First time parents from Fergus have Grove's New Year's baby

FERGUS – A Fergus couple welcomed in the new year in a big way by having first baby of 2025 at Groves Hospital. 

Maeve Barry Roberts was born on New Year’s Day at 6:25 a.m. in Groves Memorial Community Hospital to Fergus residents Brittany and Jake Roberts. 

In a phone interview on Wednesday, Jake Roberts explained Brittany’s water broke early Tuesday morning and she was induced that evening.

He said they were unsure if they would end up having the New Year’s baby.

“There was another couple across the hall, they were talking with us yesterday (New Year’s Eve) and they were like ‘are you guys going to be the New Year’s baby or us?’” Jake said. “We haven’t heard from them and I know they got induced late because they went home so I think it was just us.”

The newborn weighed seven pounds and 12 ounces and is the couple’s first after being together for four years and married for two.

“When you bring a new life into this world it’s a wild experience I would say, especially getting to watch it firsthand,” Jake said. “Now you get to care for her for the rest of your life and watch them grow and progress and have their good days and their bad days just like we got. Hopefully more good days than bad days.”