YUMA, AZ (KYMA, KECY) – Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is celebrating the new year with a new face.

Gordon Brett Jagi was born on Sunday, January 1st at 12:43 am. He is the first baby born in Yuma County this year.

All in all, the little tote measured at 18 inches and weighed 4.5 pounds. But Gordon was the name chosen on such short notice.

“We were going out to Gordon’s Well and we didn’t have a name. So it sounded right. We were looking for an old-fashioned name. Gordon is strong, so we Everyone went with Gordon.

Gordon’s parents, Chris and Val, live in Campo, California. The couple were in Yuma while vacationing at the Imperial Sand Dunes. That’s when Val realized she could go into labor on December 29th.

Both Chris and Val wanted the birth of their baby to be a special occasion.

“We wanted to be first, but nurses came along, so I knew I wanted to win the race,” Chris continued.

Val described her surprise and joy when the first signs started.

“I just woke up and suddenly I [thinking] I go into labor Then I woke him up and said, ‘I think I have to go to the hospital,'” said the happy mom.

Emotions ran high as Val cradled her newborn baby boy in her arms.

“I just wanted to cry. I was so excited. I felt so blessed,” Val said.

The family of 2022 New Year’s babies Diandra and Richard Martinez, along with their now-1-year-old daughter Kayleigh, sent gifts to Mr. and Mrs. Jaggis.

For now, Jaggis will remain at the hospital with the newborn for the remainder of New Year’s Day.