Chicago Welcomes its First Babies of 2025
Chicago ushered in the new year with the arrival of several newborns, marking the beginning of a new generation. Among the first to arrive was Lavaeh Brandt, born at 1:03 a.m. on January 1st at Rush University Medical Center to mother Ingrid Brandt. This is Ms. Brandt’s fourth child, adding to a family already bustling with children aged 4 to 17. While the birth was earlier than anticipated, it provided an unexpected and exciting start to what would have otherwise been a quiet New Year’s Eve for the family. Ms. Brandt admitted with a laugh that the unexpected delivery was “OK, I guess. I had no plans anyway.”
Another early arrival was Scarlett Carmela Sartori, born at Illinois Masonic Hospital less than fifteen minutes after the new year began. Weighing in at six pounds, fifteen ounces, Scarlett’s birth was a close call for a New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day arrival. Her parents, Sophia and Josh Sartori, placed friendly bets with the delivery team on her time of arrival, culminating in an exciting countdown as the clock struck midnight. The birth was further marked by the playing of “Mr. Jones” by the Counting Crows, a choice reflecting the mother’s love of 90s music. Sophia Sartori described the experience as “surreal,” adding that despite their exhaustion, they were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, named after Sartori’s favorite book, “The Scarlet Letter,” and her mother’s first name.
Other notable early arrivals included Ethan Jovanni Maxinez, born at 12:56 a.m. at Lutheran General Hospital to parents Zara Amirova and Giovanni Maxinez, and Aiden Jimenez, born approximately an hour later at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Ethan’s arrival surprised his parents, coming two weeks ahead of his expected due date. The unexpected early arrival turned the family’s plans upside down, adding a layer of excitement to an already busy holiday season. Mr. Maxinez quipped that with his birthday in December and the holidays, it was shaping up to be a busy time of year. Aiden’s parents received a traditional welcome gift basket from Mt. Sinai Hospital, a customary gesture for the families of the hospital’s first newborns of the year. Irene Cisneros, nursing operations manager of women’s and children’s services at Mt. Sinai, stated that celebrating these first babies “is an incredible way to kick off the new year — with new life, new beginnings and boundless hope.” These newborns represent the first members of Generation Beta, encompassing all babies born between 2025 and 2039.