Awaiting his arrival were gifts from the community to be enjoyed by the whole family:

* A one-hour massage from Sydney Webb;

* A radiant facial from Anne Nixon of Wilderness Garden Day Spa;

* A gift certificate from the Homer Bookstore;

* Cloth diaper covers, a wet bag and a ring sling from Irene Root of Something New Creations;

* $50 from Homer Elks Lodge;

* A large stuffed bear from Timeless Toys;

* A champagne, wine and cheese basket from the Grog Shop;

* A handmade hat and baby blanket from Anne Gangle;

* Books, DVD, changing pad and gift certificate from the Infant Learning Center;

* Thymes baby gift box from Northwind;

* Books from The Other Book Club;

* Wool baby booties from Homer Jeans;

* And a basket of baby goods from South Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary.

"There was a race for (the year's) first baby," Tallee Boyd said. "I had two friends due around the first of January, but they delivered around Christmas so they were out of the running."

Being on time is nothing new in the Boyd family. Briar set the standard when she arrived exactly on the date she was due: July 6.

The first signs that Cohen's arrival was quickly approaching began around 2 a.m.

At 8 a.m., Tallee, an emergency room nurse at SPH, and Jason, an electrician, decided to head to the hospital, leaving Briar under the care of family friends.

By 5 p.m., the Boyds -- complete with Briar in her new "Big Sister" T-shirt, Cohen sporting a blue knit cap, and a stack of gifts -- were preparing to leave the hospital for home.

Although Cohen was SPH's first 2009 birth, a second infant arrived a few hours later. The daughter of Andrei Tsyganenko and Deborah Moseley -- Ekaterina -- made her appearance at 3:52 p.m.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.