How was it when you became father for the first time?
Hard to explain. It was like some parts of me were finally called into service. Like there was a new purpose for so much of what we do in a day. Like @cookie it seemed there were so many stories to tell her and I just wanted her to know them all. It was by far the biggest change in my life to this point.
We also spent most of the first week in the NICU, so I was constantly bouncing back and forth between my wife and my daughter, I didn’t sleep much but didn’t feel tired, just calm and purposeful.
@Patty_Melt – I think the closest word I can think of is companionship for how I felt with my wife right after. I was thrilled for her, she had been through a lot and I knew she was so happy to be there. There was a bit of acknowledging she’d done her part (high five!) and I’d take the next part so she could rest. I don’t know anyone that’s felt jealousy right after, it doesn’t seem like a fun time.
@jca – no jealousy toward the baby either. There was definitely some differences in our expectations of life together after kids and things we just didn’t anticipate, but it was never about focus on me vs. focus on my daughter. She was #1 for both of us, we just had to rethink everything further down the list, and that took time and discussion.