DERRY — Peter Wilson III was the first.

After a few tentative knocks, hours earlier, baby Peter arrived to stay at 12:10 a.m., New Year's Day at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, becoming the first child born in the region.

Yesterday at 1 p.m., he slept at his mother's side in a cotton suit imprinted with ducks.

Mom Tiffanie Pelletier, 33, of Hampstead sat up in bed with an arm around her baby.

Proud dad Peter Wilson Jr., 46, sat bedside. Pelletier's daughter, 13-year-old Brittany, sat in bed next to her mom and new brother.

Grandfather Peter Wilson Sr. and grandmother Ginger Wilson sat nearby.

Labor pains brought Pelletier to the hospital three times yesterday. She was admitted on the last visit, and pushed in earnest.

"It was complete hell," she said. "But I'm fine now."

"From 11:30 to 12:10 it was rockin' and rollin'," said the baby's dad, who was there for the delivery.

Wilson, a concrete worker, drove from his job site in Lakeville, Mass., 21âÑ2 hours in a snowstorm to be with his wife after her first labor pains.

The 7-pound, 12-ounce boy was delivered by Dr. Wayne White. RNC Laura Ruths-Smith was the labor and delivery nurse.

The baby was due Dec. 27. Pelletier has been staying with her parents in Hampstead, who relied on a generator for seven days after the ice storm of early December knocked out power.

Pelletier works as a bartender at a Plaistow establishment — where she and Peter Wilson met three years ago. She plans to take two months off from work.

The new father just sold his house in Kingston. He will stay with his parents until he and Pelletier find a home to buy, he said.

Mom's wish for her baby is that he is happy. Dad's wish is for health and happiness.

Mom and baby plan to go home Saturday.

The first baby born from the Merrimack Valley was a girl, Masyn Bean.

The 8-pound, 2-ounce baby was born at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport at 7:53 a.m., to Josephine Rigattieri, 24. The dad is Isaiah Bean, 25.

Mom and dad live in Haverhill.

Masyn was due Dec. 29.

"I'm just excited she's finally here," Bean said.

Mother and daughter are doing well, he said, and they expect to go home Sunday.

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