KENTUCKY — Families from around the Bluegrass state started their year with the gift of life early this morning as hospitals in Louisville and Lexington announced their first babies of 2021 early this morning.

Louisville's Norton Women and Children's Hospital announced that its first 2021 baby was born at 12:56 a.m. Parents Mariah and Andrew Bomar rang in the new year with their new bundle of joy, Harlee Jo Bomar.

Harlee Jo Bomar // COURTESY NORTON HEALTHCARE

A few minutes before that, a family at UofL Hospital's Center for Women and Infants welcomed their baby boy to the world. Elidya and Martin Andres said hello to their son, Matios Sanchez Andres at 12:30 a.m.

Matios Sanchez Andres // COURTESY UofL HEALTH
In Lexington, the Women's Hospital at Saint Joseph East welcomed its first baby of 2021 at 3:31 a.m. Friday. Catelynn Helm and Michael Jacob Meredith from Dunnville, Ky., welcomed a baby boy. He weighed 6 lbs. and 3 oz. and was 19 inches long.

Every year, Saint Joseph East works with local businesses to create a "welcome wagon" for the first baby born in the new year — often including gift cards, diapers, and wipes.

Catelynn Helm and Michael Jacob Meredith's baby boy. // COURTESY SAINT JOSEPH EAST
“Welcoming the first baby of the new year is always exciting,” said Joan Morrin, nurse manager for women’s care and newborn nursery. “At The Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East, we are honored to care for our patients and their families throughout the entire maternity process."