Becoming a first-time dad can be both exhilarating and absolutely terrifying. We host regular interviews with new moms in our New Mom Moment series, but decided to focus on Dad for this interview. I sat down with Joseph Cook to get his perspective on becoming a first-time dad and expecting twins.

When are your babies due? Do you have names picked out?

Our babies are due June 7th, so we’re halfway. We have a whole list of boy, girl, and unisex names picked out. I really like the names Solomon and Logan for a boy and Grey and Simone for a girl, but my wife and I are still adding to the list. It’s so hard trying to decide on names, ha-ha.

How long have you and your wife been together?

We’ve been married for about a year and a half. We’ve been together plus married for about four years.

What is your wife's name?

Michelle Cook

When did you and your wife find out your were pregnant?

We actually found out a weekend right after we had returned from our one year anniversary in Gatlinburg, TN. We had been actively trying to get pregnant so she had been taking pregnancy tests ritualistically.

How did you react when you found out you were going to be a dad?

To be honest, the first emotion I felt was fear and worry. I was really worried about finances and just the general responsibility of raising another human being. I worried about if I even had it in me to be a father who could balance discipline, compassion, accountability, and still manage to have my child love and enjoy spending time with me.

How did you react when you found out you would be having twins?

I was more so surprised that my intuition had been right. I had a feeling that we were having twins. A feeling is the best way to describe it. I was amazed at my wife’s body. That dread I had when I found out we were having one baby? For whatever reason(s), it completely melted away when I found out we were having two. We both were teary eyed and in that moment in the ultrasound room, I was so glad that I was having twins with my wife—a woman I’ve loved for so long and a woman who I’ve always thought would be a good wife and god mother. So, I guess what I felt in that moment -  the strongest and longest, was peace.

What is your favorite thing about seeing your wife pregnant?

Seeing her belly grow, hands down! Sometimes it feels like she grew overnight. And she’s so silly. She dances with her big belly and it’s the cutest ever.

What has been the most surprising part of your wife pregnancy?

How debilitating pregnancy can be. My wife is a bolt of lightning. Pregnancy has made her slow way down, relatively speaking. I totally underestimated how nauseous pregnancy could make her and how that could result in her eating less and me worrying more. Thankfully, however, we’re past that part thanks to medicine. I always pictured myself being this super husband when my wife would get pregnant, but pregnancy will humble you because sometimes I just feel like there’s nothing I can really do to make her feel better aside from massages, cuddles, fixing meals, etc. Basically, I want to be able to alleviate all her pains, but it’s not always possible.

What are you most excited to do with your babies?

So many things! I can’t wait to nap with them, play video games with them, teach them how to read, help them be better human beings. I can’t wait to develop inside jokes with them. I can’t wait to cook them dinners with my wife. I can’t wait to do the holidays with them. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorites and were a big part of my best childhood memories. I can’t wait to help my children create their own memories.

Being a new parent can be exciting, overwhelming and sometimes a little lonely. This new blog series from Under the Nile is designed to showcase real stories from new moms and dads. Twice a month, we will introduce you to a new mom and give you an inside look at her world. Our goal is to add a little inspiration to your already busy lives.

Check back regularly to explore more stories from new parents!