First babies of the new year arrive in the New York area
NEW HYDE PARK, Long Island (WABC) -- A baby born on Long Island only seconds after midnight is believed to be the first baby born in 2019 in the Tri-State area, and perhaps in New York State.
The baby boy was born seven seconds into the new year at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park to Eli and Adina Derdik of Kew Gardens Hills. It's the couple's second child.
Adina Derdik, 24, admits although the Times Square celebration was on the television in her room while she was in labor, she wasn't giving much thought to having the first baby of the new year.
She recalled a large celebratory spirit in her delivery room, however.
"We had a whole cheering squad, the ball dropping in the background, and, yeah, it was a lot of adrenaline and excitement and cheering," she said.
Eli Derdik said he kept watching the clock.
"Once the baby came out that's really all I could focus on," he said.
The Derdiks will not name their baby boy until the eighth day of his life, in accordance with the Jewish faith. The baby has earned the nickname in the maternity ward of "007."
Adina Derdik said having her baby on New Year's Day is a special way to embark on a new year. "It's exciting to start it off in an exciting way with this blessing," she said.
New Year's Day is the time of year when most hospitals celebrate their first born babies of the new year.
At Staten Island University Hospital it was Dion Karpuzi born 30 seconds after midnight.
At Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, parents Rochelle Monroe and Josean Lewis of Amityville welcomed son Kairo Lewis into the world at 12:08 a.m.
The first baby of 2019 in the New York City hospital system was born at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem.
A girl, Génesis Elisa Noriega, was born to Maria Contreras and Gabino Noriega, of Harlem.
The child, weighing in at 7 pounds 8 ounces, arrived at 12:56 a.m.
Genesis is the couple's third child.
Stony Brook University Hospital's first baby clocked in at 1:26 a.m. The baby girl was born to Ketan and Hetal Patel of Stony Brook.
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