First Middle Georgia baby of 2016 born at Macon hospital

Early on New Year's Eve, many hours before most celebrations began, a Warner Robins couple drove to Macon.

Ebony Huffman was having a toothache.

Pregnant, she and the baby's father went to the Medical Center, Navicent Health, about 6 a.m. to get checked out.

The couple wasn't expecting their son for another week. His due date was Jan. 8.

But the doctor who checked on little Gabriel Mychael Bailey found that the amniotic fluid surrounding him was low, said Theron Bailey, Gabriel's father and Huffman's boyfriend.

Huffman was induced for an early delivery at about 10:30 a.m.

Gabriel made his grand entrance more than 14 hours later at 12:54 a.m., Middle Georgia's first birth of 2016.

Cradled in his mothers arms, Gabriel slept while his parents told of his unexpected early birth and their hopes and dreams for his life.

Huffman calls her newborn son a "miracle baby."

"I was just elated he that was born on New Year's," she said. "He could have come any day and it would have been special to me," but being on New Year's made it extra special.

"I feel like I won the lottery," she said.

Huffman said her son's name is biblically inspired.

Gabriel means "strong man of God" and Mychael means "one who is like God," she said.

The 7 pound, 8.3 ounce little boy already is a good eater and sound sleeper. When awake, he's engaged and interested in his surroundings, Huffman said.

"He doesn't cry very loud at all and we're very grateful for that," she said.

His grip is strong, Bailey said.

Huffman said her hope is that Gabriel will grow to be a person who will inspire and impact the world in "a way only he can," love God and encourage others.

When Gabriel is discharged, he has a big sister to get to know, Bailey's 4-year-old daughter, De'mia.

"We can't wait to get him home," Huffman said.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398 or find her on Twitter @awomackmacon.

This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 9:30 PM with the headline "First Middle Georgia baby of 2016 born at Macon hospital ."