With his wife's due-date quickly approaching, Hugh Weber started to panic.
"I just thought, 'holy smokes, I have no idea what I'm doing,'" Weber said.
So this soon-to-be-dad turned to the internet for some fatherly wisdom. Weber became discouraged after he discovered that most of the online material was targeted for soon-to-be moms.
"You hop online and the mom-blog community is so noteworthy. There's literally thousands and thousands, but hardly any for new dads," Weber said.
Frustrated by a lack of information, Weber decided to start his own online support group for new dads. Weber had more questions than answers and within hours of launching the website dudetodad.com, Weber discovered he wasn't alone.
"And in the first 24 hours, over 43 countries had accessed the Web site," Weber said.
It wasn't long before Weber's call for help produced some solid results.
"Between Twitter and Facebook, which are the two primary places I post videos, there are almost 3,000 people, probably 90 percent dads, grandfathers that are throwing in their wisdom," Weber said.
When the due date for Mrs. Dude, also known as Amy, came and went, Dudetodad lit-up with all kinds of ideas to help induce labor.
"Everything from fresh pineapple to mandatory motorcycle rides. It was pretty hilarious, I've gotta say," Weber said.
When doctors finally induced Amy, dad invited his new online family into the delivery room.
"She’s in the middle of labor and I'm reading literally hundreds of messages from all over the world encouraging her," Weber said.
Then it happened. After months of preparing and worrying, this dude finally became a dad. Emerson Victoria Weber entered into the world last week. And Weber's extended online family has been there every step of the way.
"Had a guy check-in on me, we were up late last night and he checked-in and said 'maybe you should try a coddle blanket or let me send you a video of how I kept their feet bound in.'" Weber said.
Weber says he's amazed by the Web site and thankful for all the valuable advice. With the most important piece of advice coming from his own dad.
"He just told me 'your job in this process is to help Emerson become the person she's meant to be, and be there to provide some boundaries.'" Weber said.
Emerson may not agree with that, but it seems this new dad has already learned the benefits of a bottle and a bounce. Childbirth has been described as nothing short of miracle. And now that daddy's little girl is here, Weber is looking forward to serving his fellow man by helping them make the transition from dude to dad.
