The first moments of 2026 in Calgary were marked by a joyful and profound event: the arrival of the city's inaugural New Year's baby. Parents Sara and Sebastian Stewart welcomed their son, Theodore, into the world at precisely 12:03 a.m. on January 1.
A Precious New Year's Arrival
The birth took place at South Health Campus, where the Stewart family celebrated a healthy beginning for their newborn boy. Baby Theodore made his grand entrance weighing a solid eight pounds and six ounces. His birth signifies not just a personal milestone for his family but also a symbolic one for the city, continuing the cherished tradition of honouring the year's first newborn.
A Synchronized Celebration Across Alberta
In a remarkable coincidence, the province's capital celebrated an identical moment of joy at the very same minute. As Theodore was born in Calgary, Edmonton's first baby of 2026 was also arriving at Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Parents Stephanie Fernandez and Elrick Obligar welcomed their baby boy, who weighed six pounds and four ounces, also at 12:03 a.m. This synchronicity highlights a bustling start to the new year in Alberta's healthcare facilities.
Official Congratulations for New Albertans
Alberta Health Services officially acknowledged and celebrated the births. In a public statement, they extended their warmest congratulations to all families who welcomed new additions on the first day of the year. The health authority specifically welcomed "these brand-new Albertans to the world," recognizing the special significance of their birth date.
The simultaneous arrivals in Calgary and Edmonton underscore the continuous, dedicated work of healthcare teams across the province, even on major holidays. For the Stewart and Fernandez-Obligar families, January 1, 2026, will forever be a date of double celebration—ringing in both a new year and a new life.
