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.

She is the first child of Leticia Torres and Asuncion Hernandez of Willows.

Torres is a sophomore at Willows High School. Hernandez attends Willows Community High School.

"I was excited and scared at times," said Torres about having the baby. "But it was special because he was there."

Hernandez said being in the delivery room was definitely an experience.

"It was good. I was excited," he said, adding, "I was a little nervous."

Torres said the baby's names are a combination of what she wanted and what her boyfriend liked, but neither have any particular significance.

"Isabella, it's a really beautiful name for a girl," said Torres, who said she plans on calling her daughter Bella for short.

Both mom and daughter are perfectly healthy, she said.

Both mom and dad also have heard from a lot of well-wishers since the birth of their daughter, but they are not the star of this show.

"My baby has gotten a lot of attention, not me," quips Torres.

The hospital's auxiliary helped the young couple along by providing a knitted afghan. The Pacific Flyway Quilters tossed in a new handmade quilt.

Dr. Michael Goodman of North Valley Family Physicians was the birthing doctor.