Special Delivery: Lakeview Hospital’s First Baby Of 2018

STILLWATER, MN — The first baby of 2018 born at Lakeview Hospital made his appearance at 4:11 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2018. Charles Stormont, weighing 6 pounds and 3 ounces and measuring 19 inches, was born in the to parents Samira Azarin and Alex Stormont from Woodbury.

It was an extra-special delivery for Lakeview nurse Karissa Ashley. She was the New Year’s baby herself at Hudson Hospital in 1980, and as Charles arrived on Jan. 2, it meant she was able to be part of the team at his arrival – even working a double shift so she could stay until he was delivered.

“This is the first New Year baby that I’ve been involved with, in 16 years at Lakeview Hospital,” said Karissa in a statement. “I generally like to take my birthday off, so it was pretty fun to be involved with the birth of this New Year baby.”

When Karissa learned her patient was likely to deliver the first baby of 2018 at Lakeview Hospital, she offered additional encouragement.

“In the morning, I said, ‘OK, I work until 3 p.m. and I was a New Year baby myself, but I have never been involved with the birth of one. You can do this!’” she said. “It was a beautiful birth – they are a very sweet couple.”

Nurses presented the family with a basket of goodies in celebration of being the first newborn of the New Year, according to a news release.

Edward (Eddy) Hintze-Graf snuck in as the last baby born at Lakeview Hospital in 2017, arriving a couple of days ahead of schedule at 11:08 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to proud Stillwater parents Jessica Hintze and Tony Graf and big sister Zoey, six, who was also born at Lakeview. Eddy was named after his great-grandfather.

Photos show in order:

• Birth Center RN Karissa Ashley, herself a New Year baby, holds Lakeview’s 2018 New Year baby, Charles Stormont
  
• Charles Stormont, the first baby of 2018 to be born at Lakeview Hospital
• Jessica Hintze and Tony Graf with Edward (Eddy) Hintze-Graf, the last baby of 2017 to be born at Lakeview Hospital
  
• Edward (Eddy) Hintze-Graf, the last baby of 2017 to be born at Lakeview Hospital

Photo credit: Lakeview Hospital