HOUSTON -- Jake Meyers remembers everything about the events of Dec. 10, 2022. He remembers the anticipation as his wife, Maddie, went into labor, the anxiety of awaiting the birth of their first child and the sound of his newborn daughter taking her first breath at 8:47 a.m.

Ava Joanne Meyers came into the world at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 20 inches, and she was perfect. That’s the moment Meyers, the Astros outfielder, became a dad and his life changed forever.

“It was incredible,” he said. “That’s a day I’ll never forget. I’m just really happy to experience something like that, and now it’s an unbelievable responsibility, but an unbelievable experience in general.”

Sunday will be a special day for Meyers. Not only is it his first Father’s Day, but it’s also his 27th birthday. Maddie and Ava will be in the stands watching Jake when the Astros play the Reds at Minute Maid Park. Seeing his wife hold their child is the only gift he will need.

“I didn’t understand what it truly felt like to unconditionally love someone,” he said. “That’s the feeling I got. It’s a feeling you can try to describe, but you can’t really fully describe.”

Ava was born in Omaha, Neb., which shouldn’t come as a surprise if you’re familiar with the Meyers family. Jake played at the University of Nebraska, following in the footsteps of his father. Paul Meyers was drafted in the fourth round in 1986 out of Nebraska and played five years in the Minor Leagues, topping out at Triple-A. Jake Meyers was drafted in the 13th round in 2017.

Like his father, Jake bats right-handed and throws left-handed, but the similarities between father and son don’t stop there. Jake said his father set the example of what a dad should be by how he raised his family.

“I definitely see a lot of my dad in myself and how I’ve been a father so far,” he said. “I’m sure it will be very similar going forward.”

In fact, both sets of grandparents -- Jake’s parents and Maddie’s mom and dad -- have been helping to raise the baby. After all, it takes a village. The extra sets of hands are invaluable for first-time parents, who are learning new schedules and how to care for a life for the first time.

“Me and my wife are lucky we can lean on our parents for help, and we have,” he said. “They’ve been incredible for us, to teach us what they did. That’s kind of where we’ve gone for most of our information, but really just learning day to day and choosing how we want to do it.”

Meyers got to spend about two months at home in Nebraska with his wife and daughter following her birth before he had to head to Florida for Spring Training. The whole family came to Spring Training, but road trips in the regular season mean the new dad has to use technology to stay in touch from afar. When the Astros are out of town, Maddie and Ava are in Nebraska.

“We’re really lucky we have FaceTime,” Jake said. “Now it’s just a quick week or two weeks [away], and they’re back in Houston every homestand and I get to see her.”

Meyers will quickly learn how fast time flies when you’re a dad. Ava will be walking and talking before he knows it, and kindergarten will be around the corner. Don’t blink. The first major milestone is coming soon: her first words.

“I’m excited to see what her personality is like and try to have conversations with her,” he said. “I think I’m real excited for her to say, ‘Dad!’ and run towards me and give me a big hug.”

Meyers wants Ava’s first word to be “Dada,” but Maddie is pushing hard for “Mama.” Either way, Meyers’ heart will be full when he hears her first word, whatever it is.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said with a smile.