It’s a girl: New Year’s Baby born Jan. 8

Proud parents JT Selet and Irmalinda Ponce of Le Mars are all smiles as they share a moment their daughter Aecho on Tuesday. Aecho is their first child.

LE MARS — It took a week, but Floyd Valley Healthcare finally welcomed the 2023 New Year’s Baby on Sunday, Jan. 8.

Aecho Amirah-Jo Gonzalez Selet Ponce made her appearance at 11:53 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 8. She weighed 8 pounds, .08 ounces, is 19 inches long and has dark hair.

Proud parents are JT Selet and Irmalinda Ponce of Le Mars. Aecho is their first child.

(Sentinel Photos by Beverly Van Buskirk) The 2023 New Year’s baby Aecho Amirah-Jo Gonzalez Selet Ponce was dressed like a princess for her debut picture on Monday. The little miss was born at 11:53 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 8.

Attending physician was Dr. Ashley Powell.

JT and Irmalinda were all smiles Monday as they introduced their daughter to family members who were visiting them.

Irmalinda said Aecho’s due date was Jan. 10.

She said she started having contractions on Saturday, and went to the hospital, but returned home, staying up all night.

By 5 a.m., Sunday, the couple was back at the hospital.

“It was a quick delivery,” she said.

The couple planned to take their daughter home Tuesday.

“It’s been so good,” Irmalinda said of her stay at Floyd Valley, thankful for the caring staff.

JT works production at Wells and Irmalinda is a familiar face at the McDonald’s drive up.

And their plans for Aecho?

“Right now I want to be with her as much as I can before I go back to work,” Irmalinda said.

Judging by the visitors on Monday, there will be plenty of arms to cuddle and hold the little girl, who was decked out in a princess dress for her photo opportunity for the newspaper and the hospital.