New Year's Baby a pleasant surprise

By Tom Treweek Staff Writer
tomt@nwanews.com
The Benton County Daily Record

SILOAM SPRINGS - Jacob and Jaqueta Mouse weren't trying to have any children. They didn't think they could.

"Three different doctors told him he couldn't have kids," Jaqueta said of her husband of nearly two years.

Then Dallas came. Dallas Alexander Mouse, born 5 pounds 11 ounces, 17 inches tall. A New Year's baby. Born at 5:56 a.m. Thursday, he was the New Year's baby in Benton County. The timing of his birth is only part of the reason it seems that Dallas Alexander is destined for the limelight. He already smiles when the cameras come out.

"That smiling and stuff for the camera, he gets that from his momma," Jaqueta said. "He ain't shy."

Dallas was not supposed to be born on New Year's Day. He was due Jan. 17, and doctors told Jaqueta they wanted to induce labor Jan. 9. The 21-year-old was at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital by 9 p.m. Dec. 31 to give birth to her first child.

"This is our first and last," Jacob said.

Jaqueta's pregnancy was labeled high risk, Jacob said. He did not elaborate on the reasons, but the threat is enough to dissuade the couple from having a second child.

But Dallas is healthy. He has his father's eyebrows and nose and his mother's mouth and chin, the couple said. Jacob is ready to change the diapers, having "17 nieces and nephews I've done it for."

The newly expanded family won't spend their first night in their Gravette home until at least tonight. Hospital staff said they don't discharge the mothers or babies for at least 24 hours.

Jaqueta, whose face still showed signs of an exhausting night, couldn't stop smiling.

"He's cute, and I'm happy," she said.