I'm a Dad!

[orleans]

127. my first bit of advice is to quit drinking (that is--if you drink)

life gets very hard, and sad, for kids that have to grow up in a household where one or both parents have a drinking problem

pay attention to all the little details, savor them, each stage and phase goes by quickly

write letters to her that she can read when she grows up (with descriptions of adorable, weird, funny, puzzling things she did and what mom & dad did, thought, felt, etc.) document the little details of her life and your new life with her

welcome to babyland! throw yourself into it full force, let yourself be wowed and amazed at how perfectly amazing your baby is. two years from now babyland will be gone--it turns into the hood (toddler-hood) so enjoy it while you can.

toddler-hood is great too. you get to see the world in a different perspective, through the eyes of a child, and that's really cool.

and then kid-dom after that. it's all good. every year, every stage, every month, and day. take a deep breath and dive in--i'm sure you'll appreciate it all.

congratulations--wishing all of you a most lovely life together.