The new year brought two New Year’s babies to Rutherford County hospitals.
Victoria and James Hunt of Herndon, Ky., welcomed James Eli Hunt into the world at 12:51 a.m. on Jan. 1 at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center in Smyrna. He weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 21 inches in length at birth.
James Eli takes his first name from his father and his middle name from Victoria’s grandfather.
James Eli is the couple’s first child. They said they had a long pregnancy journey, and finally had their baby through in vitro fertilization.
“After the four-and-a-half-year journey that we had in trying to have him, we didn’t really care when, we just relished in the fact that he was,” James said. “We are just blessed that he came out healthy.”
The Hunts were introduced to Dr. William Kellett and Dr. Christopher Sizemore by Victoria’s best friend, who also had a baby using IVF. The Hunts said they felt so comfortable with the doctors and their staff that they would gladly make the two-hour trip from their home again.
Victoria was supposed to be induced on Dec. 29, but that ended up getting pushed back. James said Victoria was about 39 weeks and three days along when James Eli decided to make his appearance.
The Hunts said they are open to having another child and have even considered adoption.
“We’re willing to put forth the time and effort, but if he’s our one and only, that’s fine with us,” said Victoria.
The Hunts credit the staff at the Kentucky Fertility Institute in Louisville for their baby.
“God shined down his blessing and his knowledge on them and gave us Baby James Eli,” said James.
Victoria added, “The staff just gave us a lot of hope.”
Another baby was welcomed just after the start of the new year at Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford.
A girl was born at 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 1. She was 20.25 inches long and seven pounds, 11 ounces at birth. Her parents are Ariel and Michael Colvin of Murfreesboro. They declined an interview request.
