At 7:18 PM on September 30^th 2015, Mr. Baker welcomed a new member to his family, Monroe Baker. We met with Mr. Baker and asked him a few questions about his baby and new life.

C & C: What size was your baby when he was born?

 Mr. B: At birth, he was 8 pounds 2 ounces and 21 inches long, but now (Monroe is a little more than 2 months old) he weighs 14 pounds.

C & C: Why did you name him Monroe?

Mr. B: James Monroe was the 5th president and the period he was president during was named “The Era of Good Feelings,” and that is how Monroe makes me feel.

C & C: What is the biggest change in your life now that you are a father?

 Mr. B: I now have something to look forward to when I go home, because he makes me so happy. You can’t even imagine it.

 C & C: What is the first thing you said to your baby?

 Mr. B: Immediately after Monroe was born, he had to be taken into NICU because the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. There, he was crying a lot so I said, “Hey buddy, its your daddy,” and he immediately stopped crying and looked at me. It was the happiest moment of my life because he recognized my voice—probably because I talked to him while Jen was pregnant. I would always tell him what sports teams he would like and how he will play basketball when he grows up.

C & C: Is it hard balancing work and your baby?

Mr. B: Yes. Sometimes I leave in the morning when he is asleep and then come home when he is also asleep. However, it is nice because Marymount let me have paternity leave and be with Monroe, and I can leave during my free periods to see him.

C & C: Do you want more children, and if so, do you want a boy or girl?

Mr. B: Yes, I want one girl.

C & C: Do you want him to play basketball or become president?

Mr. B: Yes, I want him to play basketball. He is already the mascot for the sailor basketball team and he has tons of anchor clothes. Jen wants him to go into dance, because she loves dancing. Ultimately, we decided that we would let him figure it out.

C & C: What was your baby’s first adventure outside the home?

Mr. B: We went to breakfast and brought him. He slept through the whole thing. It was awesome.

C & C: What did he dress up as for at Halloween?

Mr. B: He dressed up as a rocket ship, and when we went out around the neighborhood he was my assistant coach and we both wore matching athletic clothing.

C & C: What is he like?

Mr. B: He is very happy, never cries, and sleeps very well. Last night he slept from 6:40 pm to 4 am, which is unheard of. I am luckily not sleep deprived. When he does wake up at night, I put him in the miracle blanket, which is like a straight jacket; then I take him out of it, change his diaper, and then Jen feeds him. Overall, I am extremely happy.