Birkhead Back In Kentucky With Dannielynn

Anna Nicole Smith's ex-boyfriend arrived in Kentucky from the Bahamas on Tuesday with their infant daughter and said he is looking forward to introducing the baby to his family.

"It just feels good to be home," Larry Birkhead said after stepping off a private jet and walking up to a fence where more than a dozen photographers and a handful of reporters were gathered.

Birkhead said he plans to show off 7-month-old Dannielynn to his family in Louisville and "relax and horse around."

He said his plans include attending the Barnstable Brown party on Friday, an exclusive celebrity-packed gala on the eve of the Kentucky Derby. The event is where he and Smith first met when he was working as a freelance photographer.

He said Tuesday the baby had an easy flight.

"She did great," he said.

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Photos: Dannielynn's Daddy

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At a private terminal at the Louisville airport, people could be seen moving a variety of baby gear off the plane and into the back of an SUV. Birkhead, dressed in a dark T-shirt and jeans, shielded the baby from view with a jacket.

Birkhead, a 34-year-old photographer based in Los Angeles, said he's unsure if he will stay in Louisville with his daughter.

"This is one pit stop," Birkhead said.

The plane Birkhead arrived in was chartered by the TV show "Access Hollywood" to bring its reporting team back from the Bahamas.

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Photos: Rest In Peace, Anna

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"We were excited to take them to a happy homecoming in Louisville," the show said in a statement.

"Access Hollywood" has promoted its planned coverage of a family reunion in Kentucky, but a show publicist said the program did not compensate Birkhead for its exclusive access. She said the program's parent company, NBC Universal, does have a deal with him but she could not describe the terms.

It was the first trip out of the Bahamas for Dannielynn Hope Marshall Birkhead, who was born in September only three days before Smith's adult son, Daniel, died at her hospital bedside from a lethal combination of drugs.

Smith, 39, collapsed and died in February from an accidental drug overdose. She was buried beside her son at a Nassau cemetery.

Birkhead was authorized by a judge last week to take Dannielynn out of the Bahamas. The ruling followed legal battles by Birkhead to prove his paternity claim and gain custody following the former Playboy playmate's death in February.

A new Bahamian birth certificate listing Birkhead as the father was issued in line with a court order last week, removing the name of Smith's last companion, Howard K. Stern. Stern had been caring for the girl in the oceanfront home in the Bahamas he shared with Smith.

Legal wrangling continues over the estate of Smith's late husband, Texas oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall II, who died in 1995. It remains unclear how much, if any, of the $500 million Marshall estate Dannielynn might inherit and whether her guardian would have access to the money.

Birkhead is a Kentucky native who graduated from the University of Louisville in 1999.

[hedonist3]

I find it telling that he had "Stern" removed from the birth certificate but not "Marshall". Hmmmmm........

[tweetybird51-2009]

I'm so happy for Larry.Dannielynn looks just like her daddy.Love her with all your heart.I've been rooting for you all the way Larry.I know your going to be a great dad to her.

[myangelrandi]

I just hope Larry didn't get the baby to make money on her....he has this camera crew following him around and filming every move they make...come on Larry...protect that little bundle of joy that has been given to you...keep the Camera's off of her and you.......give her the most NORMAL life that she can have...

[ecuadoriana]

Sorry, but this guy looks like...

Words fail me.

Well, I guess what I want to say is:

I wouldn't want him to raise my toilet seat, let alone raise my child.

I'll stop now.

[impeachgwb]

Hide from Stern before he kills you!

IMPEACH BUSH THE IDIOT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tony7840]

MAY GOD BLESS LARRY AND DANNIELYNN!!!! She will be loved forever by all of us. Amen!!

[tony7840]

MAY GOD BLESS LARRY AND DANNIELYNN!!!! She will be loved forever by all of us. Amen!!

[tony7840]

MAY GOD BLESS LARRY AND DANNIELYNN!!!! She will be loved forever by all of us. Amen!!

[ajaxrose1]

Here's hoping she'll have a nice life and be very loved.

[dgshiner]

Lets hope he will be a good father to this lil heiress! But most of all that she will be loved and have a near normal childhood as possibly can since her mother's demise!