Winona LaCount was the first baby of 2026 born at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
She entered the world at 12:50 a.m. Jan. 1 and is the first child of Olivia Gorney and Ryan LaCount of Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community. Winona clocked in at 10 pounds, 6 ounces and 22.5 inches long.
WBEZ Chicago radio reported Winona was originally expected to be born on Dec. 26, but she arrived on New Year’s Day after her parents scheduled an induction for Tuesday.
Her parents told WBEZ they hope she grows up to be “super cool” and “loved by everybody.”
According to WBEZ, Gorney came up with Winona mostly because she likes the name “Winnie” as a nickname, but she’s also a big fan of Tim Burton movies, four of which feature actress Winona Ryder.
As far as New Year’s Eve celebrations, Gorney and LaCount reportedly kept things low-key. “We kissed at midnight,” Winona’s mom said. “[My husband] was in his scrubs, and I was fearing for my life.”
The first baby boy of 2026 born at Advocate Christ is Noah Robert Garcia. He was born at 3:43 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces and 20 inches long to parents Gino Garcia and Samantha Scuito of Joliet. They declined to provide a photo.