Thanks, that is definitely going to be a big change for me. I am use to going and doing all of the time. I did at least talk my wife into letting me go to Atlantic City in June for a 2 day Metallica festival with some friends. That went over much better than expected.

Here is a question, what monitors did you go with? (Sorry, I'm sure it is in here somewhere already) I bought the Sony Babycall unit on Amazon for $31.99. It got the best reviews for the simple analog units. Is 1 unit normally enough?

2/21/2012 9:13:27 AM

You're going to be super paranoid, it's understandable. For our first we had just a single monitor. I forget the brand but it was one you could pick up off the base and set someplace else for when you sleep the baby in a crib or swing downstairs so one was fine.

This baby we ended up getting a video monitor and I have to say it's been great because you can easily see whether he's just tossing and turning or is sitting up ready to go. It's definitely not necessary.

1'll probably do you fine. You'll be so paranoid that you'd probably be fine with 0.

2/21/2012 9:45:46 AM

two kids. never actually used a baby monitor.

2/21/2012 2:17:26 PM

We have the babycall monitor - it's pretty good for the price.

BUT we never use it. He's less then 20 feet away in his room and I can hear him immediately when he starts crying.

2/21/2012 7:15:39 PM

I think it is funny there is a brand of maternity clothes called HOTMilk.

2/23/2012 1:40:12 PM

^oh man i'm disappointed i thought they were going to have pants & stuff but it's just lingerie/bras.

2/23/2012 3:46:45 PM

73...are you part of zulily and totsy online?...you will find some good pregnancy stuff on sale with those discount places.

2/23/2012 5:29:54 PM

zulily yes, i'll look up the other. i almost ordered something from zulily yesterday but it said no returns

2/23/2012 8:01:03 PM

have any of you looked into/received the whooping cough vaccine? that commercial creeps me out.

2/24/2012 12:51:58 PM

No, but it is the one vaccine that my son's immunologist recommends to all of the parents because most adults aren't adequately protected against pertussis.

2/24/2012 2:03:47 PM

My husband and I both got it after buddy was born by recommendation of our pediatrician and our primary physician.

2/24/2012 2:14:04 PM

I am supposed to this thing too.

For all the soon to be dads out there, isn't it cool when the wife is cuddled up around your back at night and the little baby inside wakes YOU up with all of the kicking and moving that he is doing in the belly?

2/24/2012 4:56:27 PM

Quote :

"The woman is taking a pregnancy test when she gets back from Hawaii this Sunday. I am scared and excited at the same time. If she is...I hope it takes after her. Would be nice to get some Samoan in my gene pool."

and she's not. good and bad I guess..she is in Dental school and I'm about to switch jobs in a year and change...so it would have been bad timing I guess?

oh wells.

2/24/2012 7:05:46 PM

Never good timing.

Always good to get some Samoan in your gene pool.

2/25/2012 12:58:29 PM

Yeah, they are born with football scholarships.

I am done with work travel for awhile and we have the nursery set up and car seats ready to go. Not due til March 31st but we are ready. Can't wait to meet this little guy!

2/27/2012 2:14:29 PM

we opted out of the CF test & the other tests that i can't remember their names right now...mainly bc we'd still have the baby regardless. anyway, just got an email from 23andme (dna testing thing we were already doing last year) saying neither chris nor i carry 31 of the most common CF mutations. awesome

2/29/2012 9:29:04 AM

Your husband is Asian, right? That helps your chances of having a CF child tremendously to begin with

The thing I highly suggest people make sure not to turn down is the newborn screening

[Edited on February 29, 2012 at 4:01 PM. Reason : And of course the serum screening is always a good thing]

2/29/2012 4:00:49 PM

yeah another part of why we opted out of CF screening specifically is bc he's asian. the doctor said it wasn't a concern at all really. it was just funny that 23andme happened to release test results on it today.

yeah we'll do whatever newborn screening stuff they do.

2/29/2012 4:18:14 PM

So, I have a question that I am embarrassed to ask our doctor: Does the vagina go back to normal after a natural birth?

3/2/2012 10:01:28 AM

no it stays as wide open as the baby's shoulders...

come on man

3/2/2012 10:27:25 AM

seriously? you don't know how to just Google that one?

3/2/2012 11:15:03 AM

make sure the doctor gives her the "courtesy stitch"

3/2/2012 11:49:50 AM

I trust TWW more than google.

3/2/2012 5:38:14 PM

I don't know why anyone would be embarrassed to ask their doctor things about their body. If you can't ask a doctor, who the fuck can you ask?

3/2/2012 5:40:21 PM

Come on, it is basically me going " so is the vagina gonna stay tight or what?" right in front of her. Can't do that.

Quote :

"make sure the doctor gives her the "courtesy stitch""

I think that we would get along just fine IRL

[Edited on March 2, 2012 at 5:45 PM. Reason : df]

3/2/2012 5:41:59 PM

3/2/2012 8:23:50 PM

^^ You really don't think they get asked that regularly? I'm sure her doctor has heard much more bizarre questions than that during their medical career. As far as your wife having a problem with that question, tell her to stop being a prude

3/3/2012 9:16:48 AM

trust me, your wife is probably just as worried about the integrity of her lady bits as you are. however, she's probably used Google.

