Jocelyn Rebecca Brandes, reported at press time to be Livingston’s first baby of 2023, has been named the winner of the
annual First Baby Contest. The little girl was bom - seven pounds, nine ounces - on January 1 at 4:09 p.m Central Time (5:09 p.m. Eastern Time). She was bom in Northwest Health - Porter hospital in Indiana, through surrogacy. As the first baby bom at her hospital in the New Year, she was also celebrated with gifts and a feature on the Northwest Health Facebook page.
Her parents are Karen and Ross Brandes of 29 North Road. Mother Karen is a stay at home mother, and father Ross works as a talent agent.
Karen’s parents, Max and Julie Silbermann, also reside in Livingston. Ross’s parents, Ramona Toyen and Joel Brandes, both live in Westlake, California.
“After a long journey of infertility, my husband and I found a surrogate, Michelle, who lives in Hobart, Indiana,” Karen Brandes said. The couple lived in an Airbnb rental in Indiana for the month of December, anticipating their daughter’s birth. Michelle was induced on New Year’s Eve after 39 weeks and four days. Jocelyn was born the following day.
The family has since returned to Livingston, where their dogs, Althea and Prudence, are in love with their new baby sister.
“It’s going excellent,” Karen Brandes said. “Everything is perfect. She is perfect. We could not be happier. It was such a long journey and we are so happy to be in this place with our baby.”
The Tribune has welcomed Livingston’s first baby of the year by holding the First Baby Contest for over six decades. The very first winner was Jeffrey Frank Thomton, who was bom January 1, 1957 to Dr. and Mrs. William A. Thomton of Walnut Street.
Aras ZayanNaveed,bom to Aaiza Aame andher husband, Naveedlqbal at 10:52a.m. onJanuary 22,2023 was last year’s First B aby Contest winner.
The rules to determine the winner are the same each year: The first baby of2024 must be born to parents who currently reside in Livingston. The exact time of the birth must be certified in writing by the attending physician.
Sometimes the winner is bom just a fewminutes after midnight; in other years, days and even weeks have passed before a first baby was bom The gifts that Livingston’s first baby of 2024 will receive include: Assado Portuguese Steakhouse, a $50 gift certificate; Bonvini’s Pizza, a $50 gift certificate; Brainiax, a $250 gift certificate toward preschool or enrichment classes; Broadway Elite Limousine, a $ 100 gift certificate toward transportation services; Dieci Companies, spa pedicures in a private pedicure lounge for the baby’s mom and dad; The Feathered Fox, a $150 gift certificate; Allan Feid Jr., LLC, a $100 gift card; George Press Jewelers, a $50 gift certificate; Dr. Bernard D. Gorkowitz, orthodontist, a $50 Amazon gift card; Hauptman and Hauptman, PC, $500 discount on estate and long term care planning fee; Jim Johnston’s Steak House, dinner for new parents (maximum value $75); Just A Dream, a $100 gift certificate; The Kiwanis Club of Livingston, a $100 check; Livingston Circle Car Wash, a $3 8 gift certificate for a full service car wash with interior citrus cleaning; Livingston Family Eyecare, a $50 gift certificate to Meyer’s Toys-Dolls-Hobbies; Love Letters, a $50 gift certificate; Joseph Magotch, D.D.S., a $50 gift card and a tooth bank; Master Pizza, a $50 gift card; Nana’s Deli, a $50 gift card; Nero’s Grille, a $100 gift certificate; Northfield Pharmacy, a $35 gift certificate; Regal Bank, a $100 gift card to Just A Dream; The Ritz Diner, a $50 gift certificate; Donna Semplenski, Weichert Realtors, a $50 ShopRite gift card; Tony Boy’s Sandwich House, a $50 gift certificate; and the West Essex Tribune, a free one-year subscription..
