Smiles spread across the faces of a Eufaula couple Sunday with the long awaited arrival of their daughter.
Gwendolyn Jackson proudly held her daughter, Mariunah Antriese Long, as she sat next to her fiance, Mark Anthony Long, in her hospital room at Southeast Alabama Medical Center.
The couple became parents to the first baby born in Dothan of 2012.
After 40 weeks and three days Jackson gave birth to her 8 pound 4 ounce daughter at 1:17 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
“We’re going to call her Mari,” said Gwendolyn Jackson. “For me it’s a relief. I was due on Wednesday. I was just ready to see her.
Jackson, who works as an outpatient nurse at Medical Center Barbour, in Eufaula, arrived at Southeast Alabama Medical Center on Friday. She said Dr. Guy Middleton delivered her baby.
Even though it was Mariunah Antriese Long’s special day Jackson said she has five other children, four of which are now grown.
Her oldest daughter, 26-year-old Talyia Jackson, calls Mobile home. She also has a 24-year-old daughter called Larica Jackson, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Jackson also has two sons who are students at Alabama universities. Her oldest son, 21-year-old Deon Jackson attends the University of Alabama and 19-year-old Eddie Jackson attends Jacksonville State University.
Jackson also has three grandchildren.
“I have never had a pregnancy like hers. Hers was the roughest, and the longest. When she did decide to come out, that was it,” Jackson said. “I am 41, and I’m proud of my age. I am not ashamed.”
Mark Long said the birth made him a father for the fourth time. Long also has two sons, who include 13-year-old Marcellus Long and 7-year-old JaMaryan Long.
Long called the birth a planned pregnancy. The New Year’s Day birth gave the couple’s first daughter, 2-year-old Markyliah “Kyla” Long, a playmate.
“To me it means the completion of our family,” Long said.
The couple plans to bring their family even closer next month when Long said the couple plans to marry.
Jackson said she hadn’t planned on having a New Year’s baby.
“It’s like the Lord has it the way he wants it, because I wanted it another way,” Jackson said. “We were just honestly surprised that she was a New Year’s baby. I’m very happy.”
The couple hopes to return home to Eufaula on Tuesday.
“We lived in Georgetown, Ga., for a little while, and moved to Eufaula last year,” Jackson said.
Mark Long called the couple’s daughter a blessing.
“What better way to start off the New Year,” Long said. “To me it’s a sign of good things to come.”
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