Area welcomes first baby of new year

By Amelia Harper

Staff Writer, Rocky Mount Telegram

The first baby of the Twin Counties came early this year, making his appearance just 14 minutes after 2020 was rung in.

Brayden Lee was born to parents Crystal Capps and Brandon Williams, both of Wilson.

“It’s awesome to the be the parents of the first baby of the new year,” Capps said, “especially since it is the beginning of a new decade, too.”

In addition to becoming the first baby of the new year, Brayden brought several other firsts to the family. He is Crystal Capps’ first baby and Audrey Capps’ first grandchild.

“This is exciting,” Williams said. “We really did not expect to have the first baby of the new year. It is a lot to take in.”

Brayden came about three weeks early, Capps said. She began experiencing problems with high blood pressure, so her doctors made the decision to induce labor Monday afternoon. After about a day and half in labor, Crystal finally gave birth just after the new year began.

“It was a long process,” Capps said, who serves as a pharmacy technician at Drugco Pharmacy in Nashville.

As a result, Capps not only gained the gift of a sweet baby boy, but also received an enormous gift basket containing lots of practical gifts and special treats for baby and parents alike. The gift basket was courtesy of Nash UNC Health Care but contained gifts and good will from the local community as well, said Boots Vandemark, a nurse perinatal educator who coordinated the creation of the gift basket.

“This is a great gift basket,” Capps said.

Though Capps lives in Wilson, she decided to give birth at the Women’s Center at Nash UNC Health Care.

“I felt this was a better hospital,” Capps said. “Looking at it overall, Nash had a way better labor and delivery area. And this hospital was closer to my work, so it made it better as far as appointments.”

Capps said she has been impressed with the nursing staff that helped her over her long birthing experience.

“The nursing staff has been excellent,” Capps said. “I could not have asked for a better nursing staff. I had one nurse here both nights, and she was the one who helped deliver the baby.”

With a grin, Williams disagreed.

“I feel like I did all the work,” he said.

Brayden’s grandmother defended Williams.

“He was a big help,” Capps said. “I will give him that.”