It was hurry up and wait for his parents as Carson James Langstraat arrived in this world Saturday morning to become the 2011 New Year's Baby in Grand Forks.
His parents, Alysha and Senior Airman Manny Langstraat of Hatton, N.D., drove to the hospital in the early hours of Friday morning, sometimes in blizzard conditions, after Alysha's water broke. It was a nerve-wracking trip in their Dodge Ram truck.
"We couldn't see anything the whole way from Hatton," Manny Langstraat said. "Sometimes we drove 30 mph. The interstate was closed."
Once they got to the Altru Birthing Center, little Carson took his time, arriving 35 hours later, at 10:29 a.m. Saturday.
He is the first child of Alysha, 19, a native of Tea, S.D., and her husband, 21, a native of Elk Point, S.D., who is stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Alysha Langstraat is working on a degree in early childhood education through Lake Region State College at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
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Carson, who arrived five weeks early, was 5 pounds, 12 ounces, and 19½ inches long. The new parents said they chose the name Carson because they just liked the sound of it. James is Manny Langstraat's middle name and his father's first name, and has been part of the names of Langstraat men going back four generations.
The Langstraats knew they were having a boy, but his early arrival definitely was a surprise, his mother said. Nevertheless, she had a bag packed and was ready to go, she said.
"Two days before I packed a bag and got out the car seat," she said. "I don't know, maybe it was mother's intuition."
The new parents said Manny's parents were on their way from South Dakota Saturday, anxious to meet their grandson. They expected a long trip with Interstate 29 still closed most of the way.
For being Grand Forks' New Years Baby, Carson and his parents have received gifts from 17 Grand Forks businesses and organizations. Despite all the excitement, Alysha Langstraat said, Carson spent most of Saturday sleeping.
"He looks just like his dad," she said. "It's crazy -- a little Mini Me."
Reach Tobin at (701) 780-1134; (800) 477-6572, ext. 134; or send e-mail to ptobin@gfherald.com .
