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New Year's babies in Longview, Tyler become some of first born in East Texas in 2024

Elicia, Elias, Stormie are some of the first babies to be born in East Texas!

LONGVIEW, Texas — As we welcome in the new year, a couple of little East Texans is celebrating her very first birthday!

Elicia Castaneda made her debut into the world just under an hour after the clock struck midnight. She was born at Christus Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview at 12:49 a.m. Monday, according to a spokesperson for the hospital. 

Little Elicia's mom also welcomed her new daughter at a familiar place. She works as a nurse at the same hospital.

Credit: Christus

Over in Tyler, Elias Nicholas Kefalides was born at 11:20 a.m. Monday at UT Health Tyler. His parents are Jillian and Nick Kefalides, of Lindale. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

 Jillian Kefalides said she believed Elias would come early, but she assumed his arrival would be closer to Jan. 18 due date or her Jan. 11 scheduled Cesarean section. But as the family celebrated a calm New Year's Eve at home, she noticed contractions about 8 a.m. And by 3 p.m., she realized that Elias was going to wait any longer. 

“I definitely didn’t think he would be a New Year’s baby,” she said. “Honestly, we’re just grateful that he’s a healthy baby.”

The new addition is a little brother to 3-year-old Elleana and 14-year-old Evan. 

Credit: UT Health East Texas

Baby Stormie Sky-Lynn Derrick was born at 7:45 a.m. at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. This little firecracker weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. and measured at 18.5 inches. 

Stormie's parents Robert Derrick and Chelsea Farmer rang in the new year with their baby girl.

Credit: CHRISTUS Health-Northeast Texas
Stormie Sky-Lynn Derrick was the first baby of 2024 born at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

Elicia, Elias, and Stormie are some of the first babies to be born in East Texas! As we hear from more local hospitals, we will update this story with more adorable details and photos. 

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