They said this would happen. They said everything would change once our child was here. Now that our son is seven months old, I see what you all were talking about. I kind of fought this going in – thinking like I swore I wouldn't when I was younger, that change is bad and scary. Then I took a good, long look at the Good Doctor and realized that if he did indeed change when his beautiful girls were born, it was probably for the better, because today he is whacked-out – like he has bird flu. So, I started thinking about some of the recent oddities in my life – these are things that the 10-year-ago Greg would never believe:

1. My friend Pete relays to me – with great enthusiasm – a story about his two-year-old daughter, who learned last to stand up in her crib last night and do her projectile vomiting on the floor of her room, rather than in her bed. “This is a huge milestone,” exclaims the proud papa, Pete. I think about this for the rest of the day – envisioning the event, and marveling at his daughter's ability to know not to soil her bed with upchuck. It's amazing. 10 years ago, I would have laughed for a minute, reminded myself that I don't want children (by cocking my head slightly, staring off in the distance with a big grin on my face, exhaling cigar smoke), and then resumed drinking Singapore Slings at 40th Street Grill.

2. A billboard of a premature baby – so small it fits in a care-giver's hand like a gerbil – nearly brings me to tears on my way to work. My memory floods with images of our son, who was born with a huge birthmark on his face and head, and the fears we had for his safety were suffocating. 10 years ago, I would have overlooked the billboard, intent on driving to the Dog Track, to meet my drinking buddies.

3. While driving down Lafayette to a photo-shoot one day, I see some kids at the local school, picking on a little red-head in the corner of the schoolyard. I drive over into the oncoming lane and stop my car near the activity. A good, long, mean stare does the trick – the children disperse and the little red-head runs off to play with someone else. Seeing my son and myself in him, I worry about this little guy for the rest of the day. 10 years ago, I would have pulled out the camera and taken action shots of the beating he was about to receive. Maybe.

4. A few months ago, I opened a savings account for my infant son. I now scour the Wall Street Journal for information on 529 college savings plans, and clip many of the articles. I wonder if he'll want to go to Princeton or USC, U of A or SCC, and how much all of that is going to cost in 18 years. I deposit a little from each paycheck into his account, and wonder how many Frat parties he's going to get trashed at after I give him a check for food. 10 years ago, I would have used the Wall Street Journal to sop up spilled margaritas in my apartment.

They said change would happen – but I didn't believe them. I thought I would be the same guy I was ten years ago. It's funny how a little guy so short and so small, can change your entire basis of thinking, and your entire style of living. While the missus has had an enormous impact, the little chief has indeed changed everything.