Welcome, Charlie Paul Wedekind

STERLING – Charlie Paul Wedekind was quite comfortable in the womb.

The first baby of the new year came into the world via a scheduled cesarean section because he was breech – a position he had been in for 2 weeks. Charlie was born at 8:38 a.m. Wednesday at CGH Medical Center, less than a week before his due date of Jan. 8.

He was 8 pounds, 11 ounces and 21 inches long.

New mother Brittney Tompkins, 25, of Walnut, went to her regular appointment a couple of weeks ago, and the doctor discovered her baby was breech. The baby was comfortable; she was the opposite.

“I was just uncomfortable for a while,” Tompkins said. “We were hoping he would move, but he was just too comfortable. He was stubborn.”

Tompkins, who had had a relatively easy pregnancy otherwise, arrived at the hospital at 6 a.m. and underwent a scheduled C-section.

“I didn’t sleep the night before, being scared and nervous and just not knowing what to expect,” Tompkins said. “I hurt, but I’m just glad he’s here and we have him and he’s healthy.”

Proud father Steve Wedekind, 34, of Walnut, is thrilled.

“I’ve been waiting for this for years,” Wedekind said.

The couple, who have been together about a year but were best friends for years before, settled on a name ahead of time. They knew his first name would be Charlie – “I always said if I had a little boy, I was going to name him Charlie,” Tompkins said – and they chose his middle name of Paul after both of their fathers.

Tompkins and Wedekind are excited to be parents.

“We fell in love immediately,” Tompkins said. “He’s beautiful – just perfect.”

“We want him to experience everything,” Wedekind said.

Charlie will be spoiled by grandparents Paul and Barb Tompkins of Tampico, April and Ronnie Robnette of Rock Falls, Paul and Denise Wedekind of Rock Falls, and Annette and David Ditzler of Polo.