Some moments feel perfectly timed. When Kelly Kilpatrick Wendt and Heath Wendt welcomed their baby at Sleepy Eye Medical Center, the stars aligned in an unexpected way. The couple, who chose to wait until birth to learn their baby’s sex, heard “American Girl” by Tom Petty as their daughter, Adaline Wendt, was delivered by C-section—courtesy of a playlist curated by SEMC operating room nurse Andy Christensen.
“He came over and told us right away that she was a girl,” Kelly recalled. “It was really cool.”
Adaline was born on January 2, 2026, at 9:11 p.m., weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long. She was delivered by Dr. Karlyn Armbruster and is Sleepy Eye Medical Center’s first baby of the new year.
“I was excited and happy,” Kelly said. “It was so cool to find out she was the New Year’s baby,” she added, noting that Heath shared in the excitement of the moment.
While the delivery was longer and more challenging than expected, meeting their daughter made it all worthwhile.
“It was a hard and long delivery, and things didn’t go quite as planned,” Kelly said. “But it’s so rewarding to have a beautiful little girl after it all.”
Kelly shared that she never thought she would have children. However, after watching her sister experience motherhood, her perspective changed.
“I really wanted to know that kind of maternal love,” she said.
Despite the challenges of delivery, Kelly and Heath expressed deep appreciation for the care and support they received from the SEMC team.
“Everyone was amazing,” said Heath.
“So friendly, kind, and supportive,” Kelly added. “I don’t think I’ve ever met such amazing people. Everyone has been so open and comforting to be around.”
Kelly and Heath look forward to spending time with their daughter at home in Sanborn, Minnesota, as they begin this new chapter and share Adaline’s arrival with their friends and family.
To celebrate the New Year’s Baby, SEMC staff presented Adaline with a gift basket filled with baby outfits, toys, books, and other essentials. Kelly also received a self-care basket to support her recovery and transition into motherhood.