It took awhile for Kris and Ben to accept the plain fact that Kate was in the breach position, and wasn’t about to re-arrange her settled in state.  Last minute efforts to manipulate a rotation proved to be just too risky.

So the good news is that Kate’s delivery was scheduled.  It trimmed away what otherwise would have been hours of hard labor.  I was there at just before seven on Friday morning when the doctor dropped by.   Kris was freshly prepped for her surgery.  Ben stood by.  I think the doc knew he was going to be working with someone very special.  He looked across the bed at the woman’s dad and her husband, and I think he thought about what he’d be dealing with if he messed up.  But his self-assurance and friendly manner made us all feel confident.  The doc smiled and after some brief pre-op banter, he left.  I’ll never forget those quiet moments there with Ben and Kris.

Thanks to the prayers of many and the tireless research and good counsel, Kris had a peace that only God can give.  It’s hard to put into words the pride of this father in his daughter – the amazing person she’s become. 

A “c-section” is in the “major surgery” category.  So while Kris lay post-op on the hospital bed, she worked to smile and seem in a celebratory mood, she clearly showed the signs of the high impact passage she just crossed through moments before.  (The photos capture it – see the last post – smiles through the discomfort.)  The drugs and the trauma to her body took their toll.  In spite of all that, as you will see, Kristyn was, from the first moments, an incredibly beautiful mom. 

I heard her say under her breath, “Oh… if I could only escape this body…”

But after a long, well earned nap, the heaviness of the medications wore off, and her marathon runs kicked in.  She bounced back.  The laughter and hugs and tears all flowed easily as all of us welcomed Kate. 

Ben’s folks were planning to come up from Escondido on the weekend, but couldn’t stay away.  They made the trip, and joined right in. 

Some of those moments are captured in digital images I hope you will enjoy as we do…

LATER THE FIRST DAY – SLIDE SHOW

All POSTS RE KATE