Michael and Meagan Ferguson hold their daughter, Olivia, who was the first baby born at Niagara Health in 2024.
When Meagan and Michael Ferguson arrived at the St. Catharines hospital on Dec. 31, they figured they might be the last people to become parents at Niagara Health in 2023.
Their daughter, Olivia, had other plans, though. Weighing seven pounds and 15 ounces (3.6 kilograms), Olivia became the first baby born at Niagara Health in 2024, making her entrance into the world at 12:45 a.m.
She was originally due Jan. 6.
“It’s hard to believe,” Meagan said. “We always joked that maybe she’d be the New Year’s baby and be the first one, and now she is.”
“It’s kind of crazy when I think about it,” Michael added. “She’ll be the oldest person born on this day in the region.”
Olivia joins big brother Travis, 3, who was born on Christmas Day in 2020.
Not one to waste time, Olivia has already indicated she likes to be pampered. She closed her eyes in delight as she had her full head of dark hair washed and combed during her first bath.
Her parents, who are from St. Catharines, have had her name picked out since their pregnancy with Travis.
“It’s just a pretty name we liked,” Michael said.
Olivia joins seven other babies born at Niagara Health as of 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 1.
