Kalispell baby rings in the New Year

Levi Paul Martino is the north Flathead Valley's newest celebrity today.

Young Levi, who entered the world at 12:35 p.m. Saturday, was the first baby of 2005 born at Kalispell Regional Medical Center and the first baby reported in the north valley.

By press time on Saturday, North Valley Hospital in Whitefish was still awaiting its first baby of the year.

"It's pretty special, he's our special boy," his mother said a couple hours later.

Levi is the sixth child in Libbi and Paul Martino's blended family in Kalispell, and all five of his siblings are "pretty excited," Libbi Martino reported. "They just got here and they're taking turns holding him."

The new arrival weighed in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and is 21.5 inches long. Mom aid she was feeling fine after seven hours of labor and a natural birth.

"He looks like Lexi," Martino said, noting the daughter born to her and her husband 2 1/2 years ago. "And I see some of my father in him, too."

In addition to Lexi and Levi, the Martinos are parents to Andrew Merical, 12, Flint Martino, 11, Ashley Merical, 9 and Aiyana Martino, 9.

Levi's grandparents are Sandi Weigum and Doug Grob, both of Kalispell, and Bertye and Paul Martino, who live in New York.

Martino just received her certified nurse midwife accreditation, and her husband is a chemistry professor at Flathead Valley Community College.

"He's a very proud papa," she said of her husband's feelings Saturday after Levi's birth. "He said, 'We have our little boy.'"

Despite her nurse midwifery training, she had hoped for a hospital birth. Two prior Caesareans prompted the cautionary decision, but "it actually went very well," Martino said.

She plans to take time for a few days in the hospital for Levi and herself to rest, confident in Paul's ability to handle everything at home and thankful for the strong support from extended family members.

"There's no need to rush it," she said.

As she relaxed in her hospital room and watched her new son "looking around at his brothers and sisters" Saturday afternoon, Martino reflected on her hopes and dreams for him.

"I hope that he grows up in the fear and admonition of the Lord," she said, "and that he grows up to be a loving and kind person. That's my biggest hope."