Father's Day?

It feels very fulfilling, being on the other side on Father's Day. Each year, I would always think of my Father on Father's Day; What to do, what to get him, etc., which I still do. But today was a milestone in my life which felt different than others, such as a birthday or anniversary. Today, it was not about me being a Father, it was about my family, especially my new daughter, CJ.

Today, I was feeling good on many different levels. Achievements were made individually and as a family.

The past 10 days, CJ was hooked up with a tube in her nose to help her eat when she couldn't take all the milk from bottle feeding. Earlier in the morning, my wife was successful feeding a full 35+ccs. I was happy because we both worried about not being able to feed her well when we take her home as we became so comfortable with the wonderful nurses at Mills Peninsula.

In the afternoon, it was decided that the tube would be out today. She would have to fight and work at every bottle feeding or else they would stick the tube back down her nose. I could not feel anything but support and encouragement because I wanted CJ to have the confidence to finish all of her milk at each feeding.

After pulling out the tube and before feeding CJ, my wife washed CJ's body and I washed her hair. It was just as soothing to me as it was to her and she just looked at me as I scrubbed/massaged her head and after her bath I was able to feed 48ccs in one sitting. Man, she was going at it really good.

Later in the night, she took another 50ccs but this time it was a bit of a challenge because she needed a diaper change midway. After trying to pee on Mom during the diaper change, she finished the rest of her milk.

My wife and I walked out of the nursery and I had to give high fives to her. What a feeling of accomplishment as parents. I know it's just the beginning but I'm just looking at baby steps.