Oak Harbor couple welcomes Island County's first baby of 2026

Leola and Ben McWilliams of Oak Harbor welcomed their first child, daughter Daileen, at 10:22 p.m. on Jan. 1 at the WhidbeyHealth Family Birthplace. Daileen weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured nearly 21 inches, arriving after a notably swift labor that required about five minutes of pushing.

The birth registered as Island County’s first baby of 2026, a small milestone that punctuates New Year traditions for many local families and the hospital staff who handle deliveries on Whidbey. The McWilliamses moved to Whidbey roughly a year ago; Ben is assigned to the local naval base, underscoring the continuing presence of military families in the Oak Harbor community.

For the hospital, rapid deliveries like this test both preparation and adaptability. WhidbeyHealth Family Birthplace remains the primary facility on the island for labor and delivery, serving residents from Oak Harbor and surrounding areas. Quick labors can influence staffing decisions and emergency protocols; local health administrators and expectant parents alike watch such cases for lessons about readiness and transport times across the island’s roads and bridges.

The arrival of a first child carries logistical and social implications for a close-knit island community. New parents often rely on a network of support that includes neighbors, base resources, and local healthcare providers. For military families in particular, timing and housing stability can be crucial as service assignments and relocations intersect with childbirth and early parenthood.

Community interest in the island’s first baby of the year is both sentimental and practical. Celebrations and announcements lift local morale in winter months and draw attention to the services that support families through delivery and postpartum care. The McWilliamses’ quick delivery also serves as a reminder to expecting parents to review plans for getting to the hospital, who to call, and what supplies to have ready when labor begins earlier than expected.

Our two cents? If you or someone you love is expecting on Whidbey, treat rapid labor as a real possibility: keep essentials packed, confirm your route to WhidbeyHealth Family Birthplace, and make sure your support contacts know the plan. Small preparations can make a big difference when minutes matter.