For all moms who are reading this book, I know you lovingly remember the birth of each of your children, and although each birth experience was different, they all had one thing in common: Your baby boy or girl was being added to your family, as well as the larger human family, mainly because of you.

If this is your first pregnancy, congratulations! During this special time in the lives of both the baby and you (other family members too, of course) it is so  important to capture as many memories as possible.

This is definitely a time of bonding with your baby, the time to prepare yourself in every way to welcome your little darling into this big, wide complex  world.

Viewing your pregnancy from this perspective can be frightening indeed, because no matter how you try, you cannot shield your baby from everything in this world, but you can prepare him or her to successfully meet all of life's challenges.

During your pregnancy is an excellent time to begin journaling, if you don't do so already.                   

You could use this time to express your great hopes and dreams for your baby; it would also be helpful to journal about the fears and reservations you may  have. Be completely open about what you feel you can and cannot do for your expected bundle of joy.

Through journaling during this special time in your life, you can gain needed insight as well as convictions about how you and your spouse (or significant other) plan to raise your little one. Do not be afraid to be open about your doubts and fears, but don't let them hinder you from being ecstatic about what is happening in your life.

Journaling can be such a rewarding experience for you during this time; please use it. Allow journaling to be the bridge that forges and strengthens that bond that will last forever between you and your baby.
It can be  one of the things you turn to again and again as your baby grows into a strong, healthy, and productive member of your family and society as a whole.

Here in a simple, practical way, you can begin the legacy you want to give your child. 
Use the journaling time during your pregnancy to identify everything you desire for  your child: Include all of your hopes, dreams, values, and other expectations. 
And when the time is right, you will know it ; share the journal entries with your child so that the bond between you can grow even stronger.

Whether you're having your first baby or your last, journaling during your pregnancy can be the one thing that you and your child can share for a life time.

"There are only two lasting bequests we can                  
hope to give our children.
One of these is roots; the other, wings". Hodding Carter

Questions at the end of most chapters are designed to be used as springboards to the journaling process.

New Moms (and Moms to be)       
1. Are you talking to and interacting with experienced moms whose hopes and expectations for their children are similar to your own?
2. How are you preserving the great moments in your life now as you await the arrival of  your baby?

Seasoned Moms
1.What did you do to create a special bond with each of your children?               
2. What advice and support do you have for (have you given)new moms or moms to be whom you know?