Your new baby’s first goo-goos and gaa-gaas will be precious, though maybe a bit difficult to translate. If it's been awhile since you were fluent in baby talk, sign up for our free e-newsletter, happily named BabyTalk that specializes in your language. Each week the stork will drop a message in your inbox with information personalized to the stage of your pregnancy or the age of your child. From your pregnancy to delivery and through your toddler’s first three years, BabyTalk will confidently guide you through major milestones. We also encourage you to send it on to proud grandparents and excited friends so everybody can share in your baby’s development.

Along with BabyTalk, CarePages can also help you through this great life transition. CarePages is a free, online service that allows you to keep in touch with family and friends through your own private, secure and easy to use Web page. Update everyone through journal entries and photos, and they can respond back with congratulatory messages. (Wonder how long it will take for them to start debating whom the new baby looks the most like.) Trust us, Aunt Brenda, Cousin Tony and Neighbor Jana will all want to see you and the new baby as soon as possible, and with CarePages it will be on your timeline: a win-win situation! Start your CarePage here, before you even take off for the hospital.

“You are what you eat.” And now that you’re pregnant, your baby is what you eat, too. We advise soon-to-be moms to steer clear of raw fish (sorry, no sushi!) and soft cheeses. Fish contains mercury, which has been shown to cause developmental defects, and cheese carries the potential of salmonella and bacteria, neither of which are good for baby. Ready-to-eat deli meats with potential listeria will probably need replaced in the fridge with healthy protein, dairy, grains, fresh fruits, crisp veggies and foods with plenty of folic acid instead.

Speaking of food, this might be a great time to pull down your cookbook full of Mom’s old casserole recipes in order to whip up a few meals you can freeze now and thaw later, after the baby comes. In between feedings, you’ll surely have your own hunger pangs, and you will thank yourself for the freezer full of easy to prepare meals perfect for you and the rest of the family. Lasagna? Chicken-Potato casserole? Beef Stroganoff? Sounds like dinner’s ready, already.

Typically, an obstetrician takes care of you and the baby during your pregnancy, but soon enough your baby is going to need his or her very own doctor. You can research potential pediatricians by asking trustworthy friends and family about their experiences with area doctors. Plus, most offices give “meet and greets” so you can spend time talking with the staff and get to know those who would be helping you take such great care of your baby's healthcare needs.

Pediatrician, check. Parenting books, check. Baby name, check. And like most new parents, you’ve even visited the best Web sites, yet nothing quite prepares you like practice. Dupont can provide you with hands-on opportunities for moms, dads and even future big brothers and sisters. Our Preparing for Childbirth, Breastfeeding Basics, Getting to Know your Newborn, Big Brother/Big Sister-That’s Me!, and Dupont Dads 101 are all great classes that can provide your whole family with insider information for the new addition. Call (260) 416-3005 to register for any of the classes, which are all held here at Dupont Hospital.

Nesting—a mother’s urge to clean or organize before the baby comes—can be a great motivational force, especially when it comes to the new nursery. Go ahead and pick out decorations, bedding, furniture and even paint colors, but you should probably hand over the paintbrush to someone else. Chemicals in the paint could create some pretty funky fumes. Have Dad get involved in this project so he feels connected to the preparations for welcoming baby.

It’s amazing what those toddlers can get into, which is why baby-proofing the house is so important. Toddlers? You thought you’d be bringing home an infant! True, but you’ll have little time after the baby comes home to think about locking the cleaning cabinet or setting up baby gates. And now that you’ve got the nursery decorated, start early to build safe habits in your home and set the stage for an exploratory toddler. With every precaution already in place, you will have plenty of time to explore with and enjoy your (bigger) little one.

Never before have you been so excited to shop for pink and blue — or yellow, if it’s still a surprise — and those socks, onesies, bibs and blankets are happily overflowing from your shopping bags. While you shop till you drop look specifically for baby clothes that are convenient and free of choking hazards. You’ll want diaper changings and after-dinner cleanings to be as easy and comfortable as possible for both you and the baby so you can quickly move on to more important things, like cuddling.

And finally, take a deep breath and relax. While you’ll love caring for your new bundle of joy (even changing those dirty diapers), you probably won’t have many opportunities for mommy time after the birth. Relax now to prepare both your mind and body for the baby’s arrival. Prenatal massages or yoga will loosen muscles and clear your head. Or, you could take time for a facial and that book you’ve been waiting to read. Go ahead and indulge, you definitely deserve the downtime.