Under normal circumstances, Newman Regional Health’s first baby of the year enters the world at any time in the first week of January. The 2026 baby didn’t wait.
Sylas Velazquez was born on New Year’s Day to Jose Lopez and Yulisa Velazquez. Sylas was 7 pounds, 5.4 ounces at birth. Velazquez says she had an idea that young Sylas would be the first baby of the year, but admits she was hoping he wouldn’t arrive on New Year’s Day itself.
Nonetheless, she says his arrival was a great way to start the new year for their entire family, which also includes Sylas’s older brother Santiago. Velazquez says she thinks Santiago might act a bit jealous of his new baby brother, but he has definitely been excited for his arrival.
As is tradition, the family not only went home with their newest member, but also with a gift basket of toys, books, baby supplies and more courtesy of the Newman Regional Health volunteers.
