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First Baby Born At Virtua Hospital In 2016!

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (CBS) --  She could be the very first baby born in South Jersey in 2016 and definitely one of the first to draw her own press conference!

Virtua Hospital officials in Mount Holly say little Madison was born at 12:01 a.m., weighing 8 pounds and measuring 19.5 inches long.

"Just seeing her makes me want to pick her up and hug her!"

A proud Papa and tired but thrilled Mama at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly after their daughter Madison arrived just one minute after midnight New Year's Day.

"I just wanted to get her out as soon as possible," Nicole Gaskill told Eyewitness News.

Nicole Gaskill says after more than 30 hours in labor - the timing was pure coincidence.

"That was the last thing on my mind honestly. I didn't even realize what time it was," Gaskill said.

Named Madison Patrice Ely-Gaskill, the 8 pound bundle of joy decided the first contraction in 2016 was time to say hello.

Dr. Susan Passarella says this is the first New Year's baby she's delivered and promises there was no conspiracy to prolong labor after midnight.

"She just had her own plan and agenda, as all babies do before, after and during delivery. And you just kind of have to roll with it and it was exciting to be involved with Nicole and her family at such a fun time in her life," Dr. Passarella said.

Both Nicole and her boyfriend James from Westhampton are first time parents. And while little Madison Patrice definitely has her mom's face, dad isn't disappointed.

"To be honest, I'm more happy than anything, like I've always wanted a baby. Not this young, but since she's here, I couldn't ask for anything more," Ely said, admitting that's he's also nervous but excited at the same time.

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