Central Jersey claims first baby of New Year

Cheryl Makin, MyCentralJersey.com

Central Jersey may claim the very first baby of 2024.

Parents Jessica Johanna Cardona-Giraldo and Esteban Josue Aguirre Monterrosa of Dunellen welcomed their New Year's Baby - daughter Belen Aguirre Cardona - at 12:01 a.m. at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Parents Jessica Johanna Cardona-Giraldo and Esteban Josue Aguirre Monterrosa of Dunellen welcomed their New Year's Baby - daughter Belen Aguirre Cardona - at 12:01 a.m. at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick.

The New Year came in with a bang at 12:01 a.m. for parents Jessica Johanna Cardona-Giraldo and Esteban Josue Aguirre Monterrosa of Dunellen. The parents welcomed their little firecracker − daughter Belen Aguirre Cardona − just a hair after midnight at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick. The little girl weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces. She is the couple's first child.

"We are so happy to have had a healthy baby to start the New Year," said the new parents, adding that Belen was due Jan. 3. "And we are very thankful to all of the staff at Saint Peter’s University Hospital for making us feel so comfortable and showing us such caring and love. We’ll definitely come back again to have another baby because this is a great hospital and we received amazing care."

Parents Jessica Johanna Cardona-Giraldo and Esteban Josue Aguirre Monterrosa of Dunellen welcomed their New Year's Baby - daughter Belen Aguirre Cardona - at 12:01 a.m. at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Parents Jessica Johanna Cardona-Giraldo and Esteban Josue Aguirre Monterrosa of Dunellen welcomed their New Year's Baby - daughter Belen Aguirre Cardona - at 12:01 a.m. at Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick welcomed its Baby New Year at 1:05 a.m. The family comes from Lakewood.

In Hunterdon County, Gabino and Maria Gonzalez of Pittstown welcomed their third child, a girl, at 2:07 a.m. at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington. The baby weighed 6 pounds 7.2 ounces and was 19 inches long.

More: These are New Jerseyans' most popular New Year's resolutions

The Jersey shore rang it its New Year with the arrival of Maren DiMicco, a baby girl born at 12:11 a.m. at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Maren is the daughter of Nicole and Chris DiMicco of Forked River. Baby Maren weighs 5 pounds and 11 ounces.

The New Year down the shore began with Maren DiMicco, a baby girl born at 12:11 a.m., making her entrance at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Maren is the daughter of Nicole and Chris DiMicco of Forked River.
The New Year down the shore began with Maren DiMicco, a baby girl born at 12:11 a.m., making her entrance at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Maren is the daughter of Nicole and Chris DiMicco of Forked River.

At Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, their New Year’s baby was born at 2:12 a.m. Maria Manganti of Newark gave birth to a girl named Scarlette Manganti, weighing in at 7 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long.

At Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, their New Year’s baby was born at 2:12 a.m. Maria Manganti of Newark gave birth to a girl, weighing in at 7 lbs 5 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long.
At Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, their New Year’s baby was born at 2:12 a.m. Maria Manganti of Newark gave birth to a girl, weighing in at 7 lbs 5 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long.

According to the hospital, Manganti is "feeling good" and although she hasn’t given her daughter a name yet, she can’t wait to bring her newest bundle of joy home to meet the baby's two older brothers.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Central Jersey claims first baby of New Year

Advertisement