Preparing me for baby

I've been thinking about this for awhile now, and realized that the dogs have been doing a very good job preparing me for life with a baby. Obviously, a baby will be much different, especially since I can't just put him outside if he's getting on my nerves, but here are a few things I've already experienced:

1. Getting up a lot at night. This was especially true when they were puppies and had to go to the bathroom every couple of hours, but even now, Shadow will wake me up at about midnight and sometimes at 3 or 4 a.m. to go out when Tom's at work.

2. Potty Training/cleaning up poop. When we first got the dogs, they obviously weren't housebroken and we had to invest in a carpet cleaner due to some bad cases of diarrhea. In fact, I'm looking forward to at least having everything contained in a diaper (aside from the occasional blowout).

3. Interpreting cries/barks. Loki rarely barks, so it's pretty easy to guess what's going on when he does. But Shadow talks a lot and he expects action. So then it's time to figure out if he's hungry, needs to go outside, or is just bored. And sometimes he just starts barking/whining when he's tired (again, like a kid).

4. Picky eating. We just got new food for them that has the regular kibbles as well as pieces of meat. Well, the dogs now just push the kibble bits around, eat all the meat and then want more. I've actually found myself saying "no more until you finish what's in your bowl."

5. Lots of love. Of course I have to end on a sappy note.

Sorry for the lack of baby-related posts. Not much is going on other than my belly is getting bigger and he's kicking away. Luckily, he's very considerate and doesn't kick too much while I'm trying to sleep (or if he does, i don't feel it). But aside from that, it's pretty much the same routine. :)