7 weeks in...and enjoying every minute!

Ok....so I slacked off and haven't followed up on my first post. I will be brief in describing the events that have taken place in the last seven weeks. The doctor decided to postpone inducing labor, however, my wife started having contractions the next day. Late in the evening she went it to be checked, and after several hours they decided to keep her overnight for observation. The woke us up at 6:00 in the morning with the decision to go ahead and induce based on the observation. Inducing medications started at 9:00, followed by an epidural at 9:45. The broke her water at 10:30. She then took a nap for a couple of hours before contractions started picking up strength. Around 2:00 things really started picking up, and around 2:30 the nurse did a check, and said it's go time!! Doctors and all kinds of people soon filled the room. My sister and a friend of my wife were in the room as well. It was special for me to have my sister in there for the occasion, as I'm sure it was for her as well. The hard part of labor actually went fairly quickly and smoothly. Kiya Mae Hopper made her arrival at 3:15 PM, officially weighing in at 7lbs 4.6 ozs and measuring 20 inches. I can't even begin to describe the feeling of watching my daughter being born. It's a very incredible, emotional, awesome feeling. I don't know how else to describe it. I don't think it can be put in words. That being said, just watching the miracle of a child being born is quite an experience in itself. If you don't have, or will not have children of your own, and ever have the chance to be in a room with someone that does give birth, I highly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity.
After Kiya arrived, there were some minor complications and she had to be trasfered to Childrens Hospital, since the small hospital we were in is not equipped to deal with much. We had about a two week stay there before coming home. It was a trying time on my wife and I, as well as other family. Only parents and grandparents were allowed to visit due to H1N1 precautions. My stepson did not get to see his sister until those two weeks were over. Most of our other family got to see her before she was transfered, but not able to hold her or anything of that nature. We were so thankful to get home, and for Kiya to be healthy!
Kaden was absolutely thrilled when he finally got to meet his sister! It was a great moment for us all. He has been so good with her. He loves to hold her, help feed her, and gives her plenty of kisses. He comes running whenever she cries, kissing her and whispering "it's okay sissy."
As for my thoughts on being a father for the first time, I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love every minute of it, dirty diapers and all!! Yes, I have changed a few diapers here and there, and it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I don't even notice the smell much anymore, I guess you just get used to it! My wonderful wife, Krystal, takes care of night time duties, so I am able to get decent sleep most nights. This works out great because I am fresh for work. I try to give her some extra sleep time on the weekends and nap time in the evening if needed. I am glad she is able to stay at home with Kiya. We both had stay at home moms when we were young, and wanted to be able to have our children have the same experience. Krystal does baby sit two young girls a few days a week, and a 7 year old boy in the evenings, so she is still working to some degree. I guess I shouldn't say to some degree, because the baby is a FULL time job. Makes my 9 to 5 look like a walk in the park.
Kiya is more alert and developing with each and every day. She it now "playing" a lot more, and making many new sounds. She is growing so fast! I don't really have much more to tell about as far as fatherhood exeriences at this point, as it has really just been the basic eat, sleep, and dirty diapers to this point. Although I have a feeling we will be having some new things going on in the near future. We are working on making sounds and smiling for daddy....so stay tuned for more!! Also, pictures will be coming soon.