American Samoa welcomed two new babies, who were born Christmas, Dec. 25 at LBJ Medical Center, as confirmed to Samoa News yesterday morning.

The first to be born was baby-girl Nelva Punia Piliati, who was born at 12:07a.m Dec. 25; while baby-boy Saolupe Soe came into this world at 3:51a.m. Dec. 25.

Nelva weighed in at 7 pounds and one ounce; while Saolupe at 7 pounds 14 ounces.

Mothers and babies were doing well, based on information from the relatives. Samoa News was able to get a photo of Nelva and her mother — both were already in the maternity ward, while Saolupe and his mother were not yet released to the maternity ward.

Rhonda Piliati says she is happy that her first child is born on Christmas Day. She also told Samoa News that a lot of people who were at the hospital including nurses came over to wish her the best not only for Christmas, but to congratulate her for her Christmas baby.

(Original Samoan story in today’s Lali section of Samoa News)