Guest Author - Jacqueline Geller

The excitement of a first child propels the parents-to-be into a new, exciting type of love. Their love for each other turns into the elated expectation of spreading that love to a third person, a tiny, lovable creature who magically solves all problems and waves a wand of peace and forever enchantment over the household.

The parents-to-be take parenting classes, childbirth classes, eagerly view the sonograms and prepare the nursery, lost in their newfound love for each other and the thought that they are bringing a little miracle into the world. This is a wonderful period in the life of a couple. Waiting for a baby to be born is truly a magnificent event.

When Mama-to-be craves pickles at 2am, her normally impatient husband lovingly goes out and brings them home to her. He is the hunter bringing home the bounty for the gatherer. He IS the man of the house and will provide the mother of his child anything humanly possible.

They cuddle as they see the sonogram, the proof that their little miracle is growing and thriving. Some couples show photos of the sonogram to family and friends, pointing out every detail with awe and wonder.

Then they say the words that those in the real world find amusingly cute. “The baby won’t change our lives one bit,” they proudly say to their friends. “We will just be one more!”

Friends who have new babies themselves nod quietly, hoping not to disrupt this happy thought. (Secretly, they are waiting for someone else to feel their pain.)

Friends with toddlers laugh out loud as their little angels run around, knock things over and generally behave as toddlers. Smugly, the parents-to-be think to themselves, “But of course, OUR children will NEVER behave like that! They will play quietly at our feet when we visit friends.”

The truth of the matter is that no one can explain how much a baby changes its parents’ lives. Nothing will ever be the same. Sleep becomes non-existent. Parents walk around in coma-like conditions and Baby rules their world. The toddler will run around like a spinning top, screaming “no,” while learning how to explore its little corner of the world.

Get ready for the craziest roller coast ride imaginable. A child needs lots of love and care. Many days will be wonderful. Some will be horrible. Baby will be sleeping soundly, but Mom will get up anyway to see if Baby is breathing.

Dad or Mom will coach the soccer team and marvel at their child’s brilliance as the goalie. Many great moments will outweigh the lack of sleep and privacy that settles over the lives of parents.

Nothing will be the same, but it certainly will not be boring, so enjoy the ride (especially the dips)!