Baby Rothfuss Has Arrived

She came in during a thunderstorm, and a rainbow shone when she arrived.

As the seasons switched between Cancer and Leo, Baby Rothfuss made her presence known to the world.

As a new father, I had so many emotions running through me that tears began to fill my eyes. I did not know what to expect while watching my wife go through labor. I had heard of fathers fainting. I had heard of fathers refusing to watch. And even though I look away from any hospital scene involving blood or needles, I did not take my eyes away from the miracle of Baby Rothfuss being born.

It has been over a week since those 31 long hours in the labor room, yet those memories will stay with me forever. From arriving at the hospital and going on an all-coffee diet, to the unexpected thunderstorm that caused flooding alerts and the rainbow that appeared after Baby Rothfuss was born, each hour will be ingrained in my memory.

Then she was there. A person we had discussed, imagined, and knew was there, but who at the same time was not yet here, was finally in front of us. She was glorious. She was magnificent. She had my heart, and she will forever have my heart.

Baby Rothfuss had long black hair, giant gray-green eyes, and a tiny beauty spot on the right side of her chin. She had a small, wide nose and long, skinny fingers. With those fingers, I think she may take after her grandma and become a doctor. Like me, her second toe was longer than her big toe, though it will probably be a while before we know whether she is a lefty.

The days we spent at the hospital were filled with joy. We took full advantage of our stay and remained for the maximum number of days allowed by our insurance. She stayed with us in the room, and we barely slept because we could not take our eyes off her for even a second.

I also had the honor of changing her first diaper. I was surprised by how easy it was. I know changing a diaper is not rocket science, but as a germophobe, I found changing her diaper much less germy than I had imagined.

We were finally able to bring Baby Rothfuss home over the weekend. While she arrived during a thunderstorm, the weather had since changed to blistering heat. The thunderstorm was uncommon. The dry heat in this region is not. Almost every day since she was born, the temperature has reached between 38 and 43 degrees Celsius.

I have never felt so much anxiety. Each time I look at her, I wonder how I am going to protect her from all the horrible things in the world.

However, there is also so much to look forward to. I am getting to spend amazing time with her. Each day, I try to document what is new. Is her hair getting longer, or is her head getting bigger? Has she started to become a little chubby, as I did as a baby? What new outfit would look best on her today?

All of these questions keep me busy as I stare into her beautiful gray-green eyes.