Summer Rose's Deployment Dad

Well, I am officially a deployment dad. Yup. I did it, I became a daddy! Ok, ok, let me explain.

One of my besties, and my "first wife" Tamara is married to Jonathan's MC bestie/brother, Brad. So Brad has become my big brudder (I know I've talked about him before) and therefore Tamara is my sis. We are so close we're definitely like family. I love this family like my own and am thankful that I have them in my life. Annnyyywho, my big brudder is currently deployed and Tamara was pregnant. Being my friend, I had always said I would help Tamara through her pregnancy and I promised Brad I'd take good care of her. Last weekend, she was almost 35 weeks along, her due date was August 17. I thought for sure I'd be safe, that there would be no baby being born that weekend, and headed home to spend my last weekend of summer break with my mama and fam and for my friend's birthday party. I headed home on Friday and Saturday afternoon Tamara calls me -- HER WATER HAD BROKE. She talked to the hospital and by the amount of fluid she was leaking, they told her to come in, they admitted her, and the baby-having process began. She hadn't progressed much in the labor department, so they had her hooked up to pitocin and eventually an epidural. This is all while I am in Maryland. I was super stressed because I was afraid I wouldn't make it. I ended up going to my friend's birthday party Saturday night, not making the last flight to NC and not sure if I'd make it for the birth, but when there was still not a baby by 1:30am when I got home, I booked a plane ticket back to NC, praying that I'd beat the delivery time. It was really last minute planning, I went to bed around 3 and got up at 430 for my 7am flight. Thank God I am a pro at sleeping on airplanes. Mom kept Ariana with her so I could spend time with Tamara at the hospital and said she'd bring her down in a few days. I headed straight from the airport to the hospital, without my luggage (it had caught the next flight lol) and saw my friend. I almost cried when I saw her in the hospital bed, pregnant belly still there. I was so glad to be with her, to fulfill my promises, to see my friend, and relieved that I had made it. She seemed grateful that I was there as well. That night we hung out and talked about how long she had been in labor and what she'd been doing to occupy the time. She filled me in on all the details and how good our friends Tina and Amanda had been taking care of her. Tina and I began suffering from delirium and dancing around the birthing suite. I showed the nurses the bee-shaped bruise on my left buttocks to get giggles out of Tamara. Zach was a stand up comedian. Around 1230am, Tamara was ready to try to get some sleep. Zach headed home and I laid down on the couch/bed apparatus they have for dads. They checked her a couple of times and at 5am, it was go time! I've never woken up so easily, Tamara whispered Rachel, it's go time, and I was up and at the ready. Summer Rose was born at 515am on Monday morning, weighing in at 6lbs 2oz, 18in long. Tamara was such a champ and even said YEAH BABY as Summer made her appearance. We also high fived (we're classy like that) when the nurse gave us the definite baby time sign. I got to cut the cord, which was so very, very awesome. And the nurses then dubbed me deployment dad. Brad got to call and talk to Tamara which made her so happy. I was just so thrilled I could be there for my extended family. They mean the world to me and being able to support my girl through this was amazing. I don't know what I would have done without her when Jonny died and I'm glad I can be there for her when she needs me.

I haven't been up to the hospital as much lately because it's been a mad house. I started back at school, had a couple doctors appointments, got Brad's mom from the airport, my mom came down with Ari and then Jonny's mom came to visit. It's been a busy week but pretty amazing. I just left the hospital and both mom and baby are doing well. Summer is eating a good amount and hopefully they will be home soon. I just want them to know how much I love them and how important they are to me. Hurry home Brad, we miss you!!