There's no pillow quite so soft as a father's strong shoulder.Wow. I've been a father for three weeks, and I'm just now getting time to write something about it. It's been an exhausting time, but rewarding beyond explanation.
--Richard L. Evans
I suppose I should get the preliminaries out of the way first:
Camille Grace Saunders, Born June 5, 2005, 8 pounds 2 ounces, 22.5 inches long.
There's just something different about being a father. It's not something that I think I can put into words. It is an exciting thing, yet scary at the same time, to find yourself entirely responsible for the health, well-being, happiness, and upbringing of a brand-new human being. I still secretly wonder if I have the knowledge to be a good father. I really hope that I do. I really just want to live up to the example that my dad set when I was growing up.
I must say that Camille has been an extremely good baby. She sleeps well, she eats well, and she cries only when she's hungry or needs her diaper changed.
The thing I'm happiest about is that she's an extremely cute baby. I know it's not something that I should worry about, but I really did worry about having an ugly baby. There's nothing worse than parents with ugly babies. They're justly proud of their progeny, but it's hard to be complimentary to a parent whose kid is a halloween mask with legs.
I've gotten more sleep than I expected, and I am happy about that. It helps that Leila's breastfeeding Camille. I don't have to get up for the feedings, since I'm not equipped for it.
Finally, I'm experiencing a love that I never knew existed. I love Leila with all my heart, but the love for a child is different than the love for a spouse. I guess that I have experienced a love of such intensity in my love for Leila, but there's something slightly different when you love your child. Knowing that you're responsible for her changes matters, and makes you want to be the best person you can be.
Lord knows, I am trying to be the best dad ever. I sure hope I succeed.
