By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
Jupiter Scott McElfresh was welcomed into the world this week at the Yukon hospital.
While the delivery of this newborn was just like thousands of others at INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital (ICVH), it was Jupiter’s arrival date that stood out above the rest.
Mother Nevada Joe and father Dalton James were thrilled to see their second child born at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 at the hospital, 1201 Health Center Parkway.
That’s right, Jupiter is a “2-22-22 baby”.
“It’s just special,” Nevada shared. “We’re definitely glad she came on that date. We thought we were going to go into labor a little bit earlier than that, though.
“We were scheduled to induce, but we didn’t think we were going to make it. About a month out, we thought we were going to go early.”
But Jupiter did indeed arrive on 2-22-22, weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches.
The newborn came home about 2 p.m. Feb. 23 after being discharged from the hospital, joining older sister Claribel James. Claribel shares a birthday (March 31, 2017) with her aunt and great uncle.
“Jupiter is really doing pretty good,” her mother reported Thursday morning. “She slept quite a bit last night, thankfully. She was up a lot that first night in the hospital.”
Jupiter looks just like her big sister.
“She’s definitely got a way bigger attitude, though,” mom Nevada noted. “Jupiter lets you know when she’s hungry. She wants it right now!”
Both McElfresh babies were delivered by Dr. Joseph Mitro, a board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) practicing at INTEGRIS Canadian Valley in Yukon.
“I love him … he is fantastic!” Nevada proclaimed.
She described the hospital’s doctors and nurses as “amazing” and “phenomenal.”
The McElfresh family lives in El Reno, where Jupiter’s dad works at NAPA Auto Parts and her mom waits tables on weekends. They also care for foster children.
Dalton grew up in Wellston before moving to El Reno at age 13. Nevada grew up in Mustang.
They started dating in September 2013 and were married on July 4, 2015, buying a home in June 2016.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Interestingly, Nevada McElfresh had wanted “Jupiter” as the name of their baby girl born nearly five years ago.
“Jupiter was originally a name I had put on the list with our first child, but Dalton and I fought over names until we were over 30 weeks,” she explained.
Dalton had favored a seldom-used name and suggested Annabelle and Isabella before the couple settled on Claribel. That was the middle name of Nevada’s late grandmother.
The McElfreshes learned on Aug. 6, 2021, they would be having their second girl. Remarkably, it was Dalton who suggested the name Jupiter this time.
“I jumped on it since it was my top pick for our first child,” Nevada said.
Jupiter’s middle name was a tougher choice.
“Nothing sounded good,” her mom said. “We asked Dalton’s cousin for permission to use ‘Scott’ because his dad was William Scott, and he passed away when Clairbel was only six months old. Dalton was really close with them.”
Jupiter will get to celebrate a unique birthday each year – 2-22-22.
“As soon as I learned our estimated due date, I was shooting for that date,” Nevada added. “We have been very lucky to welcome our beautiful daughters into the world on such special dates and cannot wait to see who they grow to be.
“We expect them to be unique, and our oldest one definitely has been. I’m sure this one will be just as crazy, wild and perfect as well!”
