As of 7:59 p.m. on July 1, 75,000 babies have been born at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.

The landmark baby, Tristan David James Bachmeier, has received a basket filled with baby items and a one-of-a-kind baby blanket with the St. Alexius logo and "75,000th baby" printed on it. Tristan is the first child of Ashley and Todd Bachmeier of Carson, and the number only adds to their excitement.

"We didn't know until the next day," Ashley Bachmeier said. "It's very exciting."

Tristan, now only a few days old, has met with the 60,000th baby born, Chris Ottemoeler, and the 70,000th baby born, Andrew Neigum. Ottemoeler was born in November 1994, and Andrew was born in May 2004. Both are from Bismarck.

"I was so surprised," said Kelli Neigum, Andrew's mother. "We had no idea they were even keeping track."

All three landmark babies have been boys, and since St. Alexius Medical Center delivers 1,200 babies a year, it shouldn't be long until the next big number baby.

- Kay Kemmet