Two Days as a New Dad in the Hospital

Flashing back a bit, after Courtney's doctor's appointment on Monday, everything was looking good and she was scheduled for another appontment on Thursday. When she asked how long he would let her go, her doctor responded that if she wanted to be induced, he would schedule it, but there was no need for it right now.

She and I talk about it and decide that we'll let it ride a few more days, but if she lasts, we'd like to be induced on Thursday. So Courtney calls the doctor's office and makes that request and they tell her that they will call right back. They do and they had scheduled to have her induced the next day!

I got that news at about 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon and I think I got more work done in those last 3 hours of the day than I had in the last week! Now we knew what was going to happen. There was no need to worry about it anymore. I knew all that I needed to do!

Bright and early the next morning we head over for our appointment with parenthood. Our bags are packed and we have everything that we need...and we needed none of it! We were as prepared as we could be, but there was nothing that we could have done to prepare for what was going to happen over the next 13 hours, no classes, books, advice or anything.

They began inducing Courtney at about 8 a.m., Julia was born at 7:11 p.m., but by the time things settled down, it was about a 13 hour day. It was difficult, it was draining, it was an emotional rollercoaster...and that was my perspective. I can only imagine what Courtney was going through.

Now I'm not a real emotional guy, but on this day, I couldn't help myself. I was good while the room was buzzing with nurses and doctors, holding back as hard as I could. Suddenly there came an opportunity. The room was clean and everyone left for a moment. Courtney was lying there holding Julia and I took one look at them and totally lost it. I couldn't even speak. I was just overwhelmed with pride and joy. After seeing first hand what my girls had gone through, I was so incredibly proud of both of them!

So I gather myself up and go to get Grandmom and Pop Jones (pictured above) from the waiting room, red eyed and all. This was another really cool moment as a new dad. To be able to see their faces (especially Pop who has a soft spot for all his girls) light up as they learned that we had added another player to the Jones' girls softball team was really special.

I had another cool moment the next day. Courtney had some minor issues from the birth that needed a little surgery to correct, so I had about 2 hours alone with Julia. I'll be honest, I was nervous. I've always shyed away from the little ones. They look so fragile and I can be pretty clumsy, but I had no choice here.

Julia fussed a bit, but not much. We walked and talked and swayed and danced and talkedsome more. I laid out the groundrules for the next couple decades. You know, the important stuff like when Momma tells you no, come to me with a quivering lip or batting your beautiful eyes and I'll probably say yes. Or anytime that you need money for anything, my wallet will always be open. And we had a really long talk about boys...alright well I did most of the talking, but I think it sunk in with her that boys are nothing but trouble.

Momma came back after surgery and Julia had completed her orientation with flying colors I might add (she's much smarter than her Daddy!). Courtney is really recovering quickly. I know that today she's still a little sore, but her recovery in the last two days has been unbelievable. But I suppose that I should have expected nothing less from the most amazng woman I've ever met!

-Andy