New Year’s Surprise

Christine Parthree thought she was coming to Bethel just for a wedding, but Kylie Paradise Parthree had other ideas. (Herald photo / Bob Eddy)

Visiting Vermont on New Year’s Eve for a wedding, Christine Parthree got more than she expected, giving birth to the first baby of 2006 at Gifford Medical Center on New Year’s day. Kylie Paradise Parthree was delivered by Caesarian section at 9:42 a.m., Monday, by Dr. Ellamarie Russo DeMara.

Kylie’s birth was expected Jan. 19. A C-section was planned for that date in a hospital closer to South Easton, Mass., where Christine is living with her husband’s family.

Kylie’s dad, Sean Parthree, is currently serving as a specialist in Mosul, Iraq, with the 172^nd Strike Brigade. His mother, Susan Parthree, who brought Christine to Vermont for the Bethel wedding of Sean’s cousin, Cassie Bath to Justin Merrill, reports that Spec. Parthree was going to surprise his wife by flying home for the birth. Those plans have changed, though a visit later this month is still in the works.

Dad’s surprise may be "out of the bag," but six-pound, nine-ounce Kylie, at a robust 19", has delivered more than enough surprises of her own.

The Dec. 31 wedding was held at Dandelion Acres in Bethel.

"I didn’t dance at the reception, but I guess I was up and down a lot," Christine remembered with a smile from her bed at Gifford Wednesday.

"I awoke around 4:30 a.m. and went into the bathroom. My water broke, a phone call was made, and five hours later, Kylie was here."

Mom reports that Dr. DeMara and the Gifford staff have been great. A Saturday return to Massachusetts is planned.

By Bob Eddy