Those born in the year of the Ox are known for their kindness, diligence and success. Just look at some examples -- President-elect Barack Obama, Walt Disney, Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Van Gogh, Johann Sebastian Bach, Bill Cosby, Princess Diana and Oscar De La Hoya.

Now one more name can be added to the list, James Walter Berni, the first baby born in 2009 at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville.

He weighed six pounds and measured 19.5 inches. He is the son Megan Berni, 32, and husband Jay, 34. He was born 6:49 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1.

James was the third baby of the New Year for Fairview hospitals in the metro. The first baby was born at 1:44 a.m. at Fairview Riverside in Minneapolis and the second at 3:43 a.m. Fairview Southdale in Edina.

"He's cute," said his excited big sister Emma, 4, who got to hold him with her parents the following morning.

She discovered he was ticklish on the bottom of his feet.

Berni went into labor around 3 a.m. The family was sleeping at the time. She said the labor went well.

"It was pretty quick compared to Emma," she said. "With her I was in labor 14 hours."

Berni was due Thursday, Jan. 22, but was happy to deliver early. The family knew a boy was on the way.

The family is new to the area. They moved to Burnsville from a town near Atlanta in April 2008 for Jay's work in law enforcement. They've talked to family over the phone, but haven't had many visitors yet.

"Both our families live outside of the state and are flying in," Berni said.

James is named after his father whose full name is James, but he goes by Jay. His middle name comes from Jay's grandfather who passed away in 1999.

The Berni couple received a first baby of the New Year gift bag that included a $50 gift certificate from ClubKid, free stationary from Buddy Boo Stationary and a free yoga class from Blooma. They also received various baby items, including toiletries, a CD, books, blankets and a photo album from Babys R'Us and the hospital.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)

The Berni couple received a first baby of the New Year gift bag that included a $50 gift certificate from ClubKid, free stationary from Buddy Boo Stationary and a free yoga class from Blooma. They also received various baby items, including toiletries, a CD, books, blankets and a photo album from Babys R'Us and the hospital.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)