She didn’t think it would happen, though.

But in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, Nova Rain Nicotera became the first baby of 2026 for Adirondack Health’s Stafford New Life Center.

It was unexpected for Kennedy and her fiancee Bryce Nicotera. Nova’s due date was Jan. 19.

“I wanted her to be the first baby of the new year, but I did not expect her to be,” Kennedy said. “I thought I’d go right to my due date.”

Nova Rain Nicotera was the first baby of the year born at Adirondack Medical Center. (Provided photo)

Nova is their first child.

Kennedy said they found out after the fact that Nova was the first baby of the year here. Nicotera said they were “surprised and shocked.”

“It was actually something that my wonderful fiancee wanted to happen,” he said.

He said it’s a reminder that sometimes dreams come true.

Kennedy said she was bouncing around a lot of baby girl names.

Monica Kennedy and Bryce Nicotera hold their new baby girl, Nova Rain Nicotera, and the welcome basket they received at Adirondack Health’s Stafford New Life Center as they brought Nova home Monday morning. Nova was the first baby of 2026 at AMC. (Provided photo — Adirondack Health)

“‘Nova Rain’ kept popping up in my head,” Kennedy said.

One day, she texted Nicotera while he was at work and asked how he felt about the name. He thought it was beautiful.

The couple said Dr. Jeffrey Dodge and all the obstetrics nurses at Adirondack Medical Center were compassionate, caring and helpful the entire time — through their questions and nerves.

“(Dodge) was there every step of the way,” Nicotera said.

Despite an early arrival, Kennedy said her birthing experience went smoothly, and baby Nova is healthy and happy.

“It was fabulous. She’s very mellow and calm,” Kennedy said.

They were released from the hospital on Monday. Nicotera said Nova is “shockingly” a pretty quiet person and only cries when she’s hungry. They slept deeply after getting home, but he said that might not continue for long.

Nicotera has been a volunteer firefighter. He currently works at Sunmount in Tupper Lake. Kennedy plans to be a stay-at-home mother.

Being nine months pregnant during the holidays has pros and cons, Kennedy said. Their family got Nova a lot of gifts for Christmas. But it’s been busy, too.

“It was the holidays and then, here you go, you have a whole baby right, literally, after the holidays,” Kennedy said. “It was great. I’m happy she’s here.”

The couple had been trying for three years. Nicotera thought he wouldn’t be able to have a kid.

He called Nova their “miracle baby.”

“She’s a blessing, really,” he said.

Kennedy and Nicotera recently moved from Tupper Lake to St. Regis Falls to give Nova a good home with a yard, woods and peaceful and quiet landscape to grow up enjoying the outdoors.

“I honestly hope that she has a better childhood than we did,” Nicotera said.

He said they want to be the best parents. He knows parents are never perfect, but that they’ll try their best to be their best.

He’s also hoping Nova stays out of trouble when she’s old enough to make it.

“I really want her to feel like she can do anything in life,” he said. “If you want to work for something but it’s so hard to get, work for it. Take your time. It’s only a matter of time for you to be able to achieve it.”