New year’s double for Anthony
Bermuda’s first two babies of 2025 arrived at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on New Year’s Day.
The Bermuda Hospitals Board announced that Aaryonn Smith was the first baby born on Wednesday.
He weighed 6lb 5oz and his birth meant a double celebration for proud father footballer Anthony Smith, a centre back for Boulevard Blazers.
Aaryonn’s mother, Danielle Joell, a nurse aide at the hospital, said her son was not expected until later this month.
She explained: “My due date was actually January 17, but I have been coming in with pain recently.
“They checked me and then released me back home, but on New Year’s Day, the pain was stronger and when they checked they said it was time.”
The First Division Shield final at Somerset Cricket Club caused Mr Smith to miss the birth.
A BHB spokeswoman said: “Father Anthony, focused on the Shield championship match against Somerset Trojans he was to play in, said he knew Danielle had come to the hospital, but thought it was the usual pains she had been experiencing.
“The centre back was on the field by noon in Somerset, and at 1.03pm his son was born.”
Mr Smith added: “It happened too fast for me to get here for the birth. But the whole team were excited. And we won.”
Boulevard came from behind in the match to beat Somerset Trojans 2-1 and take home the trophy.
Mr Smith rode in the traditional winning motorcade to Hamilton with the trophy and was dropped off at the hospital to be with Ms Joell and the newborn.
He said: “He is our Boulevard baby, the whole team are behind him.”
R. Scott Pearman, the BHB president and chief executive, said: “We are delighted that our own Danielle is mother to the first Generation Beta baby in Bermuda.
“Babies born this year are the first in a new generation of children that will include all born up to the end of 2039.”
Another couple, Simiah Caisey and Errin Simons, welcomed daughter Erris Ahmira Simons at KEMH yesterday.
The 6lb 10oz baby, born at 11.17pm, is Ms Caisey’s first daughter and baby sister to 12-year-old Jaiden Simons.
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