Andrew was just born July 18. As a PhD student, I research everything and parenthood was no exception. I read books, took classes, and did my homework. I had a plan. I was ready to be a parent. Not just any parent - a really good parent.

Surprisingly, my water broke a week early and any semblance of a plan disappeared. No research prepared me for my son's tongue tie, heart murmur, or smile. Despite my best efforts to prepare or perhaps in spite of them, my son taught me that being unprepared creates the joy, excitement, and sheer terror of being a parent - and a good one at that.