New Year’s baby arrives Thursday

Hussein Sari is first baby born in Brookings in 2019

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BROOKINGS – Hajar Hameed Addeen has a special reason for the name she picked for her third child, who happens to be Brookings’ New Year’s Baby. 

Hussein Sari arrived at 5:02 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, making him the first baby born at Brookings Health Systems in 2019. He is the third child of Hajar Hameed Addeen and her husband Emad Sari of Brookings. 

Hussein tipped the scales at 7 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 19.75 inches long. He has a sister, Fatmah, 4, and a brother, Mohsen, 16 months old.

When she found out she was expecting her third child, Addeen didn’t have to think about the name.

“I love my dad,” Addeen said, adding her father had passed away.

“I decided if I get pregnant, and had a boy, I would give him the same name as my father,” she said. 

Addeen, who is a student at South Dakota State University studying computer science, was due Dec. 28, but Hussein didn’t want to be born last year.

“He wants to deliver in the new year. He rejects 2018,” Addeen said with a laugh.

Hussein was a few days late, but Addeen said she wasn’t in labor long before her little boy made his appearance in the early morning.

“Delivery not easy,” she added.

The couple received a variety of toys, baby products, and gift certificates of cash and services from local businesses and organizations, according to Julia Yoder, marketing and public relations director of Brookings Health Systems.

It was very unexpected for Hussein’s parents.

“This is surprise for us,” said Addeen, who wasn’t thinking about gifts. “I’m thinking about I want to deliver my son. I don’t think about anything, just healthy boy.”

She’s glad Hussein and Mohsen are so close in age so they will grow up together, but she thinks her family is now complete.

“I think it is enough. Three is enough,” she said.

Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.