Billy Coronado had one last chance to have a quiet night at home.
The expectant mom invited a few friends and opted to celebrate New Year’s Eve with CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.
“We didn’t watch the countdown. We watched the countdown in New York, but then we ended up going to sleep,” Coronado said. “We were tired.”
But just a few hours after midnight, Coronado and her boyfriend, Kobe Lear, started another countdown—the time between contractions.
The Fox Lake couple welcomed the “first blessing of the year”: a 7-pound, 3-ounce baby boy who was born at 5:12 a.m. Sunday at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital.
As one of the first babies of 2023, Devin Lear has been showered with attention and media coverage. He arrived two weeks premature with camera-ready black hair, just like his mom. All in all, not bad for your first day on Earth.
“We are healthy and doing well,” Devin’s mom said.
Other suburban hospitals were busy greeting the children of the new year and the future members of the high school class of 2041.
At 12:37 a.m., Lopa and Aashish Vyas became parents to their 6-pound, 10-ounce bundle of joy, Aalora, at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
At 12:45 p.m. the first child, a boy, was born at Northshore Evanston Hospital. He is the first child of Faraz and Ruhauddin. The Palatine Parents haven’t chosen a name yet.
Mundelein parents Kevin and Celine Hernandez kicked off the new year with their baby, Andrew, who was born at 2:07 a.m. at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
Lilliana Xiomara Reza Sarmiento was born at 2:38 am at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin. Mom Monserrate Sarmiento’s daughter and dad Brian Reda’s daughter has recorded her arrival at 6 pounds, 3 ounces,
At 11:52 a.m., Anna and Jonathon Flores gave birth to their first child, a 7-pound, 7-ounce boy, at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva. His parents have not yet chosen a name.
Sofia Sanchez Olmedo was born at 2:06 PM to parents Theodora Olmedo and Jose Sanchez from Hebron at Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital. Sofia is their eighth child.
Coronado’s growing family received a gift basket donated by the Patient and Family Advisory Board of Lake Forest Hospital filled with diapers, wipes, blankets, newborn outfits, toys and stuffed animals. Devin seemed oblivious to the commotion.
“Cat naps here and there,” said Coronado, who was stealing a cat.
Sleeping will be a luxury for proud parents. Devin has an older sister, one-year-old Gianna. The siblings were born just 13 months apart.
“I’m so excited to take him home with my daughter, and see my daughter’s reaction, and see how she’ll behave. Then I’m raising a little boy and a little girl,” Coronado said.
As a mom of two young children, Coronado sets realistic New Year’s resolutions.
“It’s going to be busy, so just try not to get overwhelmed,” she said.