We went to the hospital for a check-up after work. Leanne was a bit nervous.

After the check up, they said you have the evening but come back within a couple hours for induction. It’s time for this baby to come out!

I tried to be cool and collected but I was freaking out. I thought we had more time! At least a week more! But the baby couldn’t wait. We quickly ate, packed our bags into the car, made sure the car-seat was installed and ready to go, and headed to the hospital.

Labor didn’t take nearly as long as we thought. Leanne was such a trooper through the whole thing and was tougher than I could ever imagine. After only 20 hours of labor, baby was born!

We knew almost right away when we saw him that his name was Forrest. Now time for his birth story! While Leanne was having contractions and pushing, we had a playlist ready to go with such hits as “I Want To Break Free” by Queen, “Push It” by Salt-N-Peppa, “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross, and “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani. We were all dancing to the music between pushes, even the midwife and her nurses! Baby Forrest was born to “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga.

I was on the right side of Leanne, a nurse was on the left, and the midwife was directly in front of Leanne being the only one fully gowned. When the baby came out, guess who got completely sprayed! Like a targeted missile, baby Forrest aimed everything directly at his dad! Leanne gave a giggle. The midwife’s gown remained completely spotless.

Forrest’s Dadimaa came all the way from Florida to Japan and made it just in time!

When Forrest was born, I couldn’t help but have a tear in my eyes when I first saw him. We made him, and he is so precious. I love him already. Leanne did skin to skin and breastfeeding during the golden hour and I did skin to skin too. I think it really helped with bonding. He has a full head of hair just like dad!

Every sound he makes is so beautiful and I love him so much. I can’t wait to get to know him. I can’t believe I’m his dad.