Keep him out of heels so he doesn’t get Haglunds

His name has to be Patrick right?

Do they have a rent-a-kid system? Like just for a day so I can go to the zoo. But I don't want a damaged one - like the Boys and Girls Club provides.

I know, I'm not for everybody.

The first 6 months were horrible.

After that it’s been amazing and fun. My son just turned 1. It’s absolutely enjoyable now.

Also, try tying his right hand behind his back during the day. It’s done wonders for my son’s left handed accuracy.

Have real discussions with them early on. Show them the beauty of the outdoors. Instill a weird bias towards a number.

I've thought about the hand thing for basketball. He will be light years ahead of the other kids if he can dribble to either side.

Congrats man, lets hope for a successful delivery with no complications. Cherish everything. My daughter is 16 months and it seems she learns something new everyday. One day she's too scared to walk without holding someones hand, then the next she just gets up and walks around on her own. It goes by fast and is amazing to watch as they start learning to do something new literally every day.

Wow, how did I miss this thread when it was posted? Well, congratulations!

Lots of good advice in this thread so I'm not sure what I could add. I'll just agree with the point that they are all different. I have two young men that are 26 & 22 years old and a daughter that is 17 and their personalities could not have been more different. I've been through the roughest parts and came out on the other side to say that I feel as though Mrs. Lzen and I have raised 3 good people. Of course, being a parent never stops, even when they are grown.

Good luck and remember to enjoy the moments because they will be grown and out of the house before you know it.

For the 6-12 months, don't "stock up" on diapers. You'll see that them lil fuggers outgrow a size what seems like once a month until they "normalize".

I think we went through like a case size a month until like size 5.

The nights are long, but the years are short.

Whatever your wife needs (or wants) for the next two months, make sure she has it, and I mean whatever.

Never be too manly to accept help when you need it - it takes a village sometimes.

Expect the unexpected.

His first goose-egg will scare the shit out of you. Don't freak. He'll be okay.

For the toddler years: blue Dawn dish soap as pre-soak for stains on clothes.

yep, if I ever buy diapers for new parents, I always get them 5s.

I have 2 boys - a 20 year old and a 17, almost 18 yr old. It's been the honor of my lifetime helping these two boys grow up and learn how to be happy, healthy functioning members of society. I couldn't possibly be more proud to be their Father. It's been an amazing journey. So many great memories, along with the trying moments. But honestly, don't sweat the little things. They tend to work themselves out. Don't overreact in the teen years. The mood swings and the testing is all part of the deal. At the end of the day, who you act/react to those moments help shape their future. Enjoy every step along the way - both the good and the bad. I can guarantee you that you will remember the good times with happiness and laugh at many of the more frustrating moments.

I don't know if you are into writing or not. Keeping a little journal of things you did, or things they said, or "moments you had" is a cool thing to share with them as they get older.

Last thing I will offer is some sage advice I got from my Father in Law. Don't try and be a friend to your kids when they are growing up. You are the protector and the law. You nourish, protect, provide, teach and love them, but they have to know who the boss is. You can't do that if you are trying to be the cool Dad who is their friend first. If you do your job properly, your relationship with your kids will naturally roll into a friendship as they become adults (that has already started to happen with with my 20 yr old).

Congrats and best of luck to both you and your wife, Strongside. The journey of a lifetime awaits!

Watching them learn is the best thing. Just wait until she shocks you by counting to five...and then 10. Every morning when I get little man ready for "school" (daycare), I always say, "Give me your right foot," and, "Give me your left foot," when putting on his socks and shoes. One early evening, out of the blue as I'm putting a pull-up on him, he looks down, points, and says, "My right foot," and, "My left foot," and he was right! So, we started on hands. Every once in a while, he'll get it wrong when I ask him randomly, but he's got it for the most part. His memory amazes me.

Our little man was in size 3 for quite a while, and then in size 5 even longer. Currently in 3T-4T pull-ups. Potty training has been a slow process.

Lots of good advice in here, so I am going to keep it simple and say to remember 2 things:

1) The most valuable thing you have to provide him is your time.

2) He will learn most things in life by watching mom and dad. Whether that is how to treat your wife, treat other people, how to love, how to parent, how to work, how to dress, etc...... He will grow up to be the person you've shown him to be.