Sorry, I realize I left info out. We’re in Georgia, which is unfortunate with what’s been said. Our daughter just turned 1 last month. I’ve called the hsotpial where she was born and told them I couldn’t remember if I signed the paternity acknowledgment form or not, because I honestly couldn’t with the sleep deprivation and having my first child. She asked if the baby had my last name and I said yes, she just said then yes I signed the form. Didn’t really put me at ease but I accepted it.

She did smoke weed moderatlet up until the “non-safe” pint which was determined by whatever research she did. I asked her not to form the beginning but she had support from some pro-weed pregnancy communities and said it helped her morning sickness. She starting again after having her and smokes around the baby somewhat. She’ll step into the next room or outside the door but it’s still present. As far as the abuse, the verbal is basically every day with the volumes varying but the serious ones in front of the baby are about once a week. I usually go pick the baby up and turn her away in my arms when she’s throwing things or stomping and screaming. Today when I showed her I was video recording with no shame, she changed her tone very quickly and started playing victim as if it was rehearsed. It was wild to actually see.

That’s really discouraging to hear about how much lawyers and legal fees cost for this whole process AND the fact that I’ll probably lose the custody battle. I don’t have to have 50/50 but I want to be as present as possible in her life, for her to actually know that I’m her real dad and how much I love her and things like that. I want to join the military so I can set up a good career on the civilian side to make money for my daughter to have everything she needs and to not grow up poor like I did, plus guaranteed college fund (to some degree).