Hi, Ed! Thank you for sharing your experience! Bringing up three children - this is really cool!)) In Russia, it is believed that after 30 years to give birth to the first-born is too late. But I'm sure that's not true. How it is never too late to start doing something interesting. For example, to learn the language, in spite of the unfortunate that you didn't do it before, when the "brain was fresh" (sorry, I don't know how to express "my brain used to function much better when I was younger". Is there fit idiom?). Thank you for your advice! It's so wonderful - to feel supported and caring of an distant people :)

Привет, Елена! Your English is already quite good and will improve with practice. You already know enough to read articles and converse in English. I agree with much of what my Brazilian friend has posted. You are your daughter's first provider, protector, and teacher. Children grow up very fast (I'm sure they say that in Russia, too) and you will be able to hear your daughter's first words and watch her take her first steps. Children are on their own schedule, in spite of what "experts" say, so be patient and enjoy the experience of raising your daughter. I have been teaching for over 20 years, and I can tell you that how children are raised at home is the most important factor in how they deal with life as adults. We have three boys, our first was born when my wife was 33, and now the youngest is almost 18. As for English, you can read English children's books to your daughter later, and talk or sing to her in English when you bring her home. She will have the advantage of learning the beautiful Russian language from her own mother. I wish you well and pray God grants you a safe delivery.

Hi, Anderson! I am so grateful to you for your response and advice! You know, I stay home all day alone wrapping my mind around different things, including total rubbish frequently. Well, my daughter is about to keep me company, she won't allow me to reflex so much, he-he :) I agree with you - I shouldn't set myself to do a super-tasks. I am going to enjoy this time as much as possible. Hoping I'll be able to keep up my English skills and maybe even improve them. Time runs fast, and I imagine, my knowledge will be useful for cultivating my baby's capabilities soon. Thank you for your kind words, they really mean a lot to me!

Hi, Elena! Congratulations! I wish all the best for your little daughter, you and your husband! I've never had children :P, but recently I've visited my brother's wife, and she has a newborn baby (Detail: she's your age). So I'll give you some advices about what she said and what I think is the best for you. Well, newborn babies give a lot of work to mothers. You know, It's a stressful routine, but amazing at the same time. Until then you already know. About your question, I believe you can learn english during this time, but not intensive learning. Like I said, it's going to be stressful sometimes. Though your girl sleeping most of the time, she will wake up at unpredictable times, interrupting your activities. Based on this, I don't advise you to learn intensively. Spend that time you have to take care of you and your sweet girl. You need to relax. Watch some english-language movies or read articles, books or listen to english songs of your interest. Keep your hobby, just don't overdo it. If you feel fear or anxiety, don't worry. You'll learn everything naturally about how to assimilate your life with your daughter. She will be part of you. Babies have a lot to teach mothers and just keep in mind that it will be a tiring routine sometimes. Over time the situation reverses. You will have to be boring with your daughter when she gets older haha. I think that's what I can say. Besides, I can't say anything else because I've never been a father and I'll never be a woman. Maybe what I said was already fact for you, but I hope I have helped in some aspect of the subject. Thanks for the attention! I wish you the best! Enjoy that moment! (Sorry if there are any grammatical errors).