It’s a girl!  Rachel Christine Duncan.  Nine pounds, four ounces.  Born about 5:15AM on Wednesday, September 2^nd.

Here is some of the detail.  I got a call a little after three o’clock yesterday afternoon – Ben said the contractions were getting strong.  Carolyn was busy finishing up her day over at Biola.  (Lori was gathering things up, getting Mom [Grandma Lorry] ready to head over to the emergency room at Placentia Olinda Hospital – see POST.)

I packed up fast and jumped in the car for Fontana.  Carolyn was behind me by about an hour.  We arrived to a family excited about the delivery.  Kristyn had been working on the treadmill for about an hour, then for a long walk with Grandma Carolyn just to be sure.  We had a ceremonial farewell on the driveway, and Ben and Kris were off to the hospital.  We all went back inside and watched a classic kid-flick, “Gooby.”

About nine o’clock, the front door opened just as the movie hit the big finish, and in walked Ben with Kris behind.  The doctors turned them away, and sent them home.  But not before they scheduled an appointment for Kristyn to have her water broken at eight o’clock the next morning just to get things going.

The kids all went to bed.  Ben said they would leave about seven the next morning.  I dropped off to sleep.

When I got up about at six, all was quiet.  I picked up my iPhone and turned it on.  A text message popped up.  “It’s a girl!   Nine pounds four ounces.”  I wasn’t sure my eyes were working right.  I looked again… sure enough, the message was sent only minutes before.  I called Ben.  He was in line at the McDonald’s drive-through, picking up a quick breakfast.  He filled me in.

Kris woke up with strong contractions somewhere around two-thirty or three.  By three thirty, they were in the car.  She was admitted about four, and Rachel was born shortly after five.  All natural.  No epidural.  The doctors barely got there in time.  “Don’t push!” they said.  “Let us get ready!”

Kris let them know in no uncertain terms that waiting was not going to happen.  Ben said she pushed hard three times, and boom.  Rachel was born.  “Wow!” Kristyn said to Ben.  “That HURT!”

Safe and sound.  Mother and child.

We are getting the crew ready to head over and meet Rachel.  Stay tuned for more stories, corrections and additions… and you can guess, photos, too.