Baby girl born at 3:21 a.m. is among St. Paul’s first of 2019

Parents Katherine Chem and Anthony Rodriguez of Maplewood hold their newborn daughter Kaleena, in the Mother Baby Center at United and Children’s Minnesota in St. Paul, Jan. 1, 2019. Kaleena Chem-Rodriguez, 5 pounds 6 ounces, was born at 3:21 A.M. — one of the first babies born in St. Paul in the new year. (Scott Takushi / Pioneer Press)

[Pioneer Press, January 01, 2019]

Kaleena Chem-Rodriguez was among the first babies born on New Year’s Day in St. Paul, arriving at 3:21 a.m. at The Mother Baby Center at United and Children’s Minnesota.

She weighed in at 5 pounds and 6 ounces. Her mother, 22-year-old Katherine Chem, said Kaleena has slept a lot since her arrival.

“(I’m) happy she’s here and healthy,” Chem said. “I wanted to get her here before the end of the year.”

Little Kaleena arrived ahead of her scheduled Jan. 7 due date. Her father, 21-year-old Anthony Rodriguez, said that being a dad feels “amazing,” and the birth was a “great start to a new year.”

Posted on January 01, 2019 in Featured on Home Page, Mother & Child, newspapers, Pioneer Press, The Mother Baby Center, United Hospital