HAPPY NEW YEAR: SIKESTON COUPLE PARENTS OF FIRST BABY OF 1999

Having a husband who works in the medical field was reassuring during the 20 hours of labor that preceded the birth of their first child New Year's Day, Cicely Matheney says.

"He could answer a lot of questions. He was nice and calm."

Her husband, Beuse, doesn't recall feeling that way.

"I almost broke down and shed a tear when he came," he said. "I guess I held back."

Beuse Scott Matheney III was born at 2 a.m. Friday, the first baby of 1999 born at Southeast Missouri Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds. 7 ounces.

His parents are from Sikeston. Both work at Missouri Delta Medical Center, she as a receptionist and he as a cardiovascular technician. She is 25, he is 27.

"I didn't want my co-workers looking at me," she said of their decision to have the baby at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Cicely's labor began at 6 a.m. New Year's Eve, but she remained at home for much of the time.

Beuse and Cicely's mother, Betty Holder of Cairo, Ill., were present during the delivery.

"It's an amazing thing to see a baby born," he said.

"I was just glad it was over," Cicely said.

He went home to Sikeston for some sleep at 5 a.m. and returned at 1 p.m. Friday.

She was still a bit drowsy then. "I'm still drowsy, too," the smiling father said.

The baby was sleeping placidly next to them.

They already had talked about having one more child, but at some point during her 20 hours of labor Cicely considered changing her mind. "Last night I was saying no more," she said.

Cicely plans to leave the hospital today and will take six weeks of maternity leave from her job. She expects the child will bring big changes to their lives. "It's no more just us," Cicely said.

The hospital gave the couple a blanket, an engraved silver cup and flowers.

Asked what their hopes are for their son, Cicely laughed and said, "The opposite of most of the kids today."

"I just hope for him to be a good kid and to be whatever he wants to be," the father of Beuse Scott Matheney III said.