Many of us were happy to see the end of 2020.
But few had as much reason to celebrate yesterday as those who became parents in the early hours of 2021.
Among the New Year new arrivals at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, was Haya Ahmer.
Happy and healthy and weighing 6lb 14oz, little Haya made the start of 2021 extra special for her doting parents.
Haya was the second baby born in the RVI in time to greet the New Year, entering the world at 6.53am.
She wasn't due until January 11, but arrived early to become an amazing New Year surprise.
Her early arrival meant parents Hareem Esmail and Ahmer Nadeem, from Fenham, hadn't quite picked out a name yet - eventually settling on the pretty moniker, which means humility in Arabic.
Mum Hareem, 28, said: "She was a nice surprise, I'm feeling really pleased. We are both doing really well - though I am really tired now!"
Whilst 2020 hasn't been an easy year for anyone, Hareem said pregnancy with Haya, who is her first child, actually helped bring some light to a tricky year, as well as giving her something incredible to look forward to at the end of it.
Hareem, who works in the same hospital where her daughter was born, in the eye clinic, said: "She's definitely been great for us, throughout the pregnancy.
"Obviously Covid has been really hard for everybody, but with being pregnant being able to work from home was really helpful, in some ways it was a bit of a blessing in disguise."
