Charles Crane/MDN Parents Mackenzie Stayton and Charlie Andrus snuggle up with their newborn Dakota Ray Andrus, who was the first baby born at Trinity Hospital in 2025.

New Year’s Day came and went, but the first baby born at Trinity Hospital in Minot in 2025 finally made his appearance shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday.

Dakota Ray Andrus was born about two weeks early, according to his parents, Mackenzie Stayton and Charlie Andrus of Turtle Lake. The baby boy weighed in at 6 pounds 14 ounces and measuring 18.25 inches.

Andrus, who owns a construction company, said he was in the middle of a flooring project when he got word that Stayton had gone into labor.

“He definitely decided to surprise us. Definitely know why they say babies come at their own time,” Stayton said. “I should have believed my 3-year-old. She told me (yesterday) morning the baby was coming out of my tummy soon. I did not believe her. She was definitely right.”

Dakota joins his older sister and brother, who also have January birthdays.

“A lot of excitement. We’re always going to have an exciting beginning to the year,” Stayton said.