SAN DIEGO (KGTV)-- Each year, about 8,000 babies are born at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital. But only one family gets to claim that their baby was the first to be born there that year.
Melissa and Nicolas Hawke are parents again. In their arms, they lovingly hold their 6-pound 8-ounce bundle of joy, Delmar.
"I totally was thinking she was going to be born on the 31st, anywhere around 8 PM to 10 PM," mother Melissa said.
But little Delmar decided to linger a little longer.
"It was about 11:50 when the nurse was like, 'You know, I think we're ready to push,' And she came at 12:05!" Melissa said.
After 39 weeks of swimming in Mommy's belly, twelve hours of labor, and four pushes later, out she came. Delmar became the first baby born at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in 2021.
"She didn't want to be the last baby born in 2020," Melissa said. "She decided on her own that she wanted to be born [as] the first baby in 2021, so I thought that was cool."
Cool, although looking back, it was a tough few months.
"It was an odd time, I guess, to go through a pregnancy," father Nicholas said.
The entire pregnancy was spent under COVID-19 quarantine.
"It's a little scary to know that there is a virus going around that we could catch and possibly pass on to our little one," Melissa said. "That was the scary part."
With no visitors allowed, the couple says pregnancy and delivery were a bit more intimate. But they say they cannot wait to get home to introduce Delmar to big sister, three-year-old Charlie Rose.
"She wants us to come home, like now. She's super excited!" Melissa said.
The Hawkes say they are excited to celebrate with their loved ones and ring in a new year with their New Years' baby as a family of four.
"We love you guys and we miss you guys," the couple said. "We can't wait to see you again, eventually!"
