Concord Hospital rings in New Year with two babies born hours apart

Two babies arrived at Concord Hospital just seven hours apart — but in two different years. 

At 9:22 p.m. on Dec. 31, Caroline Margaret Reed made her entrance, perfectly timing her arrival to let her parents, Elizabeth and Christopher Reed, welcome the New Year with a brand-new reason to celebrate. 

“It’s just a crazy way to ring in the New Year,” Elizabeth said with a soft smile, gazing down at her newborn. “Not exactly how we expected.”

Arriving two weeks early, Caroline became the very last baby born at the hospital in 2025.

Just a few doors down on the same hospital floor, the turn of the calendar brought another bundle of joy. At 4:31 p.m. on Jan. 1, Hadassah Grace Callix was born to Alexis and Eddy Callix. Like Caroline, she arrived ahead of schedule, becoming the first baby to be born at the hospital in 2026.

“She’s a very special baby,” Alexis said as she cradled her sleeping daughter in her arms.

Both mothers, 29 years old, were caught off guard by their babies’ sudden arrivals. 

Elizabeth had gone about her day, working as a baker at a farm in Meredith and finishing her shift at 2:30 p.m., while Christopher was at work in the fire department in Nashua. 

Soon, he received a text from her saying she felt their baby was coming early. 

“I could hear that she was starting to lose her breath in between sentences and everything,” Christopher said, remembering how she sounded on the phone while he drove home. “It was a little nerve-wracking, driving home, not knowing how far along she was and really what to expect, just because we haven’t done it before.”

The Reeds said they can’t wait to go home, where their two dogs are eagerly waiting to meet their 7-pound, 2-ounce baby girl.

“Mom kicked butt,” said Christopher. “You wouldn’t know it was her first time.”

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Meanwhile, Alexis had been in active labor for two weeks, unsure exactly when her baby would decide to come. 

On Wednesday, she and her family braved snowy, slippery roads from their home in Hillsborough to reach the hospital.

Her mother, Renee Guzman, recalled the tense ride. While Alexis was having contractions, she and Eddy were trying to figure out the safest way to get to the hospital.

“Alexis was just like, ‘Get me there!’ The car was sliding everywhere. We were kind of bracing,” Guzman said.  

Alexis said that the 20-minute drive felt harder than the birth itself, making it feel like it took hours instead of minutes.

But in the end, it was all worth it.

After nine months of anticipation, the relief and joy of finally holding her baby were overwhelming, she said. 

“When you hear the first cry and see her eyes open, it’s the best feeling that you finally did it,” Alexis said. “You finally get to meet who you’ve been helping grow for nine months. It’s a great feeling.”

Her daughter, weighing 6 lbs. 11 oz., will be joining two older brothers.

“She’s a peanut,” said Alexis. “It’s a whole new experience. We’ve got pinks and purples now and bows, and it’s very awesome.”

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