Norman Regional Welcomes First Baby of 2026

Norman Regional Hospital welcomed its first baby of 2026 into the world at 7 a.m. on January 1.

Carolina Ruiz Rico and Carlos Diaz are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl, Sophia Isabel Diaz. Sophia was born via cesarean section after a planned induction and 24 hours of labor. She arrived more than a week ahead of her original due date of January 14.

“This is our first baby, so we’re just really excited and really happy,” said Carolina. “The nurses were wonderful on both shifts and took amazing care of us the entire time. They were so supportive in every way, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

Carolina and Carlos, who have lived in Norman for the past two years, said it became clear late in labor that Sophia would be a New Year’s Day baby. Of the several families who arrived for inductions on New Year’s Eve, they were the last still laboring when the calendar turned.

“She definitely made a big entrance,” Carolina said. “We’re just so happy to have our little girl with us, and we couldn’t be more excited that her birthday is on January 1.”

Norman Regional’s volunteer organization, the Auxiliary, celebrated Sophia’s arrival with a gift basket for the family. The basket included diapers, a swaddle, a stuffed animal, baby care items, and a keepsake beanie.

Norman Regional Hospital delivers approximately 3,000 babies each year and is home to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Labor and Delivery Unit, Mother Baby Unit, and an Obstetrical Emergency Department.