Below is the chronological events for Emily and I as we embarked on making a family. I had to record the earlier stages in silence for obvious reasons…
4/8/24
Third time is a charm! This week I was working nights and awoke after a fitful day of sleeping. As I groggily slogged to the bathroom to get ready for the day when I spotted what I initially thought was some garbage Emily left on the counter. As I drew closer and the fog of recent wakefulness lifted I recognized it was a pregnancy test. I crept closer with my heart now beating in my chest. I saw two lines… indicating a POSITIVE test!! Overwhelming I started yelling at the top of my lungs in joy and bounded downstairs to hug a grinning Emily. We’ve had some issues in the past so we were celebrating with hopeful reserve. I’m still as excited as I was the first time. I’m going to be a dad.. terrifyingly amazing!
5/1/24:
Today we were in Mykonos, Greece. The weather was overcast and slightly cold. Knowing Emily was pregnant she had been itching to get an ultrasound. After several calls around trying to find an ultrasound we stumbled upon Dr. Kirmoutselis a local ONGYN. He told us to come immediately as he had an opening. We showed up at a nondescript pharmacy with a small office upstairs. We entered and were greeted by an elderly and slightly obese Greek physician. He was pleasant with passable English. Emily and I identified ourselves as doctors and he set straight to an abdominal ultrasound. Immediately we saw the little fetus and efficiently he found the heart beat. 
Up until that moment I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath. The realization of a baby with a heart beat hit me like a crashing wave of excitement/anxiety/joy/fear all at once. Emily reached up her little hand and I, the idiot I am, high five’d her.. Then realized she wanted to hold my hand I obliged. After a few pictures the doctor shook our hands and adamantly declined to be paid as he stated, “it’s from one doctor to another”. We thanked him profusely and invited him to visit us in Alaska. Overwhelmed, returned to our hotel to celebrate. 
6/4/24:
Today we find out the sex! I wanted to wait until birth but Emily couldn’t wait that long so we settle on finding out together after a big dinner. We’ve been dieting for 30 days and our diet ended today. I planned on making a glutinous dinner and having a baby reveal cake. I cooked all day and even attempted sourdough bread, again, without success. It was an odd weather day with sun and intermittent storms. We even have a spot of lightening. I made Emily’s favorite pesto pasta, homemade breaded chicken, and caprese salad. Emily had a cake made with super blue or pink frosting in the center for dessert. We ate anxiously amidst lit candles and Italian music plying in the background. Finally we decided to cut the cake. No videos, no pomp and circumstance, just us, and a fine dinner. I was actually too nervous to cut the cake. I handed Emily the knife and she dove in. She cut twice and lifted the slice. 
Pink! A girl! We’re having a girl!! We hugged and smile and both began our mental journey of having a daughter. I am so excited!! I can’t wait to shout this from the rooftops!!
6/9/24:
Bursting at the seems wanting to tell everyone we prepared for a friend’s wedding in Juneau. We were nearing the end of the 1st trimester and were trying desperately not to jinx ourselves. Unfortunately we were about to attend a wedding with nearly all the OB nurses in Juneau. It was a perfect overcast day and we sailed to a gorgeous spot for the wedding. I was attempting to be sneaky with ordering drinks for both Emily and I to throw off the scent. We were extremely successful, that is, up until the dinner. Laughing and chatting with our friends at our table the mischievous Leanne sauntered up and shoved a margarita in Emily’s face tempting her to drink in front of our whole table. Emily shyly refused prompting Leanne’s eyebrows to nearly shoot off her face. At the same time Bailey, one of our good friends sitting across from Emily, also became wide eyed and stared back and forth between us. I couldn’t help but have a shit eating grin. She then suddenly burst into tears signaling an immediate retreat for Leanne and calling attention from one of my ER nurses. I sat in awe as the silent and efficient communication between all women present divulged volumes while Adam, one of my ER colleagues, dumbfoundedly inquired about the situation. We then proceeded to tell a few select people who were overjoyed. My heart swelled with each friend we invited into our little secret circle.
6/14/24:
It was Cassidy’s graduation weekend and we were finally able to our families the good news in person. The nieces all screeched with excitement as our parents and siblings smiled and congratulated us. I don’t think I could be any happier now that we are out of the first trimester and on our way to becoming parents. It has been a wild ride so far… I can’t wait for the next chapters!!!
