Northside Hospital-Forsyth welcomed its first baby of 2013 - and one of Roswell's newest residents - early Tuesday.

Elizabeth Ann Payne was born to first-time parents Britney and Jeff Payne of Roswell. She arrived at 2:39 a.m., weighing in at 10 pounds, 9 ounces and is 22 inches long. 

“Everyone was convinced Elizabeth would come early,” said Britney in a press release. “[New Year’s] really didn’t figure in our minds until after she was born.”

Britney began having contractions on Dec. 29, her due date. But by New Year’s Eve and a couple trips to the hospital, she was finally ready to deliver. Baby Elizabeth was one of just three babies who were born at Northside Hospital-Forsyth on New Year’s Day.

“The day will always be a big party day,” said Britney, who added that Elizabeth will always have fireworks for her birthday.

As for dad, Jeff, “I’m putting in her application to UGA tomorrow,” he joked. 

The split household has plenty of time to decide on where Elizabeth will go to college, either the University of Georgia or Britney's alma mater Georgia Tech. Elizabeth may even follow in her parents footsteps and go into law enforcement, both Britney and Jeff are police officers with the city of Roswell.

In recognition of the first baby of 2013, the hospital gave the Payne family a giant diaper cake with a teddy bear and other various baby care items. Our365, the hospital’s in-house newborn portrait provider, gave the family a gift certificate for a free photo package. The March of Dimes, in celebration of the organization’s 75^th anniversary, provided a gift bag of products from the March of Dimes and other partners.

Congratulations to the Payne family from all of us at Roswell Patch!