Westmoreland's first baby of 2020 arrives week earlier than expected

Serena Rose Spino came into the world a week earlier than expected — just in time to be Westmoreland County’s first baby born in 2020. She emerged at 6:29 a.m. New Year’s Day at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.

Serena Rose, the daughter of James Spino, 31, and his wife, Sarah, 29, of Greensburg, was not expected until Jan. 7, “but she came in on her own,” mom said as she held her sleeping newborn Wednesday at the hospital. Serena weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and stretched out 18 inches.

Excela Health Westmoreland is the only hospital in the county with a maternity ward.

Serena joins a big brother, James “Sonny” Spino II, who will celebrate his fifth birthday Jan. 23. Sonny wanted his mother to have twins, a boy and girl, but will have to do with one sister, his mother said.

Sarah Spino said she started going into labor with contractions throughout the day on New Year’s Eve and knew the baby would not wait until Jan. 7, as her doctor had predicted. They arrived at the hospital at 4 a.m. and delivered at the hospital’s Family Additions Maternity Center about 2½ hours later.

Big brother shares a birthday with a girl cousin.

“We like to say they are twins of different mothers, since they were born the same day in the same year,” said Sarah Spino, who has plenty of practice with little ones as she works in the childcare field.

Serena is the granddaughter of Frank and Nancy Spino, and Mary Rindt, all of Jeannette.

Less than 12 hours after Serena’s birth, mother said she is not interested in adding more babies to her family.

“I think two is enough,” Sarah Spino said with a smile.