Overseas father meets baby via Internet

BLANCHARD, Okla. -- A Blanchard Marine is experiencing the miracle of his daughter's birth all the way from Iraq.

Thanks to the help of technology Marine Sergeant Michael Lauderback gets to be at the side of his wife Jessica and their one-day-old baby.

Tiny fingers, tiny toes, little Taylor is just one-day-old and about to meet her daddy for the very first time. Waiting patiently, her mother, Jessica, rocked her while the internet connection was set up at St. Anthony's Hospital. It was a bittersweet day for Mom who's desperately missing her husband stationed in Iraq, but so very happy because of the birth of their baby.

"Oh my goodness, she is beautiful," Sgt. Launderback said after seeing Taylor for the first time.

Lauderback wasn't able to share in the birth of his daughter, but is thankful to be connected in some way.

"I'm sure ready to come home," Launderback said.

Lauderback will be coming home on his birthday, when he'll finally be able to hold his precious little baby.

The technology used to link Sgt. Lauderback with his wife and baby was provided by Freedom Calls Foundation and St. Anthony Hospital. Freedom Calls Foundation is a non-profit group that provides free services to military families.