She didn’t exactly arrive with the ringing of the bells New Year’s morn, but Zarrea Tanae Nathan is officially the first baby of the New Year in Demopolis.

Zarrea was born Jan. 3, 2005 at 10:41 a.m. at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, where being the first baby of the New Year has its perks.

Mother Joevonia Thompson barely had room for herself and Zarrea Tuesday as the delivery suite was filled with gifts donated by local merchants and churches. Nearly 100 donations were made, including necessities like diapers, baby wipes and baby clothes. Additionally, monetary donations were used to purchase a glide rocker, high chair, stroller, bath tub, bouncer and walker – all for Baby New Year.

BWWMH’s HealthStart Program sponsors the event, something it has done since 1995.

Zarrea is the first baby for Thompson, who beamed as she held the small bundle of joy, snuggled in a pink striped onesie.

Zarrea, daughter of Thompson and Tony Nathan, weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces. Both mom and baby are doing well.