WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - Learning about the first babies born as the world rings in a new year is a tradition. According to data compiled by FiveThirtyEight from the National Center for Health Statistics and the Social Security Administration, having a birthday on New Year's Day is rare; it is the second least common birthday behind Christmas.
This year, Marshfield Clinic's Weston and Marshfield hospitals did not have any births on New Year's Day and, as of Thursday afternoon, had not welcomed a baby into the new year yet. Aspirus Wausau Hospital's New Year's Day births have decreased over the last five years with five in 2020, two in 2021, three in 2022, and none in 2024.
"So, it's very exciting for my team on New Year's Day when we get those walk-in labors that come in and are able to have a baby on the first day of the new year," Ong Xiong, the nurse manager at the birth center said.
This year, her team welcomed just one special baby: Vincent Joseph Brognano.
"He's just starting the new year off so perfectly for us and it's just going to be a testament to his life and how special he is," his mother, Breanna Brognano expressed. "This year is going to be so life-changing for us and I'm so excited."
She and her husband, Joseph Brognano arrived at the birth center around 7:30 a.m. Birthing staff checked Breanna around 8 a.m. and determined her to be about 4-5 centimeters dilated. By about 9:45 a.m. they were about 8 centimeters dilated, but then progress stalled. Vincent was stuck on Breanna's pelvis. They eventually got him through at 1:39 p.m.
"He came out very alert, eyes wide open, looking at everything, so content," Breanna recalled. "He's so perfect, so, we're so happy."
She said the reality has not totally set in that they have a new little person in their lives, but they are already so in love with their little "Vinny."
"I'm an artist - Vincent Van Gogh and you love football and Vince Lombardi," Breanna began.
"For the Packers, obviously, Vince Lombardi is a big one," Joseph added.
He came a little early for his Jan. 5 due date.
"Since we found out we were pregnant, her big thing was 'I don't want a Christmas baby,'" the couple said in unison. Joseph continued, "Because it's really hard to keep that (birthday) separate when it's a Christmas baby."
However, he respected his parent's wishes.
"Him coming on the first day of the year..." Joseph began.
"He just had to come on a holiday," Beanna continued, "had to make it extra special."
Not only has Vincent joined an extra special club as a New Year's Day baby, he is among the first to join a new generation: Generation Beta. Plus, he has become part of a sweet tradition at Aspirus.
"About five years ago, a family came and delivered on New Year's Day and since then she has made it a special day where her (sic) and her daughter, they donate a basket that we can give to the baby that's born on New Year's Day," Xiong said.
"It was so cute! There's little party hats and little, like, blow New Year's things," Breanna described. "He got a really cute New Year's onesie that he'll be able to wear. He's too small for it now, but we'll wear it soon."
At 6 pounds, 4 ounces, and 20.5 inches long, he is a little pot of gold for the Brognanos.
"He's our rainbow baby," Breanna said.
About 10 years ago, they delivered their daughter, Shiloh at 25 weeks stillborn.
"I held her. She fit in my hand, like whole body, head to toe, fit in my- in one hand," Joseph recalled. "And then on the flipside having him and even though he is, kind of, technically small, for us he's massive by comparison."
"And to go through this process and have a baby to bring home at the end is so special," Breanna added. "And (he) had to be the first. Had to be the first baby!"
Both mom and baby are doing well and expect to go home soon to two furry siblings.