Dads, it’s true – having a plethora of information and knowledge will help pave the way to your successful role as a daddy! And these days, it’s easy as there are ample resources available to help mommies and daddies-to-be understand what to expect along the road ahead.

There were three resources I used to prepare for my role as a dad and trust me, I’m so glad I did. Want to know how you can get ready for baby’s arrival?

1. Study the Books — Hard!

As an expectant daddy, it’s hard to feel like you play a big role in baby’s life — after all, your wife is growing your baby inside of her, and you have just been doing your part, doing exactly as you’re told. But you can read up! Buy a book that helps you understand exactly what changes are taking place in your wife’s body (both physically and emotionally!). Sometimes it’s easier to understand just the facts. And, there are so many books available that have been written specifically for dads-to-be! 9 months will fly by like the blink of an eye, and you want to be as prepared as possible.

2. Take the Classes (and Learn to Like Them!)

If you’re into the second trimester of your wife’s pregnancy (or planning ahead), try taking birth and newborn education programs. If you’re expecting your first, then the educational classes will help you realize you are not alone — other soon-to-be dads will be there, too! And if you have friends who are expecting, it might be a fun thing to do together. And don’t dread the class, either. If you go into it open minded, the class can be fun, entertaining and most importantly, informative. My wife and I took an all day seminar together.  The class is entertaining, informative, and actually fun! I

3. Research (All!) the Details

Take a visit to the hospital you and your wife have chosen to have the baby in — it’s worth it, I swear. We just had our third baby and even though I’d been through this two other times, I still had trouble remembering all the hallways and doorways to get to Labor and Delivery. The last thing you could ever want is to be late for baby’s arrival! So, look into a hospital or birthing center tour. Maybe even meet the nurses. Once your wife is in labor and you’re headed to the hospital, you’ll be glad you took that birthing center tour after all.

How did you prepare for baby’s arrival?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Most Terrifying Talk You Need to Have Before Baby Arrives

Top 10 New Dad Fears (and Why You Shouldn’t Worry)

Secret Thoughts of Newbie Dads

There are really no words for this. Honestly, I tried to find them … and nothing — absolutely nothing – fit the bill to describe this adorable, super cute, oh-my-goodness-I-can’t-handle-the-cuteness little guy. I mean come on! how creative are his parents to think up something this original?! Hats off to them!

Do your cheeks hurt from smiling?

We want to hear from you! Tweet us @TheBump using #TBcutebaby or send us an email directly at community@thebump.com to be featured in our Cute Baby of the Day series! We want to see your tot at his/her wackiest, craziest, fussiest and most adorable moments. Make sure you tell us baby’s name, too. We can’t wait to hear from you!

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While some may pleasantly call it “nesting”, nesting seems anything but pleasant at times. In fact, it can feel more like chaos. Warning, dads: Be prepared for some major changes.

What type of changes, you ask? Well, you know that sink faucet that has been dripping since you purchased your home? That dripping may soon become the LOUDEST sound in the world and must be fixed RIGHT THIS INSTANT because it might wake up baby. Everywhere you and your wife will look you’ll be thinking about how and what will to change and fix to make things easier when baby arrives.

As a husband and expectant daddy, I say, just go get the tools, and start oiling the hinges, tightening the screws, replacing light bulbs. Do whatever you can to help get the house in order. Additionally, it can help to sit down with your wife and make a list of all the things that need “fixing” in the next nine months — then, as soon as you have a list, get to work. Nine months will pass by like the blink of an eye.

The best you can do as a new daddy-to-be is to just go along for the ride. We recently welcomed our third baby, our daughter Tessa, into the world and we went through the nesting process all over again. (See, nesting never ends!) Of course it helped that I had already fixed the leaky faucet and the creaky garage door during the nesting period prior to our two son’s arrivals; however, there was still plenty to accomplish.

During my wife’s first pregnancy, she wanted to have the nursery painted during her nesting phase. We set it all up and shortly after the painters arrived we had to call-off the painting project as the smell was bothering my wife. This time around, we used special paint and booked a hotel for a couple of nights while the room was painted and the paint dried – it was a much smoother transition, and the nursery looks great, too.

Along with the cleaning the house for baby, nesting also includes getting your finances in order, buying gear and necessities for the new baby, and going to unlimited baby and pregnancy classes. Like I said in the beginning, nesting is not always pleasant, but it’s an important stage for both expectant mommy and daddy.

Be patient and tackle projects as you’re able to.

Does your partner’s nesting drive you crazy? Do you like getting ready for baby?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Should I Be Nesting?

Stuff We Love: PetitNest

Nursery Inspiration You’ll LOVE!

“There is an art to being a daddy, just as there is to being a husband, sometimes they are the same, and other times they must be treated completely separate.”

When you find out your wife is pregnant it’s time to kick it into high gear and start learning the balance between being the daddy and the husband; I call it “trutina,” which is Latin for balance.

I want to lay it all out for all of you expectant daddies: What do you need to know, and how can you keep the balance during the process of pregnancy and beyond?

Although the first day you discover your wife is pregnant, she may not look any different to you, I can guarantee you her hormones are already starting to run on overdrive, and internally, her body is changing at an alarming pace, so be patient as she will likely feel very different, and as her husband it’s your duty to experience all of these new things right by her side.

Make sure to remind yourself at all times to be engaged and to listen; do not be pre-occupied: put down the cell phone, the iPod, the newspaper, and realize that even though you feel the same, your wife will be undergoing dramatic changes. She will experience simultaneous emotions of fear, happiness, sadness, and security. Do not be surprised if she starts talking about savings accounts, life insurance, living wills, etc. Your job, as husband and expectant daddy, is to just jump right in, and help get the ball rolling on each of these tasks. I suggest making lists and figuring out how you can accomplish something off the list every single day. Nine months may seem like a long time now, but trust me when I say it’ll go by in a blink of the eye.

If this is your first child, then you need to understand the “fear of the unknown” can sometimes be overwhelming. There are so many logistics to take into consideration, such as: Where will the baby sleep? Is the house clean enough? Do we have enough money? Should we move? What about college?  These thoughts are all good and healthy, and it is your job as the husband, to help step in and put the thoughts in order and begin addressing them with your wife to the best of your ability. Every concern is important and deserves thoughtful consideration from both you and your wife.

Remember the old saying, “A happy wife is a happy life”? Well during the next nine months, this saying is exponential. If she has a concern, show her you care immediately by addressing that concern however possible.

If I were to give husbands and expectant daddies everywhere a single piece of advice it would be to take everything one day at a time. There are sure to be difficult days as well as wonderful days. It takes time to transition from husband to daddy, and you’re going to have to learn the balance there in-between. Enjoy all of the special and unique experiences that come with pregnancy, and  with a bit of hard work everything is sure to fall into place — just be confident.

What advice would you give to an expectant dad?