Last week my friend and colleague Denise Parrish found out she's having a little boy.
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Jennifer Miller is the editor of Family Chronicles. She and her husband Ed have two sons, Ben 11, and Zack, 8.
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So in January Robert Hunter Parrish IV will arrive, hopefully healthy and happy.
It's been fun watching Denise through these early months. We share stories and compare notes. These aren't long, involved conversations, just something between two moms. I've known Denise for more than 10 years now. I've watched her grow up from a college senior ready to make her way in the world, through the dating years and now to the place is she now: happily married to a wonderful man with a baby on the way.
She's started feeling that "flutter." Moms, you know what I'm talking about. That little feeling in your belly that you get early on in your pregnancy - you aren't sure, but you think it's your baby. What a wonderful moment. You're smiling now, aren't you?
There are so many stages with children. Parenthood is a wonderful journey.
Remember glorious moments when you bring them home for the first time. You snuggle, cuddle, feed, love and hold them. They smell sweet and clasp your finger in their tiny hand. That's when you learn your real capacity for love.
Every age and stage is so special. Toddlers bounce around seeking that first independence. But parents are always nearby and kids want it that way. Preschoolers ask questions, form friendships and soak up all the knowledge they can find. There's a whole new set of challenges when they hit school. There's so much to learn, so much to share.
The other day I happened upon one of those defining moments parents have with their children.
I didn't mean to step into a private moment, but I just happened to be standing in the toiletries aisle at the grocery store picking out hair gel.
A father brought his son over to pick out deodorant. Clearly it was the first time. The boy, about 10 or so, was a little uncomfortable - you know, that feeling you get when you're stepping into those un-chartered waters of adolescence. They stood in front of the shelves lined with containers and surveyed what was available. "You need to put it on in the morning before you start sweating," the father told him gently. The boy agreed. "Now what kind do you want," Dad asked, making light of the situation by reading off the brands that were clearly just for girls.
It was sweet. It wasn't a big deal, but this Dad was sharing and helping his son take one more step toward manhood. That's what our jobs as parents is - to make out children good adults. If we're lucky we'll succeed.
When little Hunter arrives Denise and Robert will start that journey. They'll have lots of help from family and friends, but this will be the journey they take with their new family.
I know it's going to be a wonderful trip.
