First baby of 2006 is couple's first daughter after three sons

When the ball drops at midnight next New Year's Eve, the Dunoyer brothers plan to shout "Happy Birthday!" before "Happy New Year!"

Their sister, Francesca Melanie, was the first baby born at Anne Arundel Medical Center in 2006, arriving at 12:24 a.m. yesterday.

She's the fourth child and the first daughter for Francois and Lisa Dunoyer of Severna Park, joining 11-year-old Jake, 9-year-old Eddie and 5-year-old Max.

"It's just heaven. It couldn't be better," Mr. Dunoyer said.

With a due date of Jan. 5, Francesca arrived a few days early, just like her brothers, but not as early as her parents thought she...