Magic City Family Rings in 2026 with First Baby Born at St. Vincent Regional

The Magic City welcomed 2026 with its most precious New Year's surprise — a baby boy who couldn't wait for his original due date.

Jer'Aki Mason LaForge made his grand entrance at 10:43 a.m. on New Year's Day at St. Vincent Regional Hospital, earning the special distinction of being Billings' first baby of 2026.

His mother, Mariah LaForge, and father, Caleb Mason, were caught completely off guard by their son's early arrival.

The timing stunned the young family — Jer'Aki's due date wasn't until the very end of January, making his New Year's debut a complete shock.

The healthy newborn weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long, joining his older brother Nathaniel LaForge-Mason in what promises to be a household full of unique birthdays.

The LaForge family has developed quite a tradition of memorable birth dates — Mariah's birthday falls on August 8th, Nathaniel was born on June 6th, and now Jer'Aki claims January 1st.

Even the baby's name carries deep family significance.

According to Mariah, Jer'Aki combines the names of her two younger brothers — Jeremiah and Malaki — with J-E-R from Jeremiah and A-K-I from Malaki.

For St. Vincent Regional Hospital, this New Year's baby arrives during a transformative period for the medical facility.

Construction officially broke ground in 2025 on a massive replacement hospital project that will redefine healthcare in the Billings area.

The new 14-floor, 737,000-square-foot replacement hospital will include 243 beds and is set to open in 2029, representing a critical investment in modern healthcare for Montana families like the LaForges.

Hospital staff say moments like Jer'Aki's birth remind them why they chose healthcare — each new arrival symbolizes hope and fresh starts for both families and the broader Yellowstone County community.

The LaForge family's New Year's surprise caps off what hospital officials describe as another successful year of delivering comprehensive care to families across the four-state region.

FAQ:

What makes a New Year's baby special in Billings? New Year's babies represent fresh beginnings for families and serve as symbols of hope for the entire community, especially when born at major regional medical centers like St. Vincent.

How common are early births like Jer'Aki's? Babies arriving nearly a month before their due dates require careful monitoring, but healthy early arrivals like Jer'Aki often thrive with proper medical care and family support.

What's happening with St. Vincent Regional Hospital? The hospital is undergoing a major transformation with construction of a new 14-story facility that will become one of Montana's most advanced medical centers when it opens in 2029.