BABY IN BIG HURRY SURPRISED FATHER DELIVERS LITTLE GIRL.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

ROSAMOND - When Jon Morgan drove his wife, Patricia, to the hospital while she was in labor with their first child, his biggest fear was that he wouldn't make it in time.

But he didn't even have time Sunday to worry about making the 20-minute drive to Lancaster. Patricia's labor progressed so quickly, the Computer Sciences Corp. employee delivered their second baby on their living room floor.

``Always my biggest fear with kids was whether I could make it to the hospital or not,'' Jon said after bringing his wife and new baby - 7-pound, 1-ounce Callie - home from the hospital. ``I don't worry about that anymore.''

The couple's adventure began just after 10 p.m. Sunday when Patricia was awakened by labor pains. She told Jon and, like any good Lamaze coach, he timed the contractions. After a few pains came in at about five minutes apart, he woke their 18-month-old daughter Melissa and carried her to a neighbor to be baby-sat while the couple went to the hospital.

As Jon returned home seconds later, he found Patricia on the floor near the entrance to the living room, ready to give birth.

After calling the neighbor to ask for help and then 911 for assistance, Jon saw the baby's head already emerging.

``I grabbed the head and pulled and the baby came right out,'' Jon said.

With the assistance of neighbor Vicki Klohn, Jon cleaned up the newborn and placed her on Patricia's stomach.

As for Patricia, she said she is still shocked that Jon delivered the baby and that it came so quickly.

``I was really scared,'' Patricia said. ``He had left to (go to) the neighbors and it was time.''

The 911 operator directed Jon to tie off the umbilical cord. He used a shoestring from a shoe in the hall closet behind him. The 911 operator then asked him if the porch light was on and the door was open.

Jon heard the ambulance coming and ran outside, throwing his hands in the air and screaming, ``It's a girl, it's a girl.''

Paramedics, firefighters and sheriff's deputies were soon in the house checking on the baby and the mother, and found both to be in perfect condition.

The paramedics allowed Jon to cut the umbilical cord before taking mother and daughter to Antelope Valley Hospital for a checkup. Both were sent home Tuesday afternoon.

At some point during the excitement, Jon, who had been documenting the event with his digital camera, handed his camera to a Kern County sheriff's deputy to snap a photo of him holding his new baby.

``I thought nothing could top the birth of (Melissa), but it's just the most wonderful thing that has happened to me,'' Jon said.

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Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) When Callie Morgan decided to make an entrance, no one was more surprised than parents Patricia and Joe Morgan and big sister Melissa, above. At left, moments after the delivery - with dad Joe still on the phone with paramedics - mother and baby take a well-deserved rest.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer