Babies everywhere

I suppose it's only natural that once you're aware of something as life-altering as bringing new life into the world, your whole world changes.

I wasn't sure what to expect in the days, weeks and months after getting the news. But what I certainly didn't expect... all the babies.

Suddenly, it seems like they're everywhere. Sure, my baby-meter is on high alert, but where did all these kids come from? And why haven't I noticed them before?

To that end, I've also learned -- quickly -- that when you see a baby, you're also supposed to see the accessories (at least until we get our registry straight; apparently, along with Internet research, book research and word-of-mouth research, practical everyday life research is key to good decision-making).

Brittney and I will pass by someone in the grocery store and she'll say, "What pattern was that?"

It didn't take long to figure out she wasn't referring to the intricate display of precisely stacked 12-packs of soda, but rather the pattern of the infant carrier. (No, I haven't learned to identify patterns -- yet. I figure things like assembling a crib, painting a nursery and rearranging furniture to make room for the new glider are much more daddy's speed.)

While Brittney's busy studying patterns, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all the babies. And here we are, less than four months from adding to the mix... as soon as we decide on a pattern for the drapes.