The excitement is mounting

Will the due date really be the 19th of June? Is it 1 month from now, sooner or later? The parents to be have certainly been busy getting the home ready both physically, emotionally and spiritually. What and exciting time for Jodi and I. We can't wait to share our love with this little one that kicks and puches the insides of my wife.

The Gottman classes have been wonderful for helping to prepare ourselves for the emotional challenges to come. My favorite part so far has been learning how "constructive criticism" is a terrible way to help your child. Never before have I thought that this was a bad form of educating your child, but it makes a lot of sense to me now. My hope is that I will find the strength to encourage our child through praising their triumphs and not critiquing their trials.

The other great lesson taught in these last few months is to treat the first 3 months of life as the "fourth trimester." This seems like a good way to view the first few months as most parents tell me that they are difficult since the child is harder to interact with.

8 months have never gone by so quickly in my life; I am anxious to meet our child.

One Month and Counting!

Holy smokes! It is May 19th, which means only one thing in my mind...due date is one month away! Where did the 8 months go? I feel like I blinked my eyes, grew a big belly and now I am going to be a mom. If the belly wasn't growing so rapidly, I think I would ask for one more month. It does feel surreal at times until I am quickly reminded by a punch, kick or somersault that yes, a baby is living in me.

The idea of parenthood is starting to really excite me! Fortunatley, you have 9 months to mentally and emotionally prepare for this HUGE transtion in life. In the first few months, you really have to shed your layer or idea of independence. For those who can do it over night, I want to know what's in their drinking water. It took me awhile to come around as I now see and feel this incredible joy that I will soon be able to experience life with in so many ways. I can't wait to learn from him/her as much as s/he will learn from us.

Justin and I love our classes! We finished up our biology course, Pregnancy and Childbirth Preparation with Penny Simkin. Penny is internationally known in the birthing community and has helped deliver thousands of babies into this world. Her philosophy of "rhythm is everything" will be very useful in the upcoming weeks. Our next class focuses on the pyschology of parenthood and relationships. It's called Bringing Baby Home and is offered though the Gottman Institute. I've enjoyed this class even more because it focuses on strengthening the relationship between mom and dad because "that is the greatest gift you can give your child". Justin and I have learned a lot about each other already and continue to work on how to be a better partnership for our family.