First baby of the New Year in Middle Georgia a surprise for parents

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – At the start of every year, all eyes head to hospitals across the country to see when the first baby of the New Year will be born.

Middle Georgia’s first baby of 2014 is Rodney Arness Johnson III, or RJ.

At 5lbs and 15 oz. and 18 ¾ in. long, baby RJ was quiet and peaceful when 41NBC paid him a visit Wednesday morning.

His mom, Crystal Harris, says when she checked into the Medical Center of Central Georgia, she had no idea RJ would be the first baby of the New Year.

“It was a major surprise because the due date wasn’t until January 20th. So like I turned 37 weeks on Monday and I went into labor on Tuesday,” Harris said.

She said the surprise quickly turned into pressure, and she knew she wanted the baby out.

“It was a lot of pressure, because when the nurses told me we have to have the first baby I was like oh no. It was a lot of pressure and I was extremely nervous,” Harris said. “Thank you Lord I got him out. That’s the first thing that went through my mind because those labor pains were no joke.”

So at 1:28 a.m.  on New Yea’rs Day, RJ was born.

His dad Rodney said he was full of excitement.

“When I found out it was going to be a New Year baby, it just made things even more exciting,” Johnson said.

RJ’s parents, after checking for 10 fingers and 10 toes, say they want to be good parents and set a great example.

“Just to be the best parent I can be. Make sure I’m in his life, taking care of him. Making sure he’s ok. Be his mentor, be his friend. More than a father,” Johnson said.

“I hope I’m a good mom, I really do. I really hope I’m a good mom. I should be,” Harris said.