> Before having kids, I expected it to be this huge life changing thing. That it would effectively end the part of my life where I was free to do whatever I wanted, and start the part where I was just Daddy, doing nothing except serving my childrens' needs.

Had a very similar feeling. When my wife told me the "getting pregnant" worked I mourned a little bit. I recognize we were exceedingly lucky to have had such a wonderful kid, and it has worked out very well.

For the first 6 mos. a lot did change, but after that things seemed to skew back to a new "normal".

It will be 13 years in May since we had our daughter. I'm so glad we did it.

I know that it could have gone a lot differently, though. I'd never suggest that it'll be great for everybody.