[olliejen]

congrats Joe! My son's a few months shy of 2 and my wife is preg again. I was NOT a kid-guy and I had no interest in kids. Things've obviously changed. Here's off the top of my head:

1. Your wife's pregnancy hormones may make her a little "off" for a while. Try and be understanding/accomodating if she has bouts unreasonableness and/or strangely emotionally charged reactions to things. She can't help herself.

2. try and keep in mind what it feels like when non-parents have to sit through enthusiastic parents telling sickeningly boring stories about babies doing completely routine things. you'll be one of those parents, so try and be considerate to the poor story-telling victim.

3. Reserve judgement of the fatherhood experience until AFTER the 1st 3 months. Women bond immediately and the cuteness thing for them is overwhelming immediately, but its different for men. Interaction is much bigger for us. Once they can smile and you can see them start to work things out in their little brains, you feel this ridiculous, indescribable sensation of pure joy well up inside you. Really, there's nothing like it.

4. Soak up and enjoy everything. It all goes by too fast and they'll change sooner than you are ready for them to.

All the best,
--oj.