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Daddy Diaries
A year ago my life changed forever. I became a Dad.
An experience that only another father would understand. In the first year of my child's life, there's been plenty of times you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. At the same time the past year hasn't been without its dramas. To have a strong bond with my wife has been very important to me as we help each other through the sleepless nights, first teeth and all the other firsts that have popped up along the way.
A good relationship with my wife of course sees her understand when I need to have a few drinks on a Friday afternoon or go out on the boat to pull the cray pots. Though we cross those bridges as we come to them. 
The biggest thing that I have learnt this year is RESPONSIBILITY. I am completely responsible for the way I bring up my son and although he is only young, I already see him picking up on many things I do already. Like just the other day he had propped himself against the couch with the TV remote changing channels. I wish he didn't pick that up, it's hard enough fighting my wife for the TV remote. So I see how important it is for me to set an example for my son... now, nothing goes unnoticed.
Another helpful thing has been a close family unit. We don't live with family close by, but regular visits and phonecalls are an enormous help. There have been so many times we wished we were within driving distance from our parents but being able to talk through the highs and lows of our journey with them has been fantastic.
So far it has been an experience that I have thoroughly enjoyed and no matter how tough it may get, one smile from my little boy makes everything else in life seem insignificant.
Life Before a Baby
Life before a baby was fantastic. Sleepy Sundays, rowdy parties, casino trips and not too much responsibility. Life has changed and I don't regret it for a minute. Althougha run of a few sleepless nights is often enough to give you a moments second thought. I think alot of parenting is common sense. Our boy often didn't scream for no reason. All the reading in the world won't compare to a parents instincts and understanding of their own child. It will help you to understand what other parents went through, but all babies are different. Before our baby came along we spent a bit fo time shopping for all the necessities - cot, change table and all the other bits and pieces. This is a good time to try and buy some other necessities if you know the sex of your baby, like a big tonka truck or a car your baby can drive around. I said TRY for a reason. I'm still TRYING to convince my wife that our boy needs some toys with big motors.
We brought some clothes, but when our boy was born, a little outfit came from just about everyone we knew which was great. They don't last in 5 zeross for very long, or 4 zeros for that matter. So we didn't buy too many of these before your our boy was born.
Pregnancy, birth and all that goes with it is quite taxing on your wifes body so try and encourage and help your partner to stay or get fir and healthy as much as possibel before the birth as this will help her labour and recovery. Also... get as much sleep as you can.
Birth
A part of the whole child bearing experience that makes you appreciate being a male. I often think that I understand why women have children and not men. Picture this if you will, would you rather try and squeeze something the size of a bowling ball out of something that is naturally about ten times smaller, or lift up your shirt at the pub and say "check out this scar I've got." Imagine driving your Misses around for at least 9 months to all the parties and social gatherings and seeing her stumble in the door instead of you. Imagine your partner driving you to the hospital while you're in labour. A scary thought I'm sure you would agree.
It is an experience though that is absolutely amazing. I think a good relationship with an obstetrician is a bonus but they are trained to deal with any problems that arise.
TIP" One word of advice when your partner is in labour is keep your finger well away from her mouth.
Changing a Nappy
Changing a nappy should only be done by mothers, there's no two ways about it!!!!!!!
I have been witness to some sights and smells that I'm sure have left scars on the inside of my nose and burnt the back of my eyeballs. I have however changed my fair share of nappies to this stage of Cooper's life only because I am fast running out of excuses to get out of it.
Probably the biggest shock I ever got was the first half dozen nappies. For the other tradies out there, sticky black silicone is the only way I can describe them. Even the industrial breathing mask I brought in preparation didn't help as it would have freaked my boy out way too much (permanent mental scarring my wife said).
So a word of advice, if you can get out of it, do your best. But at then end of the day, nappies still need to be changed to avoid rashes and bum burn. The decision for cloth nappies or disposables are a personal decision for you and you only to make.
In my experience nappies aren't too hard or difficult to change until as I've recently found out your baby learns to crawl and move around. Changing a bum on the run is a whole new experience.
Sleepless Nights
Unfortunately for my sleep patterns our son didn't quite understand the concept of sleep for about 7 months. Some nights were bearable and on others I wanted to throw the baby monitor out the front door. Getting out of bed for work was no longer an issue as I was generally up anyhow. We by no means had the worse sleeper in the world but it certainly tested us on numerous occasions.
From knowing how other friends with young children have gone, sleeping is either something babies do from birth or don't pick up for a while! But there is help out there if everything you try fails. If your baby does sleep through the night, then you should be very thankful and if you have friends whose babies aren't sleeping through, be sure not to whinge to them when you are unfortunate enough to only get 6 hours sleep!!
A word of advice though blokes, even if you do the right thing and take your turn with an unsettled baby at some ungodly hours your wife still may be unhappy and grumpy in the morning.