Welcome to the world: Meet the first local babies born in 2022

Just as the world entered 2022, new babies around the Triangle took their first breaths in the first few minutes of the New Year.

Hospitals around the area sent us photos of their New Year's babies.

The first baby born at the new UNC Rex Holly Springs Hospital in 2022 was Kairi Afik. She's 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and arrived at 12:12 a.m.

Kairi is the first child of Shifra and Gal Afik, who were thrilled to have their first child arrive a week early.

“It will be easy to remember her birthday," said her mother. "It’s a great way to start the new year.”

UNC Rex Holly Springs Hospital opened on Nov. 1 and has delivered more than 50 babies in the past two months.

The first baby born at Rex Hospital in Raleigh in 2022 arrived just 20 minutes after the new year.

Tom and Jamie Higgins welcomed baby boy Greyson. He is their second boy. He also has two older sisters.

Greyson weighs 9 pounds, 2 ounces. The family was thrilled that their little brother decided to arrive early on New Year’s Day.

Cape Fear Medical Center Labor and Delivery welcomed the first baby of 2022 just six minutes after the ball dropped at midnight.

Jase Benjamin Luis Navarro was born weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz and was 21 inches long.

His parents Jash Navarro and Jordan Curtis of Sanford received a gift basket full of donations from local businesses, including commemorative onesies from Yellow Crayons.

Jase’s grandparents are Donna and Ben Curtis of Fayetteville, and Hector and Rose Navarro of Raeford.

UNC Health Medical Center welcomed a baby girl, Amiri Snuggs, into the world at 3:23 a.m. Saturday morning.

The baby weighed in at 7lbs 4.8oz, and was 19.5 inches long.

Baby Amiri's mother said she is "happy she's here!" and is excited to get her back home to Asheboro.

The Womack Army Medical Center celebrated Aria Lively Da Silva and Orion Thomas Earwood, the first baby girl and boy to be born on New Year’s Day.

Sergeant Jhonatan Da Silva, assigned to 11th Quartermaster Company, and his wife Yesenia Da Silva welcomed baby Aria to their family after over ten hours of labor.

Specialist Kenneth Earwood II, 87th Military Police Detachment, 10th Military Police Battalion, and his wife Naomi welcomed baby Orion shortly after arriving at the hospital Saturday morning.

Colonel Hugh McLean, the Deputy Commanding Officer of Womack Army Medical Center, presented both families with gift baskets filled with various necessities for new babies.