It has become a competition of sorts in the U.S. Virgin Islands to see which island has the first baby of the New Year. In for 2013 St. Croix had the honor of welcoming the first baby of the year to the community.
The little bundle of joy delivered on New Year’s morning was Senrya Zion Stapleton, who arrived at 1:57 a.m. at Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital. The new member of the community weighed in at 5 pounds, 10 ounces and is 19 inches long.
The little princess was expected to make her grand entrance Jan. 17, so it was a surprise to mother Josolyn Rodriquez when her water broke Monday around 3:45 p.m. She was hoping the baby would arrive on her birthday, Jan. 13. She never imagined she would have the first baby of 2013.
“She kicked St. Thomas’ butt,” Rodriquez said “I know she’s going to be something else.”
Rodriquez added that the infant moved a lot during her pregnancy. “This chick is very busy and on the move.”
Rodriquez arrived to the hospital at 8 p.m. and labor progressed fairly quickly. Donna Lockhart, Rodriquez’s midwife throughout her pregnancy, handled the delivery.
Rodriquez said Lockhart was a great coach for the natural birth. “She made it easy when I felt like pulling my hair out,” she said.
Rodriquez said the baby came out with her tiny hand holding her face.
“I was very happy from the first moment I saw her. I’m extremely blessed,” Rodriquez said while holding her baby close and admiring her. “I’m glad I had a girl. She’s my princess.”
The little one had on a white stocking hat covering her curly black hair and was dressed in orchid and pink striped sleepers on New Year’s morning. ,%20gives%20gifts%20to%20Josolyn%20Rodriquez%20%20and%20%20%20little%20Senrya%20%20Zion%20Stapleton_.jpg "Sonia Boyce of the New Horizon Women's Democratic Club, left, gives gifts to Josolyn Rodriquez and little Senrya Zion Stapleton.")
JFL and Democratic Party members showered Rodriquez and Senrya with gifts of baby essentials.
Andrea Fredericks, manager of guest relations for the hospital, presented gifts to the healthy mom and baby.
Sonia Boyce of the New Horizon Women’s Democratic Club also stopped by to present the new baby with gift bags, and she promised there were more gifts to come.
Rodriquez said she has received really good care at JFL. “From the time I came in, the nurses have explained everything in detail and walked me through everything.”
Rodriquez has three other children, two boys and a girl. Dwane Stapleton is Senrya’s father.
Across the water on St. Thomas, Jolene Charleverin gave birth to a 20-inch long, 8-pound, 10-ounce healthy baby boy at Roy Lester Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas at 2:59 p.m. Tuesday.
Nurse midwife Janet Bennett attended at the natural birth. According to charge nurse Yvette Scarbriel, Charleverin’s contractions started at 6 a.m. and she checked in at 10 a.m.
“Mom and baby are doing well,” Scarbriel said. “The baby is healthy and breast feeding and bonding with the mother.”
She said the only problem during labor and delivery was that Charleverin, a native Haitian, spoke mostly Creole and very little English.
The parents are still contemplating what to name the baby. They thought they had time to decide since he was due Jan. 10.
Scarbriel said it is always exciting to deliver and welcome the island’s first baby of the New Year.