3/3/2012 9:25:09 AM

but FYI, she might not be as naturally lubricated as usual due to hormones (esp if she's breastfeeding) so invest in the KY and really put in the foreplay effort. She just pushed a baby out of there...it may take a bit to get comfortable with putting something up it.

3/3/2012 9:55:39 AM

speaking of lady bits... how far into pregnancy is sex appropriate?

3/3/2012 1:59:09 PM

As long as your doctor has not advised against it and your lady feels up to it, you can have sex right up until she goes into labor. Because sex can jump start labor, doctors will advise against it in certain situations, but they may also recommend getting busy if the little one is over staying his welcome.

3/3/2012 2:32:59 PM

^ yeah we got the same info from the doctor. She told us to get busy because we are running late.

Little does she know our sex life has been dead for years. I actually know the exact date the child was conceived because it was the only day that we had sex that month.

[Edited on March 3, 2012 at 3:32 PM. Reason : df]

3/3/2012 3:31:33 PM

3/3/2012 3:50:34 PM

Don't feel bad. It was pretty much the same for us with both of our kids.

3/3/2012 4:04:26 PM

^ & ^^^

My wife is at the doctor now and they say that her blood pressure is high. Waiting to find out what they recommend. She is Due Mar. 31. She is hoping to continue working as long as possible so she can use most of her 12 weeks after birth.

Edit: Found out she has to stay home for work and be on moderate bed rest

[Edited on March 6, 2012 at 2:12 PM. Reason : .]

3/6/2012 2:01:26 PM

BanjoMan, has that baby come yet? i remember you were worried about him being late back in mid february or so...

3/6/2012 3:55:42 PM

Quote :

"speaking of lady bits... how far into pregnancy is sex appropriate?"

as long as the doc says it's ok and she can go...GO TO THE END!!!!111

3/6/2012 7:28:33 PM

Quote :

"Yeah, they are born with football scholarships."

exaaaactly

3/7/2012 12:03:34 AM

Good luck scottieB! Listen to the doc...my blood pressure was out of control last time and I was delivered early.


Anywho......3rd trimester here I come Maybe I should start planning for the baby.

3/7/2012 7:09:30 PM

we had an ultrasound today (would be the one where you find out the sex, but we don't want to know). healthy, VERY SUPER active baby. it was making things very difficult for the tech but it was funny to me. when she moved down to get a shot of the legs, the baby straightened its legs super fast & put its hand over its crotch (see first pic). LOL good baby!





[Edited on March 7, 2012 at 7:45 PM. Reason : ]

3/7/2012 7:44:55 PM

^haha! that is funny!

3/7/2012 8:34:52 PM

Beautiful

3/7/2012 11:01:01 PM

those of you who have recently had a baby, what kinds of things did you register for & where? i keep putting it off bc i feel like there's a lot i don't know about what i will need vs what's not really necessary. any checklists you found online that you liked/agreed with? everybody has such different opinions on what's required. i don't want a lot of extra crap we just won't need and we don't have room in the house for lots of extra crap either.

things i know that are being given to me: breast pump, car seat, crib

3/8/2012 10:54:06 AM

We haven't had one yet but here is our registry number for Babies R US and link for Target if you want to look at what we registered for

Babies R US #47743233
Toys R US http://www.target.com/baby/registry/fPhnE9XEFMYxM_4FNV2sYg

3/8/2012 11:19:52 AM

aside from what you've already got i'd add.

diapers and wipes...whatever route you decide (cloth or disposable). register for them.

pump accessories, but IMO don't get a box that has it all--the bottle & bag storage, extra shields, valves, etc. after a few months i found a larger shield was better so while having all the bottle storage & valves were nice, i now have too many shields that don't fit me. so register for those separately.

either a bouncy seat, swing w/ detachable bouncer or a rock n play (i think that's what it's called--everyone raves about it in here and the other thread). we didn't register for a swing, but found out he loved one in the hospital when we sent him to the nursery. i said no paci, and the swing was the only thing that would calm him down (a sign of things to come!). they make swings where you can detach the seat and it's a bouncy...so we ended up with two bouncers that way (but he loved them).

diaper changing pad, but IMO i think the changing pad covers are a waste. yeah it makes it look better, but ours kept sliding off and it was just one more thing to launder. i just wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe. a dresser works well for a changing table. you don't need an actual changing table.

first aid & bath: thermometer, nail clippers, vaseline, baby powder, hair/body soap, lotion or baby oil, lanolin. the aspirator the hospital gives you will be the BEST aspirator. take as many as you can get (we snagged 3).

