First time dad – FEB.26.09
It’s something that you hear about but until it happens to you, it really doesn’t sink in and now it definitely does, especially when I hear him through the night. Braden Walker Hordichuk was born February 22 at 6:22am. He was a few weeks early so I’m sure he would’ve been bigger but he was 6lbs 2oz and healthy and that’s all we could want.
The team was in Ottawa when I found out that I needed to go home, so I had to fly out that day after I received the call. It just happened so fast and unexpectedly because my wife was expecting on March 8th so when it happened a few weeks early, it’s definitely a little shocking.
I was in the room the whole time with her mom and sister and it was definitely an experience. At times you feel helpless while your wife is there giving labour and I couldn’t really do much to help her out but I think I did my share, my hand is sore from massaging her so much. She was there about 12 hours and she handled it very well.
Everyday there is something new with him and it’s been so great so far. Lisa came home a day early from the hospital yesterday so she’s good – just recovering. Her mom and dad are in town right now and my parents are coming in a couple of weeks so that will help alleviate some of the work and we can spread out the shifts.
We all have our shifts but I kind of sneak out of mine and play the hockey card and get out of it a little bit but as soon as I get home, it’s my turn again and I don’t mind at all.
We had a few names in the mix but I think with the last name Hordichuk, it’s not that easy to come up with a name that goes with Hordichuk. We just kind of talked about it and my wife liked that name but in the end we decided that he looked like a Braden.
I’ve been getting advice from the guys and my parents – everyone – for a while but I wasn’t expecting him at this time so I might need to brush up on some things. The guys were always telling me to enjoy my sleep before but I’m looking at about five hours a night which isn’t too bad but I think the naps will come in handy in the afternoon.
As far as parenting goes, I’ll be asking my parents a lot. I think a lot of it is something that you learn as you go what to do and how to do things so it’s been great so far. I think I’ve held one baby in my life and now I’m holding this guy all the time, trying to learn and trying to be a father.
He didn’t have clenched fists when he came out but we’re going to make him a lefty so we’ll tie his right hand behind him and see if we can get him to throw lefts right off the bat – that seems to surprise guys quite a bit. Can you imagine a baby actually doing that? We’d like to start the potty training first before we get there… for now we’re just happy he’s healthy.
Some of the reporters were saying how guys who have had babies in the past have a great first game back, I’d like that to continue but I’m not so sure. Whenever I miss four days of practice or a game, I’m a little rusty but I’m excited to come back for tomorrow’s game. It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve been with the team but everybody’s ready for this stretch at home now.
congratulations! hope everything goes well and they baby and mom are happy and healthy
Congratulation to you and your wife, Darcy! I love the name Braden
It’s great to hear he was healthy. Good Luck tomorrow against the Lightning & Congrats once again!
congratulations Darcy hope you are happy and good luck against the lightning hope you win
congrats on the baby hope you win against the lightning
huge congrats Darcy and to your wife too
lovely name, and I can just picture the little fella perfecting his hooks and uppercuts
Congrats on the baby! Glad to hear the baby is doing well. Braden is a great name by the way. Everything changes when you become parents and it’s a good change. Good luck tomorrow night and congrats once again.
Congratulations on a happy and healthy baby. Hope your family is doing well and it’s nice to see you back on the ice.
Congratz Darcy!
LOL can we sign your son to an entry level contract now to make sure he is a Canuck when he’s older? Best wishes to you and your family.
P.S. Lookin forward to having you back in the lineup!
Crongratulations to you and your wife Darcy! Think about it, you are a DAD!! Isn’t that an awsome thought? Glad to hear things went well, good luck for the rest of the season.
HEY DARCY!!!
awwww i’m so happy for you and your family,
and thats a super cute name for the baby haha or in his case an awesome name for a future nhler…and fighting major leader
but i hope you and your family all the best,
and cant wait to see you on the ice tmrrow night
hoping you score a goal:
Gagan Lidhran
Congratulations to you and your wife, Darcy!
In fact, congratulations to Jason LaBarbarera and his girlfriend too! Wouldn’t it be cool if Braden and Ryder became best friends? Their birthdays are so close together.
Good luck against the Lightning! Go lay a big hit on Lecavalier!
congratulations to you and your wife! Braden is an awesome name! Best wishes to you and your family, and good luck with tomorrow night’s game!
Aweeee. Congratulations, to both you and your wife!! Braden is a gorgeous name!
Congrats! Keep it simple and savour all the tender moments; they vanish in an instant…
Congratulations,
Glad to hear he is healthy, good luck tommorow against the lightning and dont forget to flatten lecalvier
Congratz Darcy, i really like that name!
Bring Canada home the cup.
very good to hear that every thing went well for you and the misses.great that the baby is healthy.need to tell me the secret for making boys.i only make girls.jus kiddin kinda.enjoy little one and good luck tonight.
great to hear that Hordi, you are probably spoiling for a fight.
Congrats Darcy, to you and your wife, Braden is a good, strong name. I’m sure he’ll be a scrapper like his dad. good luck tonite against Tampa.
you just got a whole lot hotter!, congratulations, i have a baby due on the 16th of march, i hope the father is a doting as you are.
Congratulations Darcy!
Such a nice thing to happen to such a nice…er, I mean, tough guy. Sincere best wishes to you and your family.
And welcome back!
Wait to go
Ooops sorry Way to go
Aw, congratulations to you and your wife! Braden is a nice name, and it goes well with Hordichuk
congratulations to you and your wife! Best wishes to your family, and good luck with tonight’s game!
Congrats to you and your family Darcy ,same bday as mine wooohoooo!!!!!Go Canucks Go!
Congrat’s Darcy, you ran into my wife and I in the Ottawa airport before your flight, we are thrilled you made it there on time! All the best and enjoy every minute!
hey Darcy,
Congradulations to you and ur family. Good luck in to nights game =)
Congrats on the birth of ur baby, enjoy…….
Hey Darcy!
Being a mom myself, I am so glad to hear that you were able to make it home for the birth. Labour is a gruelling thing to go through, but as you said you did everything you could and the fact that you were there is the most important thing!
Congrats again, and welcome Braden, take lots of pictures because they grow up and change everyday!
Congrats to you and your wife on the baby, me and my wife live just outside of prince albert, sk and we had a baby boy on the 11th.
gratz on the baby… gl on you game against the jackets… SCORE A GOAL FOR THE BABY =D
Great game tonight, Darcy!
Your line OWNED the opposition’s end!
Congrats on your son’s arrival – hope he get’s his pic taken sitting in The Cup:)
Just saw this blog entry now. A belated congratulations, and 6 pounds for a preemie is actually quite HUGE, so he will probably be a big healthy boy as he grows.