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January 4, 2000
New century, new baby forWiggins family of New UlmBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- For many people, the year 2000 began not only with the start of a new year, but also with the start of a century and a new millennium. For Jerry and Melissa Wiggins of New Ulm, when the calendar turned on Jan. 1, 2000, it meant a new addition to their family. Melissa gave birth to New Ulm's first baby of 2000. Samuel Raymond "Heath" Wiggins was born at 8:01 p.m. on New Year's Day at New Ulm Medical Center. He weighed 10 pounds 6 ounces and was 21 inches long. "Having our baby in the year 2000 was not something we were aiming for, despite all the hoopla surrounding millennium babies," Melissa said. About six months ago, they started hearing advertisements regarding millennium baby celebrations and planning kits. People started asking them if they hoped for a millennium baby, Jerry said. "We always answered by saying we didn't care, as long as we had a healthy baby," Melissa said. Heath is the fourth child for the Wiggins family. Because he was due on Dec. 26, everyone was anxious for him to arrive. "It is interesting having him born in the year 2000," Melissa said. "It makes him unique. He is a very special baby." The Wiggins, who have lived in New Ulm two years, have no family in the area. They took lots of video pictures of the baby , and they plan to e-mail them to their relatives. Heath's brother's, 11-year-old Jerrod and 9-year-old twins Jesse and Justin, weren't sure whether they wanted a sister or a brother. However, they are glad the baby is finally here, Melissa said. "They really wanted to stay home from school today (Monday), so they could be here when the baby left the hospital," Jerry said. "I bet their feet won't even touch the floor between school and the bus because they are so excited." The nurses took footprints of Heath, and the boys took them to school so they could show him off, Melissa said. Heath was named after two grandparents. "He even got to watch his first Vikings game," Jerry said. "I held him up to the television yesterday (Sunday) during the game and explained it to him."
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