Published on January 02, 2012

First Baby of 2012 in Josephine County Born at TRCH

Tavita Fa’alataitaua Reid-Jessen was the first baby of the New Year in Josephine County. He was born to Salamasina Reid-Jessen, 35, and David Jessen, 40, at Three Rivers Community Hospital at 11:43 p.m. on January 1, 2012. He weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 20 inches long.

Dee Taylor, president of the hospital auxiliary gave the family a basket of gifts and a gift card to Fred Meyers to honor the birth. Family Birthing Center staff were on hand to help celebrate and also presented the family with a basket of goodies. A hand-sewn quilt and stocking from an anonymous donor was presented to the couple with the note: “Precious little one! May you always be safe and warm and loved. Blessings from someone who shares your birthday."

Salamasina said their stay at the hospital was good. “The hospital is great, nurses are great, the doctors are great, everybody is good,” she said.

Tavita’s full name is Tavita Fa’alataitaua Johnevan Mathias Reid-Jessen. Fa’alataitaua is a name taken from his great-grandfather and Johenvan Mathias are the names of David Jessen’s brothers.

Tavita Fa'alataitaua has four siblings: Jay New, 14, Cheyenne New, 11, Aloali'i Reid-Jessen, 2, and Talalelei Reid-Jessen, 1.

Pictured (l-r) are David Jessen, Aloali'i Reid-Jessen, Cheyenne New, Jay New, Talalelei Reid-Jessen, Tavita Fa'alataitaua Reid-Jessen, Salamasina Reid-Jessen, and Dee Taylor, hospital auxiliary.