It’s a girl — twice! Meet the first babies in 2026 in Ottawa County
Girls ruled at the start of 2026, as Ottawa County hospitals welcomed the first new babies to the area.
OTTAWA COUNTY — Girls ruled at the start of 2026, as Ottawa County hospitals welcomed the first new babies to the area.
Hospitals in Zeeland and Holland recorded their first births of the year in the early hours of Thursday, Jan. 1, welcoming two baby girls into the lakeshore community.
The county’s first recorded arrival occurred at Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital, where Teagan Elise Villarreal was born at 4:14 a.m.
Teagan, the first child for parents Danielle and Troy Villarreal, surprised the couple by arriving nearly a week ahead of her projected Jan. 7 due date.
She weighed 7 pounds and measured 21 inches long. Hospital officials reported that both Teagan and her mother are doing well.
Less than 90 minutes later, the celebration moved to Holland Hospital’s Boven Birth Center.
Hailey Joe arrived at 5:41 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. She is the first child for Mery Mateo and Hagen Sonni of Holland.
According to hospital staff, the delivery marked a significant milestone for the extended family as well; Hailey Joe is the first grandchild on her mother’s side.
— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at hvandyke@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
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