Looking forward to fatherhood

MONTREAL - Parenthood is just around the corner for Andrew and Chaunette Shaw.

With Chaunette due to give birth to the couple's first child on July 4, the countdown to Baby Shaw's arrival is officially on - and the pair couldn't be more excited.
"To have a new baby girl in our lives, it's something we've been waiting for and wanting for a while," said the seven-year NHL veteran, who revealed on his Instagram account -
@shawz65
- that his wife was pregnant on New Year's Day. "We wanted to get married and have kids... We've got all the baby stuff put away and ready. It's just a waiting game."
Tweet from @Chaunetteb: Sneak peak of our maternity pictures �� The countdown for Baby Shaw is on ������ #inlove #cantwait #mommytobe #daddytobe #babyS pic.twitter.com/iwXJee52hd
Baby Shaw will be born in the two-time Stanley Cup champion's hometown of Belleville, ON, where the couple is currently residing for the offseason.
"I was born in Belleville General Hospital, and we just thought it would be cute if she was born here as well and grew up in the same town that I did," explained Shaw. "Being back and forth with Montreal, I think it's going to be the best because both of our families are here as well. Having her in Belleville just suits everybody a little bit better."
Right now, Andrew and Chaunette are living with his parents while their brand new home is being built nearby. It's a perfect situation for the young mom-to-be, with Andrew's mother, Darlene, lending a helping hand. Andrew, of course, is still on crutches for at least one more week after undergoing left knee surgery in late April.
"Chaunette would say that my mom has been a massive help, helping with the cleaning and the laundry. It's been harder for me to help out around the house," shared Shaw. "But, with having my mom here, she's retired. She's been making sure that Chaunette is always looked after and resting as well."

As for Baby Shaw's name, Andrew and Chaunette have narrowed the list down to just three possibilities.
"We're stuck on three names, but it's going to be a surprise," mentioned the 26-year-old right-winger. "When she comes out, it's going to be - "She looks like a…." A name will suit her more once she's born."
While their first-born's name is still uncertain, the couple's readiness to assume their parental duties isn't. They've essentially spent the last two-plus years preparing for this moment by spending as much quality time as possible with their young nephew, William, learning as they go, so to speak.
"I think it's going to be a big help. We've babysat him, we've taken care of him and we've even had him overnight. It's a lot of fun. To watch him grow and become his own person, it's pretty cool... Becoming a dad, I think I've been ready for it for a long time. I'm ready for the next step in my life," affirmed Shaw. "Just watching Chaunette with William, I think just the experience I've been through, I'll be able to handle myself. But, I haven't changed a diaper yet. That will be new for me."
It won't be long before Chaunette will be bringing Baby Shaw to the Bell Centre to check out pre-game warmups from ice level, according to the Habs' forward. It's one of the many things Shaw has been looking forward to about fatherhood.

"We bought her ear muffs already so she can fall asleep if she needs to and not be frightened by any noises. Having her down by the glass in warmup, for her to recognize me, it's going to be awesome," said Shaw, who was first introduced to the tradition in Chicago. "When I was with the Blackhawks, we called it "Kiddie Corner" and all the kids would be there. It's the same in Montreal, having Liv [Price], Boyd [Petry], the Paciorettys, the Byrons, the Webers. I can't wait to be a part of that as well."
In the meantime, Baby Shaw will be inspiring her proud papa during his ongoing rehab effort to return to the Canadiens' lineup in the fall.
"Not being able to walk for the last two months, and missing out on half the season, this is just going to be a fresh, new thing in my life. It will give me new energy and bring me back to life a little bit," affirmed Shaw, who expects to return to Montreal with his newborn in late August. "I've got another person to take care of, so I've got to work hard, do what I need to do, and show her that hard work pays off so when she's older she'll do the same thing."