A new year has brought a joyous arrival to Midland, with the birth of Remington Lorraine Kempf, marking the first baby born in 2026 at MyMichigan Medical Center. She entered the world at 2:05 a.m. on January 1, weighing 7 pounds and measuring 20 1/4 inches in length.
Remy, as she will be affectionately known, is the first child of proud parents Chyann Walter and Bryce Kempf. Both families are celebrating the arrival of their first grandchild, adding to the excitement surrounding her birth.
The anticipation for Remy’s arrival had been building, as Chyann was scheduled for a C-section on January 5. However, she went into labor unexpectedly around 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve while at their home in Standish. Bryce recounted the rush to the hospital, saying, “That’s when we rushed to the hospital here in Midland.” The couple arrived at MyMichigan shortly after midnight, and Chyann was taken into the operating room about an hour later, where Dr. Logan Steffke successfully delivered Remy via C-section.
For Chyann, the experience of becoming a mother is indescribable. “Best feeling in the world. She’s my little bundle of joy,” she shared. Bryce echoed this sentiment, expressing his excitement about fatherhood: “Honestly, it feels great. It’s a great feeling to be a dad.” The news of Remy being the first baby of the year came as a delightful surprise to both parents. “I was definitely surprised. I definitely was not expecting that news,” Chyann said.
In recognition of her status as the first baby born in 2026, the hospital presented Remy with several gifts, including blankets, books, and some formula. The family is looking forward to returning home, with hopes to leave the hospital on January 5.
Reflecting on the joy Remy has already brought into their lives, Bryce remarked, “It was a wonderful New Year’s gift, it definitely was. And I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.” As the Kempf family celebrates this momentous occasion, their story highlights the joy and hope that a new life brings, ushering in the new year with love and excitement.
