Ironwood area couple receives special delivery on Christmas

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood - A Christmas delivery was very special to an Ironwood area couple this year.

On Christmas Day, Olivia Reini and Darryl Anderson Jr. went to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital because Olivia was experiencing back pains while pregnant.

The obstetrics department sent her to the emergency room because she wasn't in labor and her baby was due on Dec. 27.

Reini had been in the hospital a couple of times previously for the same lower back pains.

She was treated in the ER on Christmas by Dr. Eric Maki, who helped her with her pain and sent her home.

Three hours later, before 7 p.m., the first-time-to-be parents called Olivia's mother, Lee Ellsworth, in a panic as labor pains arrived.

Ellsworth picked up the couple and Olivia was sitting in the front seat of the car with her mom, headed for the hospital, as the baby's head emerged near the Walmart store, just off U.S. 2.

The rest of the baby's body came out before the couple could travel the short distance to the hospital.

According to the other grandmother, Pamela Anderson, as the couple arrived at the hospital, an Aspirus ER team rushed out to help Olivia.

"A nurse grabbed her Aspirus hoodie and wrapped up the baby and grandma (Ellsworth) cut the baby's cord. Everything turned out perfect," Pamela Anderson said.

Colton James Anderson Reini was 19 inches long and officially weighed seven pounds and nine ounces.

The family thanked the hospital team for its immediate response and care.

Grandma Anderson said on Wednesday the baby she calls a "Christmas surprise" was at home and doing well.

"We're thankful for a Merry Christmas," she said.