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.