Smock couple rings in new year with first baby
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Robert James Schoonover and his hours-old son, Theodore James, share a moment on New Year’s Day after Theodore was the first baby born in 2017 at Uniontown Hospital at 7:32 a.m. Sunday.
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Ten-hour-old Theodore James Schoonover is changed into his new onesie with mom Hannah Speer, and dad Robert Schoonover. “Theo” dawdled for a week past his due date before making his appearance at 7:32 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Robert Schoonover of Smock takes his newborn son, Theodore James Schoonover, from fiancée Hannah Speer in their room at Uniontown Hospital. Theodore was born at 7:32 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
Theodore James Schoonover is No. 1.
The eight-pound, 12-ounce baby boy is the first child of Robert Schoonover and his fiancee, Hannah Speer, both of Smock, and is also the first baby of 2017 to be born at Uniontown Hospital.
The baby was delivered by Dr. Lawrence Glad at 7:32 a.m. Sunday. Speer said she was due Dec. 26 and scheduled to be induced on Tuesday when Theodore decided he was ready to enter the world.
“It’s definitely a way to ring in the new year,” said Robert. “This means extra presents.”
Hannah said the couple had a baby pool with their families for the exact delivery date. Robert selected Monday and Hannah told them she was giving them a baby for Christmas.
Robert is originally from Detroit, Michigan, and Hannah, from New Port Richey, Florida. The couple met in Traverse City, Michigan, and moved to the area in August when Robert took a pipeline job.
According to Robert, the couple wanted to give their son a strong name for whatever he may encounter in life.
“He came out with a quite a set of lungs,” chuckled Robert.
Baby name websites list Theodore as Greek in origin with the meaning divine gift.
Common nicknames include Ted, Teddy, and Theo, which Robert said his son has already been given by his grandparents and other family members. “My dad calls him Thor,” Hannah said.
Theodore received the same middle name as Robert and his father with his mother calling his son “T.J.”
Theodore also shares his name with U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who the “teddy bear” was named after.
Other famous Theodores spelled without the “e” include German philosopher Theodor Adorno and Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Suess.
With his family also having a German background, Robert is hoping his son will inherit some of his features when he gets older.
For now, one thing Robert said he and his son do have in common is that his birthday is also on the first, but in June.
While Theodore may be their first child, Hannah said she would like to have a big family with five or six children as Robert is the oldest of six siblings.