First babies of 2024 arrive Monday at Norton, University of Louisville hospitals

Eleanor McCrary, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·2 min read
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Emily and Josiah Simon with their newborn baby, Amara.
Emily and Josiah Simon with their newborn baby, Amara.

The first babies of 2024 have arrived. At least four children were born in the early Monday morning hours around Louisville and southern Indiana.

Amara Simon came into the world just 9 minutes into the New Year, at 12:09 a.m., to parents Emily and Josiah Simon of Ramsey, Indiana at Norton Clark Hospital, according to a release from Norton Healthcare.

Yanitza Heredia Natal and Rodolfo Bol Argon holding their baby, Skylynn Bol Heredia.
Yanitza Heredia Natal and Rodolfo Bol Argon holding their baby, Skylynn Bol Heredia.

Just an hour and a half later, Skylynn Bol Heredia was born at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital to parents Yanitza Heredia Natal and Rodolfo Bol Argon.

Haley Craft gazing at her newborn child, Dakota Sky.
Haley Craft gazing at her newborn child, Dakota Sky.

Then at 5:26 a.m., Louisvillian Haley Craft gave birth to Dakota Sky at Norton Hospital — and 14 minutes later, less than a mile away, Jesse and Desmond Gibbs welcomed their son, Kobe, into the world after over a day of labor.

Kobe was the first baby born at the University of Louisville Hospital this year and was five days past his due date, Jesse Gibbs told the Courier Journal.

Jesse and Desmond Gibbs with their son, Kobe.
Jesse and Desmond Gibbs with their son, Kobe.

"It was kind of funny," she said. "My sister came in saying, 'Well, if he's not going to be a tax baby for 2023, at least he can be the first baby of 2024 (at the hospital).’ And we laughed about it, and then it turned out to be true."

The New Year's baby weighed in at 10 pounds, 5 ounces and was 22 1/4 inches long.

His parents hope he will be the biggest baby born at the University of Louisville Hospital this year, in addition to the first, they joked.

Kobe Gibbs, the first baby born at the University of Louisville Hospital in 2024.
Kobe Gibbs, the first baby born at the University of Louisville Hospital in 2024.

“Starting off the new year with a precious young one is an inspiring way to ring in 2024,” said Lisa Bunnell, manager of labor and delivery at UofL Health. “We thank all the moms and dads for allowing our team to share their exciting expansion of their family.”

The university hospital had more than 1,800 deliveries in 2023.

Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital sees more births a year than any other hospital in the state, according to a release. Norton's three birthing locations deliver more than 9,100 babies a year.

Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: First babies of 2024 arrive Monday at local hospitals