ALABASTER – While having a baby is a happy occasion for any family, the birth of Corbin Lee Allen was especially unique to parents Corey Allen and Amelia Davis. The couple welcomed Corbin into the world at 7:24 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center’s Women’s Center in Alabaster, making him the first baby born in Shelby County this year. Corbin was born weighing 5 pounds and 5 ounces, and has a brother who is older by 10 months.

Allen said having the first 2018 baby in Shelby County feels good and is special for the family. Corbin was the only baby born that day, and Shelby Baptist OB manager Shawn Yarbrough said his New Year’s Day birthday is one of the many things that will set him apart throughout his life.

“It’s a fresh start. You’re starting a new year, and what better way to start off than with a new baby?” Yarbrough said.

While he and Davis could have chosen to have Corbin at a hospital closer to their home in Jemison, Allen said they chose to give birth at Shelby Baptist because of the good experiences they’ve had there in the past.

“They did a really good job with our first child, who was born last year,” Allen said.

For Shelby Baptist, Yarbrough said being able to have Shelby County’s first baby of 2018 was an honor.

“It’s always a pleasure when we have the opportunity to serve the community this way.”

Davis said she and her family were glad to have had Corbin at Shelby Baptist, and are thankful for their hospitality.