Father's Day is special for all fathers, but it is especially significant for those who have recently brought home a baby.

Timothy and Suzanne Carr of Butler welcomed their first child, Abigail Grace Carr, on May 24.

"Everyone warned us that we wouldn't be getting much sleep and they were right," Tim Carr said. "At the same time, when I'm getting up to feed her in the middle of the night, I realize what a gift it is to take care of her."

Carr works from home and his wife has taken time off to care for Abby. As first-time parents, Carr said he and his wife are learning as they go.

"Sometimes you feel inadequately prepared, but you also catch on pretty quickly," he said."I guess we have an innate knowledge about what to do."

Carr said his favorite part of being a father to Abby is "getting to see her smile and having her recognizing my voice."

"It's a true blessing to have kids," Carr said. "I'm looking forward to being a dad and helping Abby and our future children grow up."

Carr said he'll eventually be worried about boys, but that having a daughter has been wonderful so far.

Carr said he has a strong sense of family and is happy he and his wife have started their own.

"We view her as a gift from God," he said. "We really appreciate having her."

Tom and Christine Rice's son, Grant, was born April 23. The Chicora couple also have a daughter, Emelia, who will turn 2 in August.

Grant has added an interesting new dimension to their family, Tom Rice said, adding Emelia has adjusted well to having a brother.

"It definitely has changed the household and made things busier,"Rice said. "And we've been very sleep deprived, especially during the first month or so."

The best part of fatherhood is just spending time with the kids, Rice said.

"I look forward to coming home from work and spending my evenings with them," he said.

Rice said he has no big worries about fatherhood.

"(My wife and I) are both grounded people," he said. "We will take whatever comes to us and adjust accordingly."

With two babies at home, Rice said, Father's Day will be a low-key celebration.

"I'm just going to keep it simple and spend the day with them," he said.

Raymond andKiley Yaracs of Butler added a third daughter, Kaylen, to their family on April 10.

Kaylen has two older sisters, 4-year-old Mackenna and 2-year-old Delaney.

As the father of three girls, Yaracs said, "I'll probably be gray before I'm 40."

Yaracs said having a newborn is wonderful, and he and his wife have the basics down.

"We've gone through everything with the other two," he said. "Now the baby is crying and we know exactly what to do."

The family can't wait to see Kaylen's character develop because the older girls already have such distinct personalities, Yaracs said.

"Delaney's going to be my tomboy," he said. "Mackenna is like a mother hen, especially to the newest one."

Mackenna and Delaney are having fun with their new sister, and Yaracs said he loves to spend time playing with all three.

"They're basically at my side from the time I get home from work until bedtime," he said. "They're my little sidekicks."

Yaracs said having a son would have been nice, but he doesn't feel that he is missing out on anything.

"I'm a very proud dad," he said. "I wouldn't trade my three girls for anything in the world."