Welcome N.J.’s first babies of 2022 – NJ.com
Hospitals across New Jersey on Saturday once again engaged in the joyful tradition of announcing the arrival of their New Year’s newborns.
More than 100,000 babies are born in New Jersey’s 51 birthing hospitals every year. But these little ones were among the first to arrive in 2022, according to hospital announcements.
The list that follows may be incomplete. Not every family welcomes the publicity that comes with a Jan. 1 birth date. But as of 3:30 p.m., a handful of hospitals were ready to share their good news.
Happy Birthday Keyla, Rudra, Mia, Zayden, Caden, Eve, Varnika, Raegan, Khelani and Ezra!
Keyla
Keyla, seen with her parents Maria and Jose Duchi, was born 12:02 a.m. at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, Jan. 1, 2022.
Keyla Duchi appears to be the first baby born in New Jersey this year.
Trinitas Regional Medical Center’s Dr. Hannah Seltzer, a resident, delivered her at 12:02 a.m. Keyla weighs 6 pounds., 15 ounces.
Her parents, Maria and Jose Duchi, are from Irvington.
Rudra
Rudra Rakhe was born at 12:02a.m. at Overlook Hospital. He is seen here with mom, Ambika N Nagar and dad, Rohit Rakhe.
Tying for first born in 2022, Rudra Rakhe arrived 12:02 a.m. at Overlook Medical Center, Summit.
His mom, Ambika N Nagar and dad, Rohit Rakhe welcomed the 6 pound, 10 ounce bundle of joy.
Mia
Mia Barsalona was born at 12:21 a.m. at Morristown Medical Center.
The daughter of Jessikah and Nick Barsalona, Mia weighs 4 pounds, 10 ounces.
Zayden
Zayden Sire Brimage was born at 12:37 a.m. at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
The doctor said Zayden Sire was due to arrive mid-January, but this baby had other ideas.
Zayden was born at 12:37 a.m. He weighs 5 pounds, 10 ounces.
He is the third child for Shonicee and Brian Brimage of Newark, who have a son and daughter eager to meet him.
Caden
Caden Nguyen Tran was born 12:58 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2022 at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital.
Caden Nguyen Tran arrived at 12:58 a.m. in the most welcome of surroundings — at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital, where his mother works as a medical-surgical nurse.
He weighs 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and is 20.5 inches long.
This is the second child for Linda Nguyen and Vankiet Tran of Pennsauken. The couple also has a 3-year-old daughter, Sofia.
Linda Nguyen offered thanks to OB/GYN Kelly Park, nurse midwife Jennifer Barraclough, and Labor & Delivery nurses Brigith Abreu, Alena Peterson and Colease Gamble for bringing Caden into the world.
“I want to share my appreciation for the awesome doctors, nurses and residents who made this experience so wonderful,” she said.
Eve
Eve Muhammad was born at 1:44 a.m. at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston.
Born to Andrea Anderson and Naseer Muhammad, Eve arrived at 1:44 a.m. at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
The baby weighs 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19-3/4 inches long.
“It was such a blessing welcoming our beautiful baby Eve into this New Year. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center,” Eve’s parents said.
Varnika
Varnika Gorre was born at St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick at 2:45 a.m. She is held by her mother, Bhavani Tiruveedula and her father, Jagan Babu Gorre of Edison.
Varnika Gorre, daughter of Bhavani Tiruveedula and Jagan Babu Gorre of Edison, arrived at 2:45 a.m.
She weighs 6 pounds, 15 ounces, according to St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Raegan
Raegan Jean was born at 3:51 a.m. Kaitlyn and Jordan of Hammonton at Virtua Voorhees Hospital.
Raegan arrived at 3:41 a.m., Virtua Voorhees Hospital announced.
Her parents, Kaitlyn and Jordan of Hammonton, gave her the middle name Jean to honor her grandmother.
Raegan weighs 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and is 21.5 inches long.
Khelani
Khelani was born at 4:05 a.m. at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland.
Khelani was born 4:05 a.m. at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland.
She weighs 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measures 18 ½ inches long.
Ezra
Ezra was born 4:30 a.m. at Holy Name in Teaneck.
Ezra was born 4:30 a.m. at Holy Name in Teaneck.
He weighs 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and is 20-1/2 inches long.
Ezra’s parents, Yamila & Ricardo are from Bergenfield. This is their second child; Leo is his big brother.
Dr. Paula Barcia-Pena delivered the baby, who wasn’t expected to arrive until Jan. 10.
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Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio.