Emma

 It's a day I won't ever forget...August 6th, 2020. My daughter Emma Rae was born right around 2:09pm and like I said I'll never forget it. This time around it was so much different. This for those who don't know, is my second child, my first was our son Parker and we were to be surprised at his birth as we didn't know the gender, but this time around we found out that we were having a girl. 

In this messed up world we live in, I didn't think I could find so much joy but let me tell you I have. When she was born, I was completely and utterly overcome with emotion and I cried, and I cried hard. Tears of joy, relief and just a sigh of relief that this was all over and that our baby girl had entered this world. I've been seeing the term 'Girl Dad' trending for a while now and I thought it was kind of silly but becoming a father to this sweet and perfect little girl has changed me in ways that my son didn't and I didn't think were possible. 

The emotion that I was overcome with was literally out of no where. Seeing her face, hearing her cry & holding her for the first time, man it almost still gets me right now as I type this. Being pregnant during this Covid era in our lives was scary enough, and if I don't say it enough, to my wife, the way you handled yourself during this pregnancy, I will always be eternally grateful and I love you more then you could ever know. You are beyond brave, strong & an amazing mother of 2! 

As I type this now, my sweet pea, that's the nickname I've adapted for her, lies on my stomach after taking down a bottle and as I listen to her little snores/heavy breathing, the craziness I put myself through & my wife was so worth it. Becoming a girl dad has been an absolute blessing and I couldn't have asked for anything more. Already, there isn't anything I wouldn't do to keep my baby girl safe. She is my world and I her protector. 

The day of her birth was pretty standard/typical and I have to give a huge glowing shoutout to the nurse team we had at the hospital as they were terrific. They made sure everything went smoothly as it could and always kept my wife and babies safety at the forefront. Words still can't express the emotion and love I have for her...from her little looks she shoots me, to the way her head turns as I talk to her & how she gives me those post bottle smirks it's a feeling of joy that I honestly haven't felt in a long time. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my son more then anything as well, but with the negativity presented in this world on a day to day basis, this was the beacon of hope & joy that I desperately needed. Watching my son become a big brother and meeting her for the first time was another joy that I won't soon forget and he has taken to becoming a big brother, at least most of the time....he does have his moments still. 

I've been gone from the blog for a while but as my sleep has returned a little bit, so has my desire to start writing again and not wanting to go to sleep by like 9pm. I hope you guys are all staying safe & I hope to hear from you all soon.