so how do you fathers do it?

[labrax]

I have a 4yr old and before she was born I made it a point to get out a lot. The nice thing is that kids tend to go to bed early after they are infants. That allows me to now get up at 2am hop in the car and fish and be back home around 9am, so I do not miss family time. I may be a little brain dead, but a quick nap in the afternoon and you can function alright. You'll be able to squeeze in the fishing somewhere.

Being a Dad is a great gig - like was mentioned earlier in the thread. They do say some funny things and it is fun to see things through their perspective. Just attended the end of the year concert at pre-school and captured one of those 'America's funniest home video' moments of one of my daughter's classmates picking her nose, examining it and then popping it into her mouth all during one of the songs.

Good luck with everything - especially planning that baby shower...

[Jimbo]

BJS, the early part of balancing family, work and personal life is the easy part. It's when they multiply and become mobile that you need a degree in balancing to handle it all even at that there's margin for error, but it's a great ride and like Hightide and labrax said, full of memories. I've got a million, but one I am constantly reminded of is one hectic morning while I was packing lunches and making sure no one missed the bus, I inadvertently put a Bud Light in my then 7 year old's lunch bag instead of a Diet Coke. She sold me out to her teacher in a heartbeat and I had a most interesting call from the assistant principal.
Take pictures constantly, they grow up too fast.

[BrianS]

Thanks guys... Its been a hell of a couple weeks... and it all just coming to a head

Reading this stuff, put it a bit more in perpspective and reminded me of the all the goodness that is coming. I am really looking forward to this child... I just smile any time i see any baby - screaming/laughing/smiling/whatever.... I just cant wait.

Just hitting a low point before I shoot back up... As soon as I get this @#$#$ Baby shower out of the way, its more or less clear sailing from there...

[likwid]

Originally Posted by bjs

As soon as I get this @#$#$ Baby shower out of the way, its more or less clear sailing from there...

I'm taking lithium for that day.

[partsjay]

After that for the next 3-4 years you are like the Messiah. Every time you come home you'll hear the running down the hallway and the Screams of "Daddy, Daddy" almost like you just returned from war instead of a day at the office. They'll sit with you while you do everything. That kid will follow you anywhere.....they'd stand next to you while your sitting on the Pot if you'd let them

Hilarious!!!

[justplugit]

It will all work out. Re-arrange your priorities as to what you think---
is the most important first. You will be a Father, and imho the most important job you will ever have. Whatever sacrafices you make will be worth it. It's kinda like pay me now or pay me later.

Make time for your wife as if that relationship falls apart so will everything else.

Enjoy, your in for a great ride.