Even Heaven-sent miracles need a little welcoming from the hands of man — or in this case a few women.

Although some things in life lose their luster or impact with repetition, watching a child come into this world isn’t one of them.

Welcoming my second daughter, Emma Grace, Thursday certainly drove that message home for me.

Some miracles always shine as bright as they did the first time.

My family was blessed with this newest edition, meaning I am thoroughly outnumbered three to one. As one friend pointed out, I now have another woman to boss me around.

But I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

I was just as amazed this time around. The human body and the miracle of life is humbling and enlightening. Doctors are always impressive and often get most of the credit, probably rightfully so.

But I’m convinced that the nurses are the heart and soul of any institution.

I’m not trying to take anything away from the other area hospitals because I don’t have experience to draw from there, but that certainly holds true at King’s Daughters Medical Center’s labor and maternity departments.

These women — and I’m not taking anything away from male nurse but we simply didn’t have any — were simply amazing.

From the Labor and Delivery team to the Mother and Baby group, I cannot say enough about the professionalism, compassion, and expertise of our nurses.

Amidst all the organized chaos, I didn’t get a lot of complete names and probably will leave someone out completely. For that, I sincerely apologize.

But the names I remember were Alexis, Amanda, Jenny, Bambi, Kristen, Loretta, Meagan and Melissa.

I have tremendous respect for what all nurses do and it only adds to it when you have a front row seat.

I wouldn’t downplay the role the doctor played in delivering our baby girl but the nurses had everything ready to go.

Because Baby Emma came earlier than expected she was ready to enter this world as soon as the doctor walked in the door. It may have been the easiest money he ever earned.

The nurses kept us calm and made sure the process went smoothly.

My family has been blessed during this childbirth and I’m sure thousands of others feel the same way. We have doctors and nurses to thank for that.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.