ORLANDO, Fla. – Some parents in Central Florida celebrated more than just the new year on Thursday.
AdventHealth and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies welcomed its first babies born in 2026.
At Winnie Palmer, Hailey Vargas was born at 12:41 a.m., weighing 7 pounds and 10 ounces. Hailey is the daughter of Rosairy Berroa and Yessie Vargas.
At AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport, the hospital welcomed Irish Jeyliani Escobar, who was born at midnight at 6 pounds, 2 ounces and stretching 19 inches long at birth. She is the daughter of parents Jenny and Oscar Escobar.
Finally, at AdventHealth Orlando, baby boy Amiri Kingston Smith was born at 12:23 a.m., weighing 7 pounds and 2 ounces. Amiri is the son of Tara Williams and Dontray Smith.
The couple did not expect their New Year’s Eve to end at the hospital. Williams says she initially went to a medical facility in Ocala to have her baby checked after noticing something was off.
“What started as a routine check turned into about three hours before I was told I would be transferred to Orlando,” Williams said. “From there, everything took off.”
Smith says their son already shows a mix of both parents’ features.
“He looks more like her,” Smith said. “He’s got my nose, her lips and chin, and a head full of hair.”
While many families are starting the year focused on goals and resolutions, Williams and Smith say their focus has shifted to embracing parenthood.
“New year. New life. New us,” Smith said. “We’re going to try to raise him right.”
They say their excited to take their newborn home. They’re also grateful for the unexpected start to the year and excited about the journey ahead.
“Now that he’s here; it’s just a whole other scenario,” Williams said. “We’re excited and happy.”
Congratulations!