8/8
Another hard week of work and the annual flooding which devastated Juneau. We worked hard for several days cleaning the property and helping others. Emily and I turned in early for a good night sleep. Just as I began that blissful drift off into nothingness Emily shouts, “BABE”! A small amount of panic wakes me up right away. “I felt her!” After 3 weeks of her worrying that she couldn’t feel our baby moving it finally happened. I wish I could say I could feel the little soccer legs bicycling around but it was just Emily. I turned back to sleep but I could sense Emily lying next to me with her eye wide open in anticipation of further movements. So cool…
8/19
The baby bump was now in full swing. Emily was not waddling yet but glowing in that way that only the pregnant can. We finally released the announcement publicly and received an avalanche of praise and good wishes. 
Everyone was so supportive, and the advice was rolling in. I felt a little awkward as despite Emily having an hourly reminder of the pregnancy and impending child I had not felt the fatherly bug yet. Emily looked amazing and had so far, not had any significant pregnancy issues. But! I have news! Finally, I felt my baby girl kick for the first time. It was surreal. Emily teased because every time I felt the little soccer player kick I recoiled my hand due to how surprising and alien she felt. Slowly it started to sink in; holy shit! I’m going to be a dad…..
10/5
Emily was so spoiled! Two baby showers in one week. Hannah and Leanne threw a spectacular baby shower at forbidden peaks. Several friends showed up and enjoyed in our celebration. I latched on to Patrick, the only other male, and we enjoyed beers and watched with trepidation all of the children running a mock. I’m writing this after we just finished the Sammamish baby shower a week later, and I feel so loved! My mom, sister, nieces, and sister-in-law all flew in just for a few hours just to celebrate with us. The amount of baby gear was a little overwhelming. Mary Jo threw a superb party with food, spiced cider, and homemade desserts. Even Liz and Kelly came! The Eck’s house was decorated to the hilt. It was such a fun and heartwarming event with both family and friends. 
After a day filled with eating and chatting everyone parted ways and the excitement of the future girl started ramping up. We did receive some less than ideal news. Emily was found to have borderline gestational diabetes and elevated blood pressures. Though, I was not convinced. It sucked for her because she had to check her blood sugars 4 times a day and keep track of her blood pressures. Though again, her home values were all stellar. Husband goal: keep pregnant wife stress free.
11/1
We are nearing the starting line. Only about 5 weeks to go. Today we picked up hopefully the remainder of all the baby gear. (Only 950 lbs from the shipping company) the super expensive closet in the nursery is finished and we have been preparing to paint and fully ‘nest-out’ the nursery. Again, the full brunt of becoming a father hasn’t crashed yet.
11/28
It was a month full of support and love from our families.. We undertook painting the nursery which was challenging as it was carpeted and Emily wanted the trim painted as well. We spent 2 weeks working on that room. 
Finally we finished painting the spring mint with textured walls and only had a handful of stains on the carpet (the paint soaked through the canvas that was supposed to protect the floor). Next I build all the baby items including the closet organizer which came with its own set of issues. Mom stopped in and helped us beat and clean the house. She organized and cleaned our whole kitchen and made dinners for us! It was fantastic having her around. We even broke down 3 truckloads of boxes. 
After she left Emily’s parents arrived for their month visit. We wrapped up the house including the nursery. I sure hope baby girl loves that light fixture with custom molding as it was the Bain of our nesting. Finally the house was set, Christmas decor up, and parents had all arrived. Next stop, the delivery.
Dr. Amanda arrived to initiate the induction, placing cervidil and a Foley catheter. Emily was officially in labor, her glow undimmed by the mounting storm outside.
Pitocin (aptly nicknamed “pi-satan”) ratcheted up the contractions, each one more intense. We ambled up and down the hallways stopping occasionally to work through powerful contractions. Lauren instructed me on hip support techniques. 
When Emily reached her breaking point, I sprinted to find Dr. Chang, anesthesiologist extraordinaire. 
He worked a miracle, placing the epidural in one swift attempt during a single contraction, instantly bringing Emily relief. I questioned the strength of our marital bond after hearing the outpour of overwhelming compliments Dr. Chang received after removing Emily’s pain. She rested peacefully while massive contractions surged on the monitor her body in full labor mode.
Each effort was awe-inspiring, a testament to her determination and strength. Between contractions, laughter, and mini-dance parties lightened the room’s mood. I was in charge of tunes as my sole duty (and I crushed it!). After two grueling, heroic hours, Emily summoned the strength of legends to deliver the tiniest, most wondrous baby girl a fragile masterpiece of life itself. Her first soft cries were like music to our ears, filling the room with awe. I leaned in to speak, her delicate eyes fluttered open, locking onto mine with a gaze so pure it seemed to transcend time. She turned her tiny head toward me, and in that instant, the world faded away. 
It was as if she knew me already. I was utterly, irrevocably smitten, my heart captured forever by this fated meeting. 
