NORFOLK, Va. — What would New Year's Day be without welcoming the first babies of 2024 in Hampton Roads to enter our world?
The first reported so far was born right at midnight at Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk! While it's a cause for celebration, Sentara said the family asked not to have their information shared publicly.
Then at 12:55 a.m., Eliana Gonzalez was born at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center's BirthPlace, the healthcare system said. Eliana weighs 6 pounds, 12.3 ounces, and is 18.5 inches long. Both she and her parents, Erika and Nathan, are Chesapeake residents.
A few minutes later, Riverside Health System said their first baby was born at 1:03 a.m. at Riverside Regional Medical Center. Riverside officials say the Daphne Britt Godwin came in weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and 20 inches in length. Both mom and baby are said to be doing great.
The next baby to ring in the new year was at 2:28 a.m. at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, although Sentara said that the family also did not want to share any information publicly.
However, Sentara said their next baby, Shine Johnson-Minton, was born at 9:20 a.m. at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. The baby boy arrived nine days early to parents Cherrelle Minton and Maurice Johnson!
Meanwhile, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth also celebrated the new year with the hospital's first baby being born on New Year's Day. Both parents are sailors! Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Petty Officer (IT2) Angelina Nguyen, stationed at Naval Special Warfare Group Four (NSWG4), gave birth to Mahina at 5:08 a.m. on the first day of the new year. Her husband, IT2 Kevin Nguyen, stationed at Beach Master Unit (BMU) 2, was at his wife’s side when she received the First Baby Born 2024 basket provided each year by The Oakleaf Club of Tidewater.
We wish to extend our warmest welcome to these bouncing bundles of joy and congratulate their parents, as well as everyone experiencing the arrival of a new child today.
