NATCHEZ — Jasmine Brown and Omarie Ellis spent the last two holidays of 2009 anxiously awaiting the birth of their daughter.

And at 9:01 p.m. on Jan. 2, Brown and Ellis received the belated Christmas gift they had wanted to see for the past nine months — Jaydah Ellis, a healthy six pounds two ounces, 19 inches long baby girl.

Jaydah’s Saturday night arrival at Natchez Community Hospital makes her the first baby of 2010 for the Miss-Lou.

And while she was born almost two weeks before she was expected, the couple from Fayette said their daughter’s arrival couldn’t have come soon enough for them.

“I was due on Jan. 14,” Brown said, “But those two extra weeks seemed like it was going to be forever.”

Brown, 20, underwent a Caesarean section Saturday night after having labor induced upon her and staying at the hospital for almost 16 hours.

“ I went in at 5:30 a.m. to be induced. I wanted to have a natural birth, but it just happened like that,” Brown said.

Ellis, 24, said while the waiting for the baby made him anxious, the only stressful part of the day was making sure Brown was well during the birth.

“(Jasmine’s) blood pressure kept going up and down, and that was the most stressful part (of the day,)” Ellis said.

The couple both agreed that the arrival of their daughter couldn’t have been a more joyful time for them or their family members.

“It was great to have a hospital room full (of family,)” Brown said.

And while family waited as Brown went into surgery to give birth, Brown said Ellis was with her to experience seeing and holding their first child.

“At certain points, it did get a little emotional. I basically saw (Jaydah) when she was taken out of (Jasmine) and it was a breathtaking experience,” Ellis said.

Ellis said he was the first person to hold his little girl, but was able to share the moment by showing her to her mother as soon as she arrived.

“It’s going to be an everlasting moment for me,” Ellis said. “I’m more than sure I’ll never forget it. Overall, we just feel blessed.”

Brown said it wasn’t until later that night that she was able to hold her baby, but it was well worth the wait.

“I got her at 11 p.m. and got to hold her for an hour,” Brown said.

Ellis said with Jaydah’s birth at the start of a new year, both he and Brown know of at least one resolution they won’t be breaking.

“We are going to guarantee we’re going to be the best parents we can be,” Ellis said.

“And what better way to start the year out than with a baby,” Brown added.

While Natchez Community Hospital has welcomed their first baby of 2010, doctors and nurses at Natchez Regional Medical Center are anticipating their first 2010 baby later in the week.