Just call her Miss New Year.

eighing in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces and 20 inches long, Carlee Renna Bass, captured the title of Shoals New Year’s Baby 2013 at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.

With an arrival time of 12:33 a.m. Jan. 1, being the New Year’s baby was never in the plans for Carlee’s parents, Hayley and Daniel, of Florence.

“She came about nine days early,” Hayley said. “But I’d gone to the doctor on Monday and had an issue with the amniotic fluid so they put me in the hospital and induced my labor that morning. Still, I thought I’d have her Monday. I thought at the latest, she’d be the last baby born in 2012. I never expected her on New Year’s Day.”

Carlee has a 15 month-old sister, Natalie.

Surrounded by family Tuesday afternoon, Natalie’s excitement for her little sister was obvious as she rubbed the baby’s head and patted her cheeks.

“They’re really close in age, but I know God only gives you what you can handle, and I’m just glad to have her here, healthy and safe,” Hayley
said. “Natalie is excited, too, but she’s still sort of unsure about her. She doesn’t really know what to think about this baby. She just knows her mommy doesn’t have that big tummy any more.”

Daniel said the New Year’s Day arrival caught him a bit off guard, too, adding that from now on there will be no more quiet New Years days for the family but birthday celebrations.

“I never really thought about her being born on New Year’s Day,” he said.

The delivering physician was Dr. Brent Hurd.

Hayley said she didn’t have a complicated pregnancy, just a long one, adding, “I felt like I was pregnant for about two years.”

Daniel’s mother, Deborah, called Hayley, “A very good mom.”

“If anyone can handle an infant and toddler, Hayley can,” she said.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 256-740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.