Early to the party

( James Mann | jmann@winchestersun.com )

Clark Regional Medical Center rang in the new year with the first baby of 2012 born to Rachel and Allan Retske of Cedar Lake, Ind., at 5:20 p.m. Jan. 1. Cade Retske surprised both his parents, who were visiting aunt and uncle Jim and Wanda Criggall in Winchester, when Rachel went into labor. Rachel Retske said she visited her physician Friday before traveling the five hours to Winchester and showed no signs of labor. Cade¿s due date was Jan. 23. The parents had to buy a new car seat, bottles, diapers and other necessities so the baby could travel safely back home. The couple has one other child, 2-year-old Ava Retske. Rachel Retske called her daughter a ¿trooper¿ for handling the surprise. The family praised the staff at Clark Regional Medical Center for making them feel comfortable despite being away from home. The Retskes will return to Indiana today. Cade weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and was 19 inches long. He is pictured here with his parents and sister.