Boy, what a birthday present
<p>Proud parents Eric and Britney Estabrooks are all smiles following the birth of their son, Kayden James, about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 1. Kayden joins sister Madyson, 2, in the Estabrooks family.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Britney Estabrooks celebrated her 22nd birthday on New Year's Day. Better yet was the gift she received.
A baby boy.
"The ultimate birthday present," the 22-year-old said with a big smile Monday afternoon as she held her son, born 8:30 the night before.
Kayden James was the first baby born in 2012 at Kootenai Medical Center. He arrived a week before his due date, and joins 2-year-old sister Madyson in the Estabrooks family. A big, healthy boy, he weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces, and measured 21 1/2 inches long.
"He's not quite as big as his dad was," father Eric Estabrooks said, noting he tipped the scales at more than 10 pounds when he came into the world.
"We've got the perfect little family, one girl, one boy," Britney added.
The family remains upbeat despite falling on tough times.
Eric, a cook, has been unemployed since July, so the family has been staying with his brother in Post Falls. Britney looks after Madyson, and now Kayden, and does not work.
While Britney got a morning ride to KMC on New Year's Day, dad stayed home to care for Madyson until he could find a baby sitter. Since he didn't have a car or cash for a taxi, he hoofed it eight miles to the hospital in about two hours, arriving around 1:30. His son came along 7 hours later.
"Before I left, she called and said I need to get here, she thought she might be going in to labor," the Sandpoint native said. "It was constantly running through my mind. 'Will I make it?'"
He did.
"I'm happy to have a son," the 25-year-old said.
Eric and Britney, married two years, will continue to live with his brother until Eric finds work and they're able to save for a place of their own.
He said it has been "really tough," to survive in this economy.
"We've actually had to pawn off a lot of things just to keep going, lost a lot of things in pawn," he said.
Lynn Rinker, KMC nurse, was impressed with Eric and Britney's attitude and affection for each other and their new son.
Despite being unemployed and not having a home, they've maintained a positive outlook, she said.
"They've fallen on hard times, but they never complained about one thing, ever," she said. "They're a couple of hard-working kids."
Eric and Britney told Rinker they're determined to turn things around.
Their view, Rinker said, is "We're going to do this."
"I like to see young kids like that. They're trying the best they can," she said. "With a little support, I think they'll get where they want to go."