The Birth

It was the closest I've ever been to looking God straight in the eyes. When little Sierra came into this world, I was overcome with an emotion never felt before. To see this wonderful little person, so innocent, so pure, start her life right before my eyes was like looking out over the Grand Canyon for the first time: simply breathtaking.

The greatest 10 seconds of my life were the first 10 seconds Sierra spent in this world. She came out so aware and so anxious to be alive. When she was placed on Chrissy's chest immediately after birth, I was so proud. I was proud of my wife for what she just accomplished. I was proud of my daughter for fighting her way into this world, eyes constantly searching her surroundings. I had my girls right there with me and I have never been happier.

My wife and I went to the hospital on Thursday night (February 1) after a long walk with Chrissy's parents. She was having contractions regularly and they were getting stronger. I remember hoping that this wasn't a false alarm (we had already had one about a week earlier). We got the hospital, they did all the tests, and when they told us we'd be admitted, I was so excited. This was it. Making the phone call to my parents back in Ohio to tell them their granddaughter was going to arrive soon was one of the best calls I've made.

The night started slowly and shortly after midnight, the pain was getting pretty difficult for Chrissy to take. It was extremely hard for me to watch her go through this, but at the same time, I've never been so proud of anyone before.

I had to leave the room while Chrissy was given an epidural. She was feeling better when I came back into the room, but it tough to see her lying in that bed with an oxygen mask and tubes attached all over her. This certainly wasn't enjoyable, but we kept praying and focusing on the joy that was imminent. Chrissy soon fell asleep for the night while I watched the seconds on the clock tick away. Adrenaline and anxiety kept me company while she slept.

The doctor arrived around 8 a.m., coaching us through the last details. It was showtime whether we were ready for it or not. Chrissy's parents were in the lobby of the hospital awaiting the news. At 8:35, we started the pushing process. I counted off the seconds and instructed Chrissy when to push. I never thought counting to 10 could be so difficult. I think I messed up a few times, especially when I saw the crown of my daughter's little head for the first time. "She's beautiful," I told Chrissy. "She's coming!"

At exactly 9 a.m. on February 2, little Sierra entered the world weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 19 inches long. She was the most incredible little girl I've ever seen. I remember grandpa Niehaus saying, "she has so many faces." This girl smiled, she frowned, she raised her eyebrows. She was looking all over the place. She was such an aware little child, and she was mine. Wow. I was a father. I had a daughter. I was all grown up.

And so it begins ...

Three years ago, I was a single sports editor at a northern Ohio newspaper. Now, I am married (just celebrated my second wedding anniversary), I have a young daughter, and I am a teacher in California. To say that things change certainly would be an understatement.

My wife Christine and I have now lived in Signal Hill, California, for the last two years. She has a year remaining on her medical residency and I just finished my Single Subject Credential program at California State University, Long Beach. I have taught the last two years at an inner-city middle school.

After my daughter, Sierra, was born on February 2, my wife and I realized the importance of having family around our daughter. The problem was that both of our families live 2,000 miles away back in Ohio. However, we are very blessed. We had family members taking care of little Sierra during the day from February until now. I just finished the school year, so I am Mr. Mom during the rest of the summer.

Correction, I will be Mr. Mom for the next 15 months. My wife and I talked and agreed that I should stay home with Sierra for the next year while Christine finishes her medical residency. It will be a new experience for me and quite an opportunity. We will be moving back to the Cincinnati, Ohio, area in the summer of 2008. The plan is that I will resume my teaching career when we return.

But until then, I will be teaching my little girl (and learning too!). This is a new experience for me. I'm sure I will run into issues I never thought of. I'm sure I will never, NEVER, get used to changing dirty diapers. I'm sure I will always be knocked off my feet whenever little Sierra smiles at me. And I'm quite sure this will be the most extraordinary experience of my life.

Sierra will be five months old on July 2. My goal of this blog is to chronicle this learning experience. I will share the tough spots as well as the wonderful moments; the funny with the sad. I don't know how often I'll be able to update the blog (whenever Sierra gives me the time to do so), but I will try to do it often. This girl is absolutely amazing and I am looking forward to this gift of a year with my little girl.

And so it begins ...