Marisol Montufar, born New Year’s Day at 2:06 a.m. at Women & Infants Hospital, is held by her parents, Mynor Montufar and Carmen L. Marrero, of Providence.

The Providence Journal Ruben W. Perez

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island’s first baby of 2008 came six days before she was due, and by way of cesarean section, at 2:06 a.m. yesterday at Women & Infants Hospital.

Marisol Montufar entered the world at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and 20 inches long. She is the daughter of Mynor Montufar and Carmen L. Marrero, of Providence.

“Since she was born first in the year, I think she is going to be important when she grows up,” her exhausted mother said yesterday afternoon in a brief interview at her bedside. “Maybe she will be a doctor.”

Marisol is named after Marrero’s sister. “I have a daughter already,” she explained weakly. “I promised my sister when I had another I would name my daughter for her.”

In Spanish, the name Marisol means the sea (mar) and the sun (sol), she said. Her family is originally from Puerto Rico.

Marrero, 19, has a son who is 3 and a daughter, 2. Marisol had been due Jan. 7, and even as Marrero went to the hospital New Year’s Eve with pain, she did not expect to deliver her child.

“It is a good experience to have a baby this way” as the first of the year, she said. “We got gifts.” She smiled. “We’re happy because every birthday she’ll have will be on the New Year. There will be two celebrations.”

marsenau@projo.com