Brooks Anthony Rachal was born to parents Abigail Rachal and Austin Rachal at 1:06 a.m. on Jan. 1 at UT Health Tyler. (Contributed photo)

As people rang in the new year, families and local hospitals welcomed their first babies of 2025.

At Christus Mother Frances Hospital, parents Sergio Moreno and Kelly Rivera welcomed the first baby of 2025, Natalie Maryeli Moreno at 12:04 a.m. Wednesday.

At UT Health Tyler, Brooks Anthony Rachal was born to Abigail Rachal and Austin Rachal at 1:06 a.m. Wednesday. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

“We are just thankful his delivery was smooth and he is healthy – the perfect start to our new year,” Abigail said.

She said Brooks’ due date was Jan. 11, but her water broke when she was at her doctor’s appointment on New Year’s Eve. Abigail said she actually helped deliver the first baby of the New Year in 2024 when she was a labor and delivery nurse at UT Health Tyler, and had no idea she’d be on the other side of things the following year.

“I definitely feel like I was better prepared,” said Abigail about her previous experience working in the department where she delivered Brooks. “It helped me not be anxious coming here because I knew exactly what to expect and I know all the girls here, so it was a really great experience for me.”

Brooks joins big brother Oakley Rachal, 9, who said he was excited about his new role and looks forward to playing baseball and video games with his baby brother.

Elsewhere in East Texas, Lane Anderson was born at 9:10 p.m. Wednesday at Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. His parents are Austin Anderson and Haylee Maples. In Sulphur Springs, Ethan Garcia was the first baby of 2025 born at Christus Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs. Garcia was born Wednesday. His parents are Venancio Garcia and Megan Neal.

Babies born beginning in 2025 are part of Generation Beta, according to CBS News. The new generation of boys and girls will be the children of young millennials and older members of Generation Z.

Generation Beta will be the first generation born into a world filled with artificial intelligence and automation. Generation Beta will include all people born until 2039.