First Baby of 2026 Arrives Early at Albany Hospital January 6, 2026 Albany celebrated its first baby of the new year when Paizleigh Lynn Marie Stephens was born at Samaritan Albany General Hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 1, at 6:06 a.m. Her middle names honor both of her grandmothers. Paizleigh weighed 9 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Her parents, Alexis Rhoads and Philip Stephens, are from the Albany and Lebanon areas. Originally due Jan. 4, Paizleigh arrived ahead of schedule. Rhoads said she initially thought she had an upset stomach before realizing she was in labor. Just 20 minutes after checking in, their daughter was born. “We are so blessed that our daughter is healthy and stable,” Rhoads said. “We’re thankful she came when she did, and she has a 15-month-old older sister waiting at home to meet her.” To celebrate, Samaritan Albany General Hospital’s Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum department presented the family with a generous gift basket including several items for the newborn.
