Jimmie Jordan and his wife Karen had plans to spend New Year’s Eve 2005 at a Detroit casino. Instead, the couple spent the night welcoming Lucas County’s first baby of 2006.
Jordan said he didn’t believe the news at first when the nurse told him.
“They have a way of finding things out,” he said. “When I first heard, I thought they were just joking. As time went on and they convinced me that this was the actual truth, I was very happy. We were both happy, my wife and I. We were excited. It was a history-making moment, actually.”
Jordan said he thought of his newborn as a celebrity, in a way.
“It was a pretty iconic moment,” he said.
Karen was a week overdue, so her going into labor wasn’t much of a surprise. Jordan said the hospital was not crowded or hectic at all.
Romeo Jordan, who weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, was born at Mercy St. Anne Hospital shortly after midnight and less than an hour after the couple arrived at the hospital.
“He was ready to come on out,” Jordan said.
Romeo was the 10th baby for the couple, who has since gone on to have two more, for a total of 12 children. Jordan said he always wanted to have a big family and thinks Romeo will too one day.
“He has very big concerns with family,” Jordan said. “Any family function we have, he always wants to be there. … He’s going to be a family man, I know it.”
Romeo is currently in the first grade and likes to play football and basketball. His father said he has a lot of energy.
“He’s pretty lively,” Jordan said.
