FOR Evan and Kat Ritchie, this year’s Christmas is the best they have ever had.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The married couple were expecting their first child on December 29 but what came next was nothing short of a Christmas miracle.
Kat, a general practitioner, began to feel contractions on Christmas Eve.
It wasn’t much longer when she decided it was time to go into Bendigo St John of God hospital, in the early hours of the morning.
Her water broke about 10.30am before her Christmas bundle of joy was born at 12.28pm.
Baby Marceline Ritchie was welcomed into the world.
New parents Evan and Kat say it was the best Christmas present they could have asked for.
Evan said he was excited to be a first-time father.
“She is just beautiful,” he said.
"We actually didn't know if we were going to have a boy or a girl," Kat said.
"We are just so happy."
Kat said their families would be visiting them over the next couple of days.
“My family is flying in from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday,” she said.
Evan said the pair celebrated Christmas last weekend.
“We exchanged gifts with everyone last week, we thought we would set aside this time just for us.”
Kat wanted to thank the nurses and midwife at St John of God for their help.
Two babies were also born at Bendigo Health.
Little Abby-Jayde Grace Jenkins was born at 12.03pm, daughter of Madison Welsh and Jamie-Craig Jenkins.
Aaron Ballard was born at 1.58pm, son of Felicia and Dorian.
kristen.alebakis@fairfaxmedia.com.au
