Tonawanda couple welcomes the first baby of 2024

Matteo Fadel was born to Jena and Christopher ‘C.J.’ Fadel at 1:13 a.m. Jan. 1 at Sisters of Charity Hospital.

“And he was a whopping 9 pounds,” Jena laughed. 

The baby lay sleeping in his bassinet, swaddled in white, looking quite happy with himself Monday afternoon when a Buffalo News reporter and photographer were invited into his mother’s hospital room. 

Occasionally, he sported a smile for the camera, as his parents affectionately cradled their first born. 

The Fadels first found out about Jena’s pregnancy in the summer of 2023. Over the July 4th weekend, they threw a gender reveal party with celebratory fireworks.

“I had a great pregnancy,” Jena, 29, said. “It was very easy, no complications.” 

Matteo went a little past his due date, his parents said. He was scheduled to be induced on Jan. 1 at 5 p.m., but was delivered via a C-section nearly 16 hours earlier to become the first baby of the year in Buffalo.

Jena started having contractions at about 4 a.m. on Dec. 31, laboring for almost 24 hours. 

“It was a long birth,” she said with a smile.

Matteo, which means the gift of God, was one of four babies born at Sisters Hospital on Monday, as of 2:30 p.m. In 2023, 4,999 babies were born to various Catholic Health hospitals, with Sisters delivering 2,937 over the year. 

The Fadels said they are excited to introduce their little one to their puppy.

“A little tired,” Christopher, 30, said. “But happy, excited, you know.”