It took a while for Covington County to welcome its New Year’s baby, but her arrival was just in time, mom Carrie Bowden of Kinston said Thursday.

Her daughter, Megan Diane Smith, was delivered by Dr. Joe Browning, Covington OB/GYN, at 8:04 p.m., Wed., Jan. 2 – four minutes past her mother’s self-imposed deadline and much to her dad’s, Roger Smith, delight.

“I’m a huge Gators fan, and I said if I had to deliver (Wednesday) I had to be done by 8 p.m.,” Bowden said. “I made it, barely.”

And even though her team lost, (33-23 to Louisville, Ky.) Bowden said she scored one for her family – a healthy baby girl.