First Year Dad-Top Ten List

It's been a year. Are you kidding? Sometimes it feels like he was born yesterday. Then again, at other times, I feel like he was born eons ago and this has been the longest year EVER. Such is the role of parenting: experiencing/feeling/perceiving polar opposite realities simultaneously on a regular basis.

This is typified in the statement 'parenting is the hardest job you'll love.' Cliche or not, it's true for me. Here's my top ten list which may or may not be useful for new Dad's everywhere:

1-Understand that the definition of Down Time will change dramatically. Down Time nowadays is going to the bathroom, mowing the lawn, driving to the grocery store, going to work. Really.

2-Sleep as much as you can. Resist the temptation to stay up late working on that iTunes playlist....baby will decide to get up at 5:30 tomorrow.

3-Realize that your priorities will change. You won't resent this..in fact, it's a huge relief. Stuff that seemed like huge problems in the past will simply become mild annoyances. This includes problems at work. NOTHING matters more than the Big Picture of your Fatherhood!

4-You'll catch yourself checking out families that you see out in public.

5-You will learn and know the definition of unconditional love. This is automatic on the birth of your baby. You thought you knew. But, oh no, sir....not until the baby is born.

6-You will appreciate your wife/spouse in ways that were never before possible because the connection is deeper now. Period.

7-You thought you had a lot of stuff? Nothing compares to baby gear! Good Luck packing for that first trip. That's an adventure in and of itself. And just when the car is packed, you'll be asked if you packed the excer-saucer yet? Um, no, I didn't. Add 1 more hour to the packing.

8-You'll actually not mind removing snot from baby's face. (Full disclosure: I used my bare hand to achieve this on the streets of Washington D.C.). Trust me: this won't seem so gross at a future time.

9-You'll discover that like puppies, babies attract women. Baby=chick magnet. Who knew?? Granted, you're too tired and too committed to your family to consider a dalliance but the attention's nice.

10-Nothing will EVER be the same again. Enjoy the ride. And Welcome aboard.