Baby born in North Texas during eclipse overshadows historic event

By Irving Mejia-Hilario
https://www.dallasnews.com

By Irving Mejia-Hilario
https://www.dallasnews.com

Editor’s note: This story is part of The Dallas Morning News’ coverage of the 2024 total solar eclipse. It was originally published on April 8, 2024, but updated on April 9 with quotes from the mother. For more, visit dallasnews.com/eclipse.

There aren’t many things that can steal the spotlight from a historic event like the total solar eclipse. But leave it to Texans to somehow find a way.

Alicia Alvarez brought her second child into the world Monday when she rushed to the hospital to deliver Sol Celeste Alvarez at 1:04 p.m., mere minutes before the moon fully closed on the sun.

En español: Bebé nace en el Norte de Texas en pleno eclipse total de sol

“She came in with her eyes open and she knew that it was time to come out,” Alvarez said. “I didn’t realize it would happen so close to the eclipse. We already had our glasses and prepared to watch it somewhere else, but we were ready.”

Alvarez was due to deliver the baby on April 17 but Sol had different plans. The Fort Worth family had to fight through traffic that had built up because of astro-tourists hoping to get a glimpse of the eclipse.

Eventually, a sigh of relief washed over Alicia and her husband, Carlos, when they finally made it to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. Sol was born weighing in at 6 pounds, 7 ounces.

Sol will also forever be tied to the total solar eclipse beyond her time of birth. Her name stands for ‘Sun’ in Spanish. It’s also not the first time the family has used Spanish for their children. Sol’s 4-year-old sister is named Luna, which is Spanish for ‘Moon.’

“We heard people screaming and they were looking outside. I was able to see it out the window,” Alvarez said. “We wanted to trace their names back to their Hispanic roots because their dad is Black and Hispanic and names that would be close to each other. I’m just so happy; she’s a miracle.”

This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.