Oh, Baby, It's 2013

When Yusuf Syed came into the world at 1:08 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, he had no idea he was the first baby born in the new year at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital. But everybody else knew.

"I was really excited," said his mom, 22-year-old Adiba Jagirdar of Elmhurst. "The nurses were cheering me on."

She said she was surprised he ended up being born on Jan. 1, especially since she was in labor for quite a long time and he was a full week early. 

At first, Adiba didn't exactly know she was in labor since Yusuf is her first child.

"I didn't really know. I started getting weird pains," she said. "I just thought I wasn't sleeping enough or something."

But at about 9 a.m. Dec. 31, a nurse told her to get checked in and have that baby. Yusuf made his debut at 5 pounds, 10 ounces and 20.5 inches long.

Adiba enjoyed her stay in the comfy birthing rooms at Elmhurst Memorial.

"It was really nice," she said. "It was like staying in a hotel. They had room service and everything."

Since returning home on Thursday, Jan. 3, she has missed the nurses' care a little and is feeling tired—Yusuf sleeps all day and is up all night—but her mom and sister are there to help her. And her husband of two years, 27-year-old Salman Syed, took some time off his job as a business administrator, too.

"He's been really helpful," she said. "He's helping me change his diapers, dressing him."

Adiba, who grew up in Elmhurst, will make sure Yusuf knows he is Elmhurst Hospital's New Year's Baby of 2013.

"Of course I will!" Adiba said.

For now, her plan is to relax. She just earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Elmhurst College and "is on a break right now," she said.

"My plan is to just relax and enjoy my new baby and rest up a bit," she said.