It’s not just a job, it’s a dooty.

Yesterday I became a father for the first time.

God what a wonderful feeling.

I was present for the birth, as was another friend of ours from the church. Cheryl was in labor for roughly two to three hours. Once she started pushing, she only had to push for a few minutes.

Once she was done, we had the single most beautiful baby girl you’ve ever seen in your life.

Emma Grace Adams.

Emma is a derivative of Emily, one of Cheryl’s grandmothers. Grace is after her other grandmother. I found out from my Aunt Sandy (my mother’s sister) that Emma was also the name of my Great-Great Grandmother, Emma Imes.

She has a bundle of brown hair that tousels easily and slightly curls. Her large eyes are beautiful to look into. She has the cutest little lips and (dare I say it?) a button nose.

Dad’s favorite description of her is “Boy, she idn’t any bigger than a minute.” (Please pardon the southern Ohio slang.)

She smiled for the first time tonight when Cheryl was holding her. Cheryl was saying to her playfully “Where’s Emma?” over and over again. She smiled and being the old softy that I am, I immediately burst into tears.

We get to bring her home tomorrow. I need to be at the hospital at 8AM to be ready for the discharge.

I can’t wait to bring her home.