At 2:44 a.m. Wednesday morning, Boulder County’s first baby of 2025 made his grand entrance into the world, marking the start of a brand-new year with a bundle of joy.

Ezra Ezekiel Flores, a baby boy weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 18.5 inches long, was born at Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette to happy first-time parents Lindsey and Marco Flores of Brighton.

Ezra’s early-morning arrival set the tone for a fresh beginning, but unlike the usual New Year’s resolutions, this one comes with tiny toes, a full head of hair (or maybe just a little fuzz), and a lifetime of possibilities.

According to Ezra’s mother, Boulder County’s firstborn didn’t exactly arrive on schedule. Instead, baby Ezra came into this world around two weeks early. His due date was Jan. 15.

“He definitely surprised us,” Flores said. “His early arrival caught us off guard in the best way possible.”

As for his name? That took some teamwork.

“We thought he was going to be a girl, so we had a girl’s name ready,” Flores said.

But when it came to boy names, things got a bit trickier. “I really liked the name Ezra, which means ‘helper,’ and my husband was drawn to Ezekiel, which means ‘God strengthens.’ His full name, Ezra Ezekiel, felt like the perfect combination for him.”

And since his dramatic early arrival, Ezra’s been up to quite a lot, according to Flores.

“He’s quite the character already,” she added with a laugh. “He smacks his lips even when he doesn’t want his bottle, he’s been a little bit of a crier, and he makes the funniest faces. We’ve also noticed he has a touch of drama. He’s definitely going to keep us on our toes!”

When asked what she’d want Ezra to know if he grows up to read this article, Lindsey didn’t hesitate: “Ezra, I love you more than words can say. You are the greatest gift I could have received to start this new year. I can’t wait to see who you grow up to be.”

It’s safe to say that little Ezra is starting life as a star — stealing the spotlight as Boulder County’s firstborn of the year. His arrival is a sweet reminder that every new year brings hope, joy, and maybe just a little bit of sleep deprivation for new parents.