A New Year A Few Families Will Always Remember
It's the best gift a parent can receive, and for some local couples, those little gifts came just in time for the start of a new year.
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"I looked up at the clock. It was 12:10. I said babe, it was after twelve. Come here."
Lauren Watkins and Rossi Bell didn't get to see the New Year's ball drop. They got something better.
"I'm just happy she's here."
Layah Bell came into this world at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday. By all accounts, Rochester's first baby of 2013.
"I'm excited. I didn't expect it to be this crazy,” Watkins said.
The date, for the happy couple, didn't carry a lot of weight.
"I didn't really care, actually. I just wanted her to be here."
Layah was actually due on January 6th. At seven pounds, two ounces, she was an early gift.
"It's a moment I'm not going to forget. It's New Year’s, but it's more special because it's my daughter's birthday,” said Rossi Bell.
Just down the hall at the Golisano Children's Hospital, Jason and Claire Cavo's family was about to grow.
"For sure, it started the year off right for us. We didn't know when he was coming for sure,” Jason said.
Also due on the 6th, Nolan Christensen Cavo too came early.
"Right around 11 o'clock on the 31st, I saw my tax exemption going past me, so I forgot about it quickly and we focused on her and the baby and we're happy he made it. It didn't matter what time it was," said Jason.
At nine pounds and an ounce, Nolan held on until 1:10 a.m. on the first; good enough for second.
"When I thought I'm gonna have it on the 31st, I was kind of hoping that it's going to be on the first,” said Claire. "I'm happy. As long as the baby's healthy, I'm happy with that."
Anyone ever lucky enough to witness the birth of their child knows how big a deal it is. Happy, healthy. For Layah's parents, that, above all, matters most.
"To me it's amazing. Share this moment right here with somebody you love. It's a blessing to bring into the New Year," Bell said.