Staff photo by Fritz Busch Tamira Joy Rudolph of New Ulm holds her daughter, New Ulm’s first baby of 2026, Alison Elizabeth Rudolph of New Ulm at New Ulm Medical Center Friday. Alison Rudolph was born eight days early, at 11:29 a.m. Thursday. She weighed seven pounds, 14 ounces and was 26 inches long.

NEW ULM — The first New Ulm baby of 2026 came 11 and ½ hours into the new year.

Alison Elizabeth Rudolph was born at 11:29 a.m. Thursday at New Ulm Medical Center. Born to Tamira Joy Rudolph, Alison weighed seven pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 inches long. She was born eight days before her due date of Jan. 9.

Alison’s grandmother, Crystal Elizabeth Rudolph of Sleepy Eye said her daughter went into labor Monday.

“The baby went into distress Wednesday night so the doctor decided it was better for baby and mother to go ahead with the delivery. Everything went good. She came out perfect. She’s very loved,” Crystal Rudolph.

“She’s a hungry, little girl. She’s my first baby,” said Tamira Rudolph. “She’s bottled and keeps moving her lips when she isn’t drinking. She’s a happy little baby. She only cried a couple time and not for very long.”

Alison could be heard sucking on her milk bottle in the hospital birth center room.

Tamira Rudolph, 20, said she’s used to dealing with small children. She is a certified CDA (Child Development Associate) pre-school teacher at Little Rascal’s Learning Center in New Ulm.

“I love it. I’ve been working at Little Rascals since high school,” she said about the job she’s had for two years.

“I like hanging out with friends too, if I have time,” said Rudolph.

New Ulm Medical Center Birth Center staff said 317 babies were born in 2025 — 162 boys and 155 girls. April had the most deliveries, 34. February had the fewest deliveries, 21.