Members of the Long family are Lexi, from left, Alivia, mother Anna with infant Reece, Robbie, father Andy with 18-month-old Ava and Abbi. (CONTRIBUTED)

Lexi Long holds her brother Reece, who was born on Jan. 13, 2014. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – On July 24, 2012, Ava Long was born at Madison Hospital. Ava was the 24th baby born after the hospital opened that February.

Only 18 months later, the Long family once again chose Madison Hospital for its latest arrival, Reece Allen Long. Reece was born Jan. 13, 2014. He weighed eight pounds, five ounces and was 21 inches long.

Reece and Ava’s parents are Anna and Andy Long of Athens. “Reece is doing great,” Anna said.

“With Ava, we chose Madison Hospital because it’s close to Athens,” Anna said. “We returned for the birth of Reece because we had a good experience with Ava.” Dr. Jeanine M. Loncar, an obstetrician/gynecologist with Clinic for Women, delivered Reece.

The Longs described the staff at Madison Hospital as kind and caring. “It’s so personal here. Everyone knows you by name,” she said.

Ava and Reece have four siblings: Lexi, 15; Abbi, 13; Alivia, 10; and Robbie, 8. All of the Long children are home-schooled.

“Anna Long stated that her labors typically go pretty quickly. Her labor with Reece was a little longer than the others,” Pam Sparks said. Sparks works as manager of media and public relations for Huntsville Hospital.

The family is handling the added pressure of having a newborn at home with the demands an 18-month-old toddler, Sparks said.

Andy Long is a native of Iowa, while Anna grew up in Nebraska. Five years ago, the family relocated to Athens with Andy’s job. “An aunt and uncle live in Decatur, and Anna’s parents moved to Athens three years ago to be near their family,” Sparks said.

“More than 500 babies have been born at Madison Hospital since the maternity department opened in June 2012,” Sparks said.

To schedule a tour of the maternity department, call 256-265-7296. For a list of tour dates and to register online, visit madisonALhospital.org/maternity, Facebook/MadisonHospitalFan or Twitter: @MadisonHospital.