Arriving right on time
January 6, 2026
Brookings Health System
BROOKINGS — Noelle Ira Stangle, the daughter of Carlyn and Sam Stangle of Brandt, was born at 4:26 p.m. on Jan. 1, making her the first baby of the New Year at Brookings Health System. She weighed 8 lbs., 10 oz. and measured 20.5 inches long.
Noelle arrived right on cue, something her parents weren’t prepared for. Her due date was Jan. 1, but the Stangles thought they’d have a few more days to prepare.
Carlyn admits she just completed the flooring in the nursery two days before Noelle’s arrival.
“She’s a first baby,” said Carlyn. “They say you usually wait a week and a day for a first baby. But labor started on the 31st. I’d been having what I thought was false labor since seven o’clock in the morning. It started getting more intense and more regular at 11 that night, and that’s when I thought it might be leading into real labor.”
While Carlyn was timing contractions, Sam was putting in the finishing touches on their nursery and finally went to bed himself at 3 a.m.
“She woke me up a half hour later and said we’re going to the hospital,” said Sam.
While at the hospital, the Stangles were informed there was a competition between them and another couple for the New Year’s baby. Noelle arrived about an hour or two before the other newborn and took the title.
The Stangles are quite smitten with their new baby and have already bonded with her and noticed unique traits. Dad’s voice calms her down and she likes to go to sleep while listening to him tell her stories. She also has an earlobe with a double fold that runs in the paternal side of Mom’s family and she is ticklish on her sides, just like her mother.
“I know there will be a celebration because she’s the first grand baby on both side for us,” said Carlyn. “I know she will be very spoiled. I’m expecting our house to be a revolving door of relations for the next few months.”
As for advice for other parents planning to have a baby in 2026, Sam says, “Finish the baby room before you think you’re going to need it. I thought we had another week, or at least another three days. Turned out to not be the case.”
Like all newborns born at New Beginnings Birth Center, Noelle received a Team Isaac sleep sack and other essential educational items for her parents on safe sleep practices.
As the New Year’s Baby, Noelle and her parents also received special gifts from the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Deb Gulbrandson, Denise Avila, Nana’s House Country Crafts & Needlework by Jeri Kurtz and Tend.