My First Day as a Father

Today was my first day as a parent. You'll have to forgive me if the following post is the most emotional one I've ever posted...I've only had 2 hours of sleep in the past 40 hours. When God brought Kaylane into my life, my world went from black and white to color. I don't even know the analogy to use now that He has put Ella into our lives.

Labor was difficult for Kaylane...and difficult for me to watch. Hospitals provide drugs to the mother which hopefully dull any long lasting memories. No drugs for the father. No numbing. I sat helpless only to pray and beg God to hold safe the two dearest things in my life. Thank you, God, for doing just that. Delivery. I won't lie and make you think that I thought delivery to be beautiful...the idea of it is, the aesthetics of it isn't. It was scientifically interesting for me to watch what was happening, but I was surprisingly analytical about the whole thing. I think I was just scared for Mommy and Baby. However, after almost 20 hours of labor and much pain, the most incredible woman I've ever met delivered the most amazing thing that we've ever held.

And so began my first moments as a father. I held onto my wife's precious hand not wanting to leave her until she was safe but watching my newborn child only feet away. Kaylane looked at me and smiled and told me to go to her. The next moment I was touching earth's newest angel...and those were my first five minutes as a father.

Tonight, I sat holding my daughter only inches from my face; the nurse said this was a good bonding exercise. I figured it was worth a shot. She had mostly slept the previous 18 hours of her life but for some reason had opened her eyes as I was holding her and talking to her. She looked into my eyes. To say the least, the nurse was right. Kaylane was talking (and hadn't looked over yet) and asked, "Don't you just love her!" At that point she looked over and saw tears streaming down my face. We laughed as she said, "I guess so".

I can't wait for day number 2 as a father.

So, here's the real thing that you are after: Stats and Pictures. Stats: 7 lbs and 4 oz. 19.5 inches long. Born at 3:14am on 5/6/07. Pictures: There are a lot. I'm new to this and couldn't figure out how to choose which pictures to share.

And so I present, my daughter...Ella Rae Crandall. (Click on the picture for a larger version.)

Only minutes old

Daddy loves Mommy

This is the same outfit that Daddy came home from the hospital in when he was a baby

Black and white is just plain cute

Tongue

Pout

Hands

Ella's very first kiss

Many kisses later

Posing already for the camera