Continuing what appears to be a Northcutt family trend, Cora Belle Northcutt arrived this morning at 10:50 AM, four weeks early but healthy and happy.

Marla’s water broke yesterday while the kids and I were at the pool. She walked out to meet us poolside and calmly informed me that we probably ought to make our way to the hospital. Emma and Henry were picked up by some local friends – thank you Chris and Rain! – and by 6:30 PM on the 9th we were admitted to Mission Hospital.

Marla had no contractions to speak of and the doctor was in no hurry to induce so we waited through the night, hoping Mother Nature would take her course.

Alas, this was not to be. By 7 AM this morning, 12 hours after admission, the doctor had decided to induce. Remembering the last time around, when I barely made it to the hospital, I wisely waited by Marla’s side the whole time.

I impressed the nurse with my geekiness when, after asking for some history on the last delivery, I whipped up our website on the iPhone and read off the details of Henry’s birth. Score one point for all nerds out there.

Marla had wanted a natural child birth but by 10:15 the pain was too much and she called for an epidural. The anesthesiologist arrived at 10:40 and began the laborious process of inserting the catheter.

After pronouncing success he said he was ready to administer the “test dose” to make sure he’d hit the right spot when Marla called for him to stop.

“I have to push!” she said.

We were all a bit stunned, nurses included. They patronizingly said, “No, no. Just breathe…” Checking Marla, though, they discovered that the baby was crowning and immediately called for the doctor.

Cora was determined to be free, though, and had no patience for this “doctor” person. And, so, at 10:50 AM she arrived, weighing in at 5 lbs 1 oz and measuring 17 1/2 inches.

The doctor arrived 15 minutes later in time to give Marla a hug and tell her nice work.