21/03/2024
My phone rang at 3:55am on the morning of Saturday, February 10th.
It was my girlfriend, Claudia. She was in the birthing ward of the local hospital.
I rushed to the hospital. It was dark and slightly eerie. The hospital corridors were empty with a handful of empty beds lined up against the wall. I was scared.
The midwife appeared out of nowhere and directed me to a waiting area. My anxiety was going through the roof.
I was soon escorted into the operating theatre. It was full of doctors, nurses and other medical staff ready to get to work. The tension was unmistakeable. I was worried for the health of our baby, and for Claudia.
My mind was playing out various scenarios. I was terrified that the beautiful creature we had nurtured for the past nine months wouldn’t survive the traumatic transition into this world.
Those thoughts were soon interrupted as smiles began to break across the faces in the room. The tension lifted slightly. I still felt nervous.
It felt like an age before I heard the murmur of a baby. And then, we were presented with a tiny, but perfect work of art.
The entire world seemed to stop for a few moments. There were too many emotions to process… happiness, relief, worry, and pure joy.
Our beautiful daughter – Maya Rose – was born at 5:13am on 10/02/24. She was born on the lunar New Year, during the year of the dragon. She weighed 3265 grams, and measured 52cm. She is perfect in every way imaginable.
Life has been crazy, magical and overwhelming these past few weeks. It’s difficult to find a moment to reflect and process our new reality.
Any new parent can no doubt relate to the uncertainty I experience for my ability to care for and nature this beautiful life. I hear it’s normal.
The best parenting advice I have received… ‘You can’t get it right.’
I’ve attached a few pics as a proud father.
I’ve also a written a heartfelt letter to my daughter about the father I aspire to be. Hopefully she can read it one day.
Hopefully I am courageous enough to live up to my words.