[CooleyAsCanBe]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I have lots of thoughts, my girls are 7 and 4 now.

- The baby phase is the most wonderful thing you'll never want to do again. It's a wild ride, so many wonderful emotions. But the workload hits like a ton of bricks and the lack of sleep is brutal.

- I'd like to say you get used to changing diapers, but I didn't. So glad that phase is behind me.

- It definitely does test a marriage. Best advice I can give is be on the lookout for your wife, and have her on the lookout for you. Watch for signs of needing that break, and give it to her when you can. You'll know the look, she'll be in need of a night out with friends or just a night of uninterrupted sleep. Give it to her when you can, and ask her to do the same for you.

- I was already big on being responsible with money, having a kid made me even more so. As soon as you lay eyes on them for the first time it hits you that you're responsible for giving this kid every advantage you possibly can. And you'll want to.

- You sacrifice a lot for your kids. But the funny thing is you'll want to.

- Being a first time parent is scary as hell, but you'll be shocked how you'll instinctively know what to do. It will come naturally so don't be anxious about the unknown.

- Vaccinate your kids, for God's sake.

- Your life will change drastically. In the baby phase it's hard to imagine leaving the house for a bit. But take the baby out to breakfast, even if it's just Panera Bread or something, and you'll realize that life does go on post-kids. You can eat out as a family and enjoy some of the same things.

- And lastly, while your life will completely change and frazzle you plenty of times, you'll never want to go back. Now when I think about my funeral someday, the #1 thing I hope people say about me is that I was a great father. Being a father is terrific and I think you'll feel the same.

Great post Schneed. Fun times.