Ember Zita was the first baby born at Piedmont Newnan Hospital in 2023, arriving at 2:26 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Coweta County’s 2023 New Year’s baby was welcomed by mom Alexis and dad Scott and is currently being doted upon by big brother Phoenix, 6, at the family’s Warm Springs home.
“He’s excited,” Alexis said. “Anything he can do for her, he’s ready to help.”
Phoenix has not had too much to do for little Ember yet, according to mom.
“She’s pretty calm unless she’s wanting something to eat,” Alexis said. She’s been a really good baby. She doesn’t really cry too much, just sits here and chills out with you. We just have to get the hang of what to do with the pacifier now.”
A congenital heart defect complicated Ember’s birth, according to her mom, but the hospital’s staff and specialists helped make the experience a positive one.
“I was really worried about it this time,” Alexis said. “The delivery itself was kind of rough. But everybody was really great. I appreciate the support of the doctors and nurses, the NICU, the heart specialists and everybody at the hospital. Everybody was really great, and I just want to commend the hospital for their excellent staff.”
Alexis said Ember is doing very well despite being a “heart baby,” but the new mom said she is still in shock because she did not expect to give birth to Coweta’s first baby of 2023.
“Everybody kept telling me I was going to have the New Year’s baby, but I didn’t believe it,” Alexis said. “I really thought she was going to be born Dec. 31. But it’s been the best way to start off a new year. It’s been great.”
