"I'll try not to hit a tree on the way home" were the first words Dad said. Mom was raving mad, and my step-mother simply said, "I saw it coming." The rest of my family just shook their heads at news of the baby. It's funny how the initial reactions of my family would change so much after the birth. Telling them had seemed harder than facing the fact I was to be a father. After telling them, however, the reality of bringing a life into the world sat in.
             I knew my life was going from care free to having a family, and I was going to have to change. Everyone kept asking me how I was going to raise a child and support it; I was given little confidence succeeding. I felt that I had every confidence needed, I was a smart young man, and knew I was capable of whatever I put my mind too. So, I put the negativity aside. I welcomed responsibility as I took on a family and started planning for my future. My outlook changed from what was going to happen next week, to how I was going to plan the next eighteen years. I was preparing for this new life with my family.
             As the birth drew ever closer, I got myself a better job, moved to a better house, and started building a new life and noticed things were changing for the better. My family became more helpful, offering advise and assistance every chance they had. Everyone seemed to have something for us and especially for the baby. Some family asked us what we needed for the baby; others took it upon themselves to decide. Assurance started growing that I could do this. I was getting not only my life together, but my priorities straight. My father who once had little confidence now had great confidence in seeing how I was bettering myself and my life. My mother was not as irate as she was in the beginning. She seemed to be softening to the idea of being a grandmother. My step-mother was looking forward to having a new baby around to spoil.
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