ARLINGTON, TEXAS -
Kathryne Rivero is waiting for the birth of her first daughter. Her C-section is minutes away and at this moment, she says she could not be happier.
"I've been on a roller coaster of emotions, right now I'm happy, but sad that he's not here." Says Kathryne.
Technically, Kathryne's husband Mark isn't in Arlington, he's based in Ramadi, Iraq. But Mark says that technologically, he's as close as can be.
"She's my first girl, she's daddy's girl. I was there for the first two, so I wanted to be there for this one." Says Mark.
Kathryne says she didn't like the possibility of Mark not getting to see the birth.
"One night, I woke up around two O' clock in the morning and it hit me that my husband is not going to be able to see, he's not going to be able to hear, he's not going to be able to hold his baby girl." Says Kathryne.
That's when Texas Health Resources and military officials arranged for a Skype connection, basically a video conference call, so Mark could see the birth of his first daughter. Mark watched and listened as doctors delivered Aubryana, all 5 pounds 8 ounces of her. Aubryana was born at 12:59 pm Texas time, that's 9:59 pm in Ramadi, 7,186 miles away. Through time and distance, Mark and Kathryne both shared their daughters first cry. Kathryne says technology brought them closer.
"It was different, but the same emotion, we really feel blessed to have our baby here and she is healthy." Says Kathryne.
As for Mark, he says the holidays are already here.
"I mean, I don't have to wait for Christmas or anything like that, this is just the best gift ever." Says Mark.
To make it even better, next month, Mark will get to meet his daughter when he comes home for a two week vacation.
"I've been on a roller coaster of emotions, right now I'm happy, but sad that he's not here." Says Kathryne.
Technically, Kathryne's husband Mark isn't in Arlington, he's based in Ramadi, Iraq. But Mark says that technologically, he's as close as can be.
"She's my first girl, she's daddy's girl. I was there for the first two, so I wanted to be there for this one." Says Mark.
Kathryne says she didn't like the possibility of Mark not getting to see the birth.
"One night, I woke up around two O' clock in the morning and it hit me that my husband is not going to be able to see, he's not going to be able to hear, he's not going to be able to hold his baby girl." Says Kathryne.
That's when Texas Health Resources and military officials arranged for a Skype connection, basically a video conference call, so Mark could see the birth of his first daughter. Mark watched and listened as doctors delivered Aubryana, all 5 pounds 8 ounces of her. Aubryana was born at 12:59 pm Texas time, that's 9:59 pm in Ramadi, 7,186 miles away. Through time and distance, Mark and Kathryne both shared their daughters first cry. Kathryne says technology brought them closer.
"It was different, but the same emotion, we really feel blessed to have our baby here and she is healthy." Says Kathryne.
As for Mark, he says the holidays are already here.
"I mean, I don't have to wait for Christmas or anything like that, this is just the best gift ever." Says Mark.
To make it even better, next month, Mark will get to meet his daughter when he comes home for a two week vacation.
