News from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospital services
Posted New Years Day, January 1st, 2026 on Niagara At Large
Rachel McColeman with son Rory. Rachel and her partner Robert McColeman welcomed Rory on Jan. 1, making him the first baby born at Niagara Health in 2026. photo courtesy of Niagara Health
This January 1st, 2026, for Rachel McColeman and her partner Robert, it’s all about the three R’s now.
The couple welcomed their baby boy, Rory, on Jan. 1, making him the first baby born at Niagara Health in 2026.
Rory was originally due Dec. 31 but arrived at 3:26 a.m. on New Year’s Day, weighing just over four kilograms (eight pounds and 15 ounces).
“We joked a lot about him being the New Year’s baby and then it was, ‘There’s no way,'” Rachel said. “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, who works in administration at a Simcoe County high school, said her coworkers – familiar with the classic three R’s of education – encouraged her to hold out as long as possible in hopes of having a New Year’s baby. That way Rory wouldn’t grow up being the youngest and, potentially, the smallest in his class.
The first-time parents, who moved to Port Colborne in November, arrived at the Marotta Family Hospital on Rory’s due date, anticipating that might be his fate. However, as Rachel prepared to be induced, her water broke, and Rory arrived on his terms “with eyes wide open and arms going crazy.”
“We joked he was a kickboxer inside,” Rachel said. “We’re going to have a little boxer on our hands.”
Rachel and Robert were certain that another baby had beaten Rory to the punch of being the New Year’s baby, given the time he was born. By noon on Jan. 1, Niagara Health had welcomed three babies.
Rachel and Robert moved to Niagara to be closer to his family in Fort Erie. Rachel, who grew up in Wasaga Beach, is loving Niagara life, and adjusting to winters with less snow – so far – than her hometown.
“I moved from one beach to another,” she said. “I’ve been exploring the area. It’s awesome.”
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