I received a call from Christi around noon that she needed to go to the doctor. I dropped what I was doing, and still dressed in my uniform, I drove Christi to the doctor's office.
The pregnancy had not been an easy one. We had a few scares, and Christi began to bleed when she was only 16 weeks pregnant. But, a month till the due date remained and she seemed to be healthy.
Around 7:30 that evening, Katie, who ever has her own mind and does things in her own way and timing, was born, 4 weeks early.
I remember as they cleaned her off, I couldn't take my eyes from her. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Then the nurse handed her to me, and my heart melted. I held her close and as the nurses awwwwed at the new daddy and his little girl I whispered to her, "You need to get a job." I was always one to have to ruin a moment. Then I kissed her. It would be the first of many.
As she grew we learned many things. She was hard-headed like her daddy. She had a sense of wonder at everything around her. She studied things. She loved everyone and everything around her effortlessly. She was special.
I remember swaddling her and laying on the couch. I remember teaching her to blow on dandelions in the backyard. I remember, putting her on swings at the park, and teaching her to swim. I remember her cuddling against her daddy and giving her kisses and tickles. I remember teaching her to pray, the questions she asks on the way to church, and the "Big Huggies" she made me give her when I put her to bed.
She is growing up so fast, it seems like time just slips away. But six years later, I find that one thing is constant. I still can't take my eyes off her, and the kisses never run out for her. She's still my precious baby girl.
I know this is late in coming, but happy birthday Katie. Daddy loves you.
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