Editor’s note: This story was updated Jan. 6
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital was proud to announce the birth of the first newborn of 2021 at the hospital this past weekend.
Veronica Hernandez and Daniel Garcia welcomed their daughter, Adelynn, as the newest addition to the family on Jan. 2 at 7:52am, according to Public Relations Director Frankie Gallagher.
Gallagher said in a press release issued on Jan. 5 that, “their little bundle of joy” weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and is 20 inches long. Adelynn was delivered by Dr. Ralph Armstrong.
Hernandez, 28, and Garcia, 27, were both excited that their daughter had the distinction of being the first baby of the new year at the hospital.
“I know when I was in labor the nurse was like, ‘Let’s have the first baby of the year.’ It was such a big deal,” Hernandez said. “It was exciting, definitely very exciting that she gets all this recognition and all the spotlight, this little tiny celebrity.”
Adelynn’s big brother, Jace, is going to share the same birthday with his little sister, which wasn’t planned to happen that way. The two siblings had their first encounter on Sunday but it took them a while before they got to meet.
Jace celebrated his 2nd birthday on the same day his sister was born but Garcia said they weren’t able to celebrate with him because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Hernandez had to get tested for the coronavirus and she tested negative. But, Garcia wasn’t allowed to leave the building and then come back inside.
“One of the things that was in the back of my mind is we left our son with grandparents and we were there for almost four days,” he said. “All in all, the staff was really good with us and we just made the most of it.”
Hernandez said there was a little bit of concern because they were inside a hospital during a time of a pandemic. However, she felt they kept the place cleaned and sanitized throughout their entire stay.
Gallagher said the staff in the hospital’s maternal child unit presented the family with a gift basket and gift certificates to celebrate the occasion.
“It is always an honor for a hospital to deliver the 1st baby of a New Year,” Hazel Hawkins CEO Steven Hannah said. “On behalf of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, I wish the Hernandez/Garcia family a wonderful 2021.”
