T-Minus 1 Month and Counthing...

Due date: Feb. 19. Today's date: Jan. 19.

Where did the time go?

It's been a mad scramble to prepare our home, the nursery and ourselves for the arrival of lil' Maddie, but we are pretty close to ready. Things got a little hectic around the holidays, with a trip back to Oklahoma, followed by the baby shower, Christmas, switching birth providers and getting the nursery ready, but we survived.

Now, we are mostly just preparing for the big day. Practicing our relaxation, breathing and visualization. I feel like the stress has been replaced with excitement and I can't wait 'til the baby gets here!

I know that a parent's job is to teach their child how to be a good person, but sometimes I think the exact opposite is what happens. In the months leading up to this point, I've not only gained a great understanding of the human body -- they call it the miracle of birth for a reason -- but myself, my family and my relationship. If I can learn so much in such a short time from someone who isn't even here yet, I'm excited for what is still in store when she arrives.

Here are a few things I've learned about pregnancy, birth and life:

Babies can hear you in the 3rd trimester, and they will respond to certain sounds. Maddie likes Trick Daddy, which may be a cause for concern.

Hospitals don't practice a patient-first approach to health care.

Most anything can be cured with a crystal, just ask any hippie.

If you do enough painting, you will dream about painting -- and possibly hallucinate if you fail to ventilate properly.

As pregnancy progresses, my comedy success rate decreases. I would say that I was somewhere around 80% hilarious with Melinda in the beginning, and my humor approval rate is somewhere closer to 40%.

You can do to much reading about child birth.

As priorities shift, you can be left wondering how the silly things you used to worry about were ever important.

I think the most important thing I've learned is that this is the perfect time and place to have this baby. Everything that happens leads you to where you are, and prepares you for this moment. If you're ever struggling to find a purpose in life, having a child can quickly give you direction.