Monterey County's First Baby of 2020 Baby Isaac Born at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

Melissa Rangel and husband Edger Valdez got two surprises to start the New Year, one was the birth of their new son. The couple’s third child arrived a week early and became the first baby born in Monterey County in 2020. Baby Isaac came into the world at 1:23 this morning at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds, seven ounces and is 19 inches long.

“We didn’t expect him until January 7th,” said Salinas mother Melissa Rangel. “He’s beautiful and we feel very blessed.”

Thanks to FaceTime, Isaac has already met his older siblings waiting for him at home. 4 year old brother Mateo and 3 year old sister Emma were also born at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center.

“Even though we lived in King City when they were born, we made sure I came to this hospital to deliver,” said Melissa. “As a women, it’s a very vulnerable time and the staff here is so good. They take care of us and the nurses are very thoughtful in everything they do.”

About 1700 babies a year are born at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center. “This is one of my favorite places in the hospital,” says Hospital spokesperson Karina Rusk. “It feels extra special when we deliver the first baby of the New Year and in this case, Isaac is Monterey County’s first baby of a new decade.”

The January first date is extra special for Isaac’s parents. It also happens to be the couple’s wedding anniversary, which is the second surprise about Isaac’s early arrival. “We never expected to have him be the first baby of the New Year,” said dad Edger Valdez. “But for his birthday to be the same day as our anniversary, what are the odds of that?”

Both parents say their family is now complete, and unless there are any more surprises, their final count for children born at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center will hold steady at three.

Editor note: Photo attached: Left to right: Edger Valdez, Isaac Valdez, and Melissa Rangel