Couple rings in New Year with newborn baby

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Having a child is always magical especially if it is your first. But having your first child on New Year’s Day, now that calls for a celebration.

Wilmington parents Heather and David Moore kicked off the new year with a baby boy named Harrison.

They were the first at Betty H. Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and New Hanover County, to have a child in 2018.

“It’s been a long wait, it feels amazing,” Heather said. “It was very surreal but it’s awesome.”

“It’s a good way to kick off 2018,” David said.

Heather was not due until January 7 so they were not expecting a New Year baby. However, due to health reasons she was induced Saturday.

“No I actually thought we’d probably have him on New Year’s Eve,” Heather said. “But that didn’t happen.”

“We were hoping for the tax break for 2017 but we missed it by about three hours,” David said.

But once they were in the running for the first New Year baby, things quickly changed.

“Once we found out he was going to be close to being the first baby of New Years we were kinda gunning for him,” David said. “We were gunning for him to be number one.”

Harrison’s parents are both gunning for him to be number one in all his future endeavors.

“He’s gonna be a fisherman number one. We’re gonna teach him how to clean a boat,” David said. “And I’m sure he’ll be a hunter as well. We’re gonna teach him sports but whatever he wants to do we’re going to back him and help him be successful.”

Heather and David hope Harrison grows up to be an honorable young man.

“Just hope that he is a respectful boy,” Heather said. “And that he’s happy and healthy for the next ten New Years to come!”

Harrison is the couple’s first baby and it may, or may not, stay that way.

“After last night he might be an only child,” Heather said. “We need a few years. Laughter.”

“There will be discussions down the road,” David said.”

Although Harrison was born on a holiday, the Moore’s plan to make his birthdays extra special.

Heather and David hope to take Harrison home tomorrow.

So far there have been at least two New Year babies, including Harrison, born at Betty H. Cameron Women’s and Children’s Hospital.