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can be rare, but that just makes them more precious. He's reminded of how much Aria looks like him. With her sometimes-spiky, thick hair and her nose. Carter even calls her "Mini" — as in "Mini Me." "It's amazing," said Carter of the resemblance, laughing. "I have a picture of her when she's asleep and her mouth is open, and there's a picture where I'm sleeping and my mouth is open. It's beyond weird. Every time I look at it, I'm just like, 'Wow.' I would have no idea what to think of it, what she would be like or how she would act. It's crazy she acts like me and looks like me." Carter's eyes started to close as he spoke. That's usually what happens when he talks about her: His cheeks crinkle and the eyes become only slits, the smile spreading across his face. But buried behind that, there's a tinge of sadness. That his relationship with her now is through photos, in maybe 30-minute "conversations" on video, in updates from her mom. He's not there to actually experience her life. To recognize how she's grown two-and-a-half inches and two pounds already in the first five weeks, already wearing three-month old clothes. To see the minuscule changes, the way she's starting to become more aware of her surroundings daily, focusing on shapes and shadows. To hear the doctor rave at her one-month checkup about Aria's strength, the way she's holding her neck up, the grasp of her tiny fist, and how it's at a twomonth level. To change the dozen-orso diapers she uses each day. To wake up four or five times a night for feedings. To cuddle her while she sleeps, so peacefully another wave of awe sweeps over. To realize how active she is but also able to just sit and chill, not prone to f fussiness. To watch how when she does get restless, a simple switch of the TV channel, to ESPN, has an oddly calming effect, the noise of sports soothing her. Sterling Carter is a 23-year-old father with the best of intentions. But he hasn't had to be a father yet. "It's difficult because I feel robbed of the experience of him being able to participate in some things," said Monheimer, who is Aria's primary caretaker. "And I know he will later on, but I think these first moments are so vital and important for him to really understand how quickly she can grow up. "I'm excited for him to come home (for Christmas) and to have the few days he's going to have with her. I'm excited for him to finish off the season strong. I'm happy he's in the place he's at and as difficult as it is … it's nice for him to be so far from home and have to experience what it really is to miss and appreciate the people he cares for, to miss and appreciate what it's going to mean for him to interact with her. The three days that he's going to be here, I hope they're going to be very impactful." Strong example Though there's little experience, there's also little doubt by Carter or Monheimer or his parents that Carter can be a good father. IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 65