A New Fathers Tribute To His Darling Daughter

I will always remember that day I received the call, "honey we are Pregnant!"  A few gallons of smelling salts and cold buckets of water later I was whisked back into consciousness.  Pregnant, no way not this guy.  After all I never thought I had what it took to create another human being.  I was one of those people who over the years of doing whatever I wanted when I wanted, never fathomed having to take on the unimaginable role called fatherhood!

Looking back on that day I have to chuckle at the raging stream of thoughts and emotions that passed through my cranium.  Oh no, there goes my freestyle way of life, how can I possibly nurture and raise another human being or even simply change a diaper....are you nuts?  Then  the little man on my "bad" shoulder told me I could always change my blood type and social security number, and quietly leave at midnight for a long trip to somewhere deep in the southern hemisphere.

Well I manned up and at 43 years of age knew deep in my heart that the good Lord had sent me a message, Jeff you are now going to do something quite a bit more responsible and rewarding than anything you have ever done to this point in your life.  Well the ensuing nine months literally flew by and last August 2009 we were blessed with a beautiful, healthy little angel named Sophia.

Now I was told by many parents that until you gaze into your newborns eyes you just wont know that loving feeling.  It turns out they were right.  Once I cut the cord and looked into her sweet little innocent eyes, daddy was hopelessly in love!  Going through the birthing experience is a complete rush, the tide of emotions and at times near panic are indescribable.  Once little Sophia was in my arms it all melted away and a peaceful calm overtook and wiped clean any stressful or negative thoughts.

Of course I once again was bombarded by the negatives, the hospital staff was wonderful but they hit us with so much information about properly raising little Sophia that I felt hopelessly overwhelmed!  I remember thinking I cannot possibly remember everything each Doctor or Nurse told us once we bring this precious cargo home.  How am I going succeed as a parent was my overriding concern.  Well three days later little Sophia was introduced to her new family and she looked at her daddy as to say, don't worry I am going to be just fine.

All that was over eight months ago.  Our little princess is a thriving, growing, babbling bundle of joy!  The time has gone by so fast its hard to remember little Sophia as a wee toddler.  She is outgrowing her onesies every couple months and seems to learn new "tricks" every day.  As I reflect on the past eight months I have to admit that even though there is no road map for raising a baby, ones parental instincts do kick in.  Even though I know that there will be plenty of challenges ahead, every time my little darling looks at me and gives daddy one of her patented smiles it makes life worth living!

Princess Sophia