A Port Colborne couple is starting the year with a New Year's baby after welcoming a son who became the first infant born at Niagara Health in 2026.

Rory, son of Rachel McColeman and her partner Robert, arrived at 3:26 a.m. on Jan. 1 at the Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines, according to Niagara Health. He weighed just over four kilograms — eight pounds and 15 ounces.

Rory's original due date was Dec. 31, and his parents arrived at the hospital that day expecting he might be the region's New Year's baby. As Rachel prepared to be induced, her water broke and Rory arrived on his own schedule.

We joked a lot about him being the New Year's baby and then it was, 'There's no way,' Rachel told Niagara Health. At 3:30 in the morning, we didn't think it was us, and (the nurses) said, 'Nope, you're it.' We didn't expect it by any means.

Rachel works in administration at a Simcoe County high school. She said her coworkers, knowing the classic three R's of education, encouraged her to hold out as long as possible in the hope of having a New Year's baby, so Rory wouldn't be the youngest — and potentially the smallest — in his class.

A busy first day of the year

Rachel and Robert were convinced another family had beaten them to the title, given the hour Rory was born. In fact, Niagara Health welcomed three babies by noon on New Year's Day.

The first-time parents described Rory as arriving "with eyes wide open and arms going crazy."

We joked he was a kickboxer inside, Rachel told Niagara Health. We're going to have a little boxer on our hands.

New to Niagara

The family's arrival in the region is nearly as recent as Rory's. Rachel and Robert moved to Port Colborne in November to be closer to Robert's family in Fort Erie.

Rachel grew up in Wasaga Beach and said she is enjoying Niagara life so far, including winters with less snow than she is used to from her hometown.

I moved from one beach to another, Rachel told Niagara Health. I've been exploring the area. It's awesome.

The Marotta Family Hospital is part of Niagara Health's network of hospitals serving communities across the region, including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Port Colborne and Fort Erie.