Commentary by News - City & Region
WEST BURLINGTON - The first day of the new year is filled with firsts for Macie Ann Levins.
Tiny Macie came into this world at 5 pounds, 13 ounces at 6:32 a.m. on New Year's Day.
She's the first child born to Fort Madison's Zella Bowling and David Levins. Macie is also the first grandchild of Bowling's mother, Bette Kramer of Fort Madison, and Levins' mother, Cindy Case of Burlington.
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She's the fifth grandchild of stepmother Sandy and father Jim Levins of Burlington. Grandchildren range in age from 9 years old to Macie's one day. The Levins' fourth grandchild was born two weeks before Macie.
Macie was born at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington - Bowling lived in Burlington until a couple weeks ago - the first baby born at the hospital in the new year. As of Sunday afternoon, Macie also was the lone baby born at the hospital that day.
Bowling had a hectic New Year's Eve, as she started feeling ill and so decided to go to the hospital. She hated being driven by her mother to the hospital 20 minutes north of where she now calls home.
But it worked out, as she started going into labor five days before the baby's due date. Bowling's water broke at about 2 a.m., and Macie was born four and half hours later.
While the baby had gotten some rest by Sunday afternoon, her mother was too excited to sleep.
"I've been sad when they take her out of here," Bowling said from her hospital room.
She said they will likely be able to take Macie home Tuesday.
Macie kept her gender secret, as the sonograms couldn't determine it, so Bowling and Levins were surprised by having a girl. Bowling said she liked having the surprise, but it also meant they were still choosing a name after she was born.
While Bowling did not plan for her baby to be born on New Year's Day, when she learned the due date was close to it, she hoped she would have a New Year's baby.
Bowling and Levins are engaged, but they have not set a wedding date.
30 comment(s) found
re; So Macie:
1/9/2012
So after all the taxpayers who are feeding and caring for Macie are dead who will take care of Macie and her fatherless children? Just a thought.
So, Macie...:
1/8/2012
What do you think of the world so far? Yeah, the idiots don't get any smarter or less in number as you get older, either. Please ignore those who would tell you that you are doomed to fail because they don't agree with the circumstances of your birth and go ahead and have a great life anyway! Remember, they'll probably be dead before you're even out of high school.
Drop out rates:
1/6/2012
White 5.2, Black 9.3, Hispanic 17.6, American Indian 13.2. The races with the highest single moms have the highest drop out rates. No that isn't always the case. Many people do well despite many struggles. But a single home is a factor in looking at wether someone will drop out or turn to criminal activities like drugs. I came from a horrible place and became very successful. But I'm more the minority. Most give up or get caught up in negative things.
Re:Re: Okay:
1/6/2012
My mother never drank a drop, nor did she smoke. But nice try. Facts are facts, and you couldn't handle it. Two parent homes are more successful at getting kids to graduate high school and college, raising kids that are less likely to be in trouble, and on and on. Perhaps if you weren't so busy insulting others and playing both side of every issue you could check the facts easily available about graduation rates and two parent homes and so on. Certainly it's not always the case. Jut most of the time Charlie Brown.
Re: Okay:
1/5/2012
I know a guy who grew up in a single parent household in the hell you call South Hill. He graduated high school in the top of his class and went to college on an academic scholarship. That would be my son, sir. Now go sit in the corner with your narrow minded friends and laugh about that.
re: Okay: :
1/5/2012
The necessary ingredient in any family in order to produce responsible children is good parenting. That only requires one parent who takes the job seriously. There can be two-parent homes with bad parenting x2, or two-parent homes with only one good parent. It's not the number of parents involved, it's their dedication to the job.
Re: Okay:
1/5/2012
"Point, set, match?"
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