By Erica Solvig
Enquirer staff writer

NORWOOD - U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Nussbaum came home from Iraq to mourn the loss of his father, but the two-week leave also gave him the chance to celebrate a new life.

Sgt. Michael Nussbaum kisses his new daughter, Autumn Jade Nussbaum. (Michael E. Keating photo)

Nussbaum and his fiance, Samantha Dixon, welcomed their daughter, Autumn Jade, Saturday night at University Hospital - just in time for them to have a few days together before Nussbaum returns to Iraq today.

"It's all about her future, that's why I wear that uniform," the 33-year-old Nussbaum said of his third child before leaning over and giving her a kiss in their Norwood home. "She'll be 18 one day and driving and going to college. Just knowing she can do it in a free world her dad helped defend, that's a really good feeling."

Nussbaum initially flew into Miami for his father's funeral. Because Dixon couldn't fly, he came here to get her and the couple drove to Florida to spend time with Nussbaum's mother.

On the way home, Dixon started having labor pains. On Friday, a doctor told the couple it could still be some time before the birth. Because the baby was at full term, the doctors gave Dixon some medication that sped up the labor so Nussbaum could be there for the big moment.

Autumn arrived about half-hour shy of the Fourth of July at 7 pounds, 2 ounces. They returned home Monday afternoon and weren't there an hour before family members came by to visit.

"This is just like having Christmas in July," said 23-year-old Dixon, a medical assistant at University Hospital and a student at the University of Cincinnati.

Nussbaum, who is stationed in Bamberg, Germany, with the 82nd Engineer Battalion, won't be out of Iraq until February. He will be done with his military service in May and will return home for good.

What keeps soldiers going, Nussbaum says, is the patriotism they see back home. He and Dixon family planned to lend their support by going to Monday night's "celebration of life" ceremony for Sgt. Charles Kiser in Batavia, where the mother of captured Army Spc. Keith "Matt" Maupin spoke.

"I've seen the birth of my daughter and been at my father's funeral," Nussbaum said. "If I could right now, as hard as it sounds and as callous as it sounds, I would trade it for (Maupin) to come home and spend time with his family. I know it sounds unfair to my baby and Sam, but I think they would understand."

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E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com