Dan Hust | Democrat WHETHER HE HAD been the first baby of 2009 in Sullivan County or not, Christopher’s family would still be as happy as they were when this photo was taken the day after he was born. From the left are paternal grandmother Alberta Jimenez, Uncle Jorge Vital, dad Victor Vital, mom Crystal Wakefield with Christopher, and Uncle Benny Vital.

CRMC welcomes first baby of 2009

By Dan Hust
HARRIS — Catskill Regional Medical Center’s Birthing Unit Clinical Director, Jane Stuart, is proud to say that the Harris hospital’s maternity ward jumped from 427 births in 2007 to 702 in 2008.
And 2009’s Baby #1 arrived at 3:19 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Proud parents Crystal L. Wakefield and Victor Vital, engaged to be married, welcomed little Christopher into the world that day, unexpectedly also becoming the parents of the first baby born in Sullivan County in 2009.
“It was a tough labor, but it was worth it,” related a beaming Crystal, a 25-year-old resident of South Fallsburg.
“I’m very happy,” added a smiling Victor, 27, while family gathered inside the birthing suite on Friday.
The parents had expected a birthday around January 13, but the earlier delivery worked out just fine.
“He [Victor] wanted it on Christmas, and I wanted it on a holiday,” Crystal said.
Christopher, weighing in at 7 pounds and 5.8 ounces, seemed comfortably tired inside a crib large enough for his 21-inch frame.
His parents were grateful for the care of obstetrician Dr. Florence Jean-Louis of CRMC’s Women’s Health Center and pediatrician Dr. Jeffrey Weinstein of Catskill Adult and Pediatric Medicine of Monticello.
Their thanks also extended to the talented employees of CRMC’s Birthing Unit, who made sure to give the new family a framed picture of their baby boy.
“The staff was excellent,” Crystal remarked, adding that the well-appointed birthing suite made her feel at home.
Her mother, now “Grammie” Linda Sue Wakefield, gave birth to her brother, new Uncle Jeffrey Lynn Wakefield Jr., at CRMC, known then as Community General Hospital of Sullivan County.
Also welcoming Christopher to the family is his Aunt Jessica Lynn Wakefield, “Gramps” Jeffrey Lynn Wakefield, and on the paternal side, Grandma Alberta Jimenez, Grandpa Victor Vital Sr., and uncles Benny and Jorge Vital.