4-6 crib sheets and 2 or 3 mattress covers. you don't need a crib bumper, they are actually frowned upon, but if you do get one the breathable ones are good (we got one)

a simple pack n play (you don't need the fancy one w/ bells and whistles) to use for travel or in the beginning in your room for co-sleeping versus using a bassinet, but don't get the pack n play sheets (they don't fit well). waste.

play/activity mat.

tons of bibs, burp cloths, & LARGE receiving/swaddling blankets. the muslin swaddling blankets are soooo soft and very large for some good swaddling or just using in general.

swaddle sacks

an infant carrier

a comfortable rocker or glider with a foot stool or ottoman.

boppy or brest friend. i had both, and preferred the boppy.

infant/newborn tub.

an infant bottle set (even if you plan to breastfeed--mom you gotta get out eventually!). we use dr brown's and like them a lot.

a good diaper bag/bag/backpack.

also...you'll see people that say wash everything before the baby arrives. and while i agree...do NOT wash EVERY clothing item. wash ONE or TWO of each style until you find out what you prefer. we had all these PJs (the gowns, snap jammies and zip ups) for an infant to three months and i washed em all. we found that in july sleeping in a diaper and a snap T shirt (we called him chef shirts, heh) and swaddle sack was perfect. so now i have all of these newborn jammies that he never wore. i've saved em for the next one in case we have a winter baby, but i have a feeling i'll end up handing them down or selling them.

most of the other gear or toys we bought ourselves as he reached that milestone either new, craigslist/consignment, or they were hand-me-downs. of those...the kelty, jumper, walker, and leap frog table have been worth every penny and have replaced the infant items. especially that darn leap frog table. holy cow. we also got baby proofing items (and we haven't proofed EVERYTHING--just the sockets, tall furniture items and doors to outside) once he became mobile instead of registering for them. that was a pretty penny...so if you want to register for it now just to have some on hand then i'd do it.

[Edited on March 8, 2012 at 12:28 PM. Reason : ]

3/8/2012 12:10:10 PM

we are 8 weeks away! exciting and scary!

3/8/2012 12:27:02 PM

^^^thank you!

^^AWESOME LIST!!! and very awesome tips

questions: does a diaper bag HAVE to be a diaper bag? i have a timbuk2 tote that's the same size as most diaper bags, waterproof lining, mesh pocket for drink/bottle, other little pockets inside...will this work?

specific recommendations on the infant tub? i've seen plastic tubs that look like chairs, some that look like tubs, mesh seats you put in a real tub, and foam things you use to bathe them in the sink. which do you think is best/easiest?

what about diaper pails? we're going to cloth diaper & i've seen people online who use water pails, dry pails, and other weird contraptions. back in the day, mom used a water pail with me & the dog knocked it over, spilling sewage all over the floor...so that has me kinda worried lol

baby towels & washclothes: are these items that are just labeled for baby use & marked up in price? will regular ones not do/too harsh?

i've been rocking my whole life, so i've got the rocking chair thing covered. there are 3 in my house right now we're not getting any other furniture than the crib. the spare bedroom/baby room already has a full suite of stuff. actually we're putting the chest of drawers at my parents' house bc there's no room for a crib right now. the dresser we plan on using as a dresser & for changing diapers.

3/8/2012 1:42:42 PM

any will do it doesn't have to be a diaper bag.

I have an infant tub but it takes up a lot of space. we don't really use it. I recommend a foam inserts for the sink. a lot of friends are raving about the blooming bath but it seems expensive.

I don't use a diaper pail. I just use a wet bag.

any towels and washcloths will do.

3/8/2012 2:03:15 PM

definitely does not have to be a diaper bag. i got a holly aiken diaper bag (local bag designer) b/c i love her bags, but i only use it on over night trips or long days away from home now. i'm much more likely to shove what i need in my oversized purse now that he's older and i need a lot less stuff to just go to the grocery store or story time at the library (which after those first few trips out you'll figure out what you really need and want when you do go places). i think the key is something you can wipe down and has good storage pockets.

we got this tub http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Comfort-Newborn-Toddler/dp/B002PK93HY and the mesh removes once that umbilical cord stump falls off and you can give a real bath. it has grooves so we sit it on the bridge of our kitchen sink which is a great height. it is big and awkward to store though.

regular wash cloths are fine, but we do love using the washcloth glove that's a crab or duck shaped, heh. hooded towels are nice cause it does make keeping the head warm post bath, but again not necessary. a regular towel snuggled up over that head will be fine.

we don't cloth diaper, but i love wet bags just for putting nasty bibs, burp cloths, or clothes in when we're out.

since you have a rocker...definitely get a foot stool. for breastfeeding, a stool i had forever and ever became my best friend aside from a big water bottle, snacks and my boppy.

3/8/2012 2:14:24 PM

we have the same tub and used it with both kids. it's just bulky. i keep it in our double shower now and sometimes take the baby in with me, but Silas usually fills it with water during his shower and plays action figures more than anything else. i mostly bathe the baby with a cheap foam insert in the sink because it is easier than dealing with that tub. but if you get a tub that one is awesome.

3/8/2012 2:40:29 PM