The Adventures of Baby Arthur

by Lincoln

As soon as we heard the news that Baby Arthur was on the way, I often sat frozen in thought wondering exactly what we were supposed to do to prepare and what we would need to buy. Articles upon articles found on Google just seemed to bring on more questions - what the heck are the rubber pants for??

Now that Baby Arthur is 6 months old, here is my no non-sense list of items we could not have done without. I will mention that we are urban dwellers from New York City, so our needs may be slightly different from a suburban family. This list focuses on item aside from the obvious diapers, bottles and cribs (some on that below).



1. Bottle Sterilizer: Add it to your registry, or buy one now. I can't imagine how life was for my parents, who had to boil the bottles in a pot to sterilize. Experts recommend you sterilize baby bottles up to a year to protect their delicate immune systems. We sterilize after every wash right before filling the bottle.

2. Bottle Warmer: No, you can't microwave the bottle out because the uneven heating in the milk and even the rubber may burn the baby. What a pain it must have been to heat bottles in boiling water over a stove!


3. Pod Bouncer: It's not just for the baby's entertainment. You'll also need somewhere to put the little bugger! Our Pod Bouncer has been Baby Arthur's chair for the last 6 months. He hasn't outgrown it yet. The baby may not be heavy but holding him all the time takes a toll. Liz needed a wrist support after 4 weeks. You can move it around and he can even sit by the dinner table.

4. Changing Table: Not a MUST, but if you have the space and the money, it's worth it. It's back-breaking to change diapers 10 times a day on a bed or couch. It also will provide additional storage space for baby items. Make sure to get the changing pad as well.


5. Baby Bjorn: Depends on where you live, but for urban dwellers that take mass transport all the time like ourselves, the Baby Bjorn has been essential. Walking up and down stairs all the time with a stroller is no fun. Baby Arthur got to feel snug, close and warm as if he was being carried in our arms. Taxi laws also allow the use of a Baby Bjorn as well, so you don't have to lug around a car seat.


6. Co-Sleeper: It's a portable sleeper that connects to your bed for the little one to sleep closer to you. I wouldn't call it a MUST for us because we only used this for about 1 month. Somehow, Baby Arthur preferred his crib in the other room! Buy one that converts into a play pen can provide some other function later. This item is purely for Mom - less walking at night to get to the baby, convenient for breastfeeding and psychological comfort from knowing that the little one is right next to you. Don't let him sleep in the bed with you! Aside from the safety issues, once the baby gets used to sleeping with you, it's going to be very difficult to get him off the habit.


7. Motorized Breast Pump: While I do feel a big strange mentioning this item, I cannot imagine having to use a hand pump for this task.

8. Video Baby Monitor: I wouldn't call this a MUST have, but I am sure glad we have one! It provides a psychological benefit to your being able to see him sleeping, just to make sure he's OK. Otherwise, a baby's scream is nearly as loud as a bulldozer (75-85 dB), so you're probably going to hear him just fine if he needs you.

Below is the "Yes of course you'll need" list that you've probably already read about on some other article already. It's by no means a comprehensive list, but these are the bare essentials:

1. Car Seat/Stroller: As a system together, or separate. You can't leave the hospital unless the baby is in a car seat.
2. Crib: We got one that also converts to a bed as Baby Arthur grows.
3. Bibs: ALOT of bibs. You may not need them for the first 2 or 3 months, but once he starts drooling and eating solid food, you will be going through alot of bibs. We must have at least 15 and it's still not enough.
4. Receiving Blankets: You'll need ALOT of these too! Good for swaddling, using, wiping, everything.
5. Bottles: You're going to be feeding the baby every 2-3 hours for awhile.
6.Baby Wash Clothes: You're going to be using alot of these to sponge bathe, wipe up messes, wash his face and more.
7. Diapers: Duh!
8. Hand mittens: You'll need these for the first month or your baby will keep scratching himself. After that, his hands should be left free so he can explore - even if it means the occasional scratch.
9. Onesies, pants, tops, socks etc.: Liz was already gushing about the cute little clothes, shoes and toys well before Baby Arthur was born. You're going to be getting so many of these as gifts, I wouldn't worry too much about these!
10. Baby Medical Kit: Thankfully, we've never had to use it, but we have one. It has a variety of baby medicines.

Closing Thoughts

This is probably a "duh" item too, but if you were thinking about buying a bigger place or renovating with the intent to have a child, but ended up getting pregnant first, then get moving!Your home needs to be ready before that baby pops out! The baby is going to wreak havoc even in the most prepared of households.

Don't worry, 9 months is a long time. As soon as we found out about Baby Arthur, I started a major renovation to my apartment within weeks in order to convert it from a bachelor-pad to a nice family-oriented home with a nursery and all. Murphy struck and this effort lasted all the way to within 2 weeks before Baby Arthur came out, so start as soon as you can! I mention this because a good friend of mine did not plan and ended up moving when the baby was only one month old. Their place was too small and the baby was sleeping next to an air vent. I can't fathom what it must have been like to have to find a place, pack, move and unpack, all with a 1-month old infant in tow while recovering from the physical ordeal of child birth.

I hope this list helps you a little. The Internet is a wonderful resource for information so definitely keep researching, do price shopping and enjoy the experience!

Labels: infant, parenting

Source:http://www.wrybaby.com/fun_gifts.aspx

by Lincoln

Read more on Man Showers on Squidoo and eHow!

Liz's baby shower was on a sweltering hot 102 degree July afternoon with sickening humidity. It was not a coed shower. While all the fancily dressed ladies were having a lovely time, I was stuck with the unenviable task of hauling the take back to the apartment, alone. The shower was planned at a restaurant on the same block as my apartment. While this initially seemed like a good idea, after about 9 trips back and forth from the restaurant, up the stairs, back down again, all through the 102 degree heat, I could only think one thing: THIS BLOWS.

As the sweat was pouring down my face and drenching my shirt, the baby shower was coming to an end. Upon observing my laborious task, the ladies obviously neither offered to help nor did they even open the door for me (lest they let any of the cool A/C air out). Of course not! All I got were a few pat on the backs (I hope that sweat leaves a smell!!), laughs at my expense, "hey work faster" comments and giggles. UGH!

Of course I appreciated all the gifts we received as well as the efforts of everyone who planned. Liz had a great time and it was a beautiful shower by any measure. But there's no doubt about it: I felt left out. Aside from the Baby Shower, we had been having a steady stream of visitors and well wishers for Liz stop by, many of whom never even bothered to make eye-contact with me.

A few days later I was given the best surprise I could have been given at the time: A Man Shower. These days, the "Man Shower" is becoming popularized for wedding occasions where the groom celebrates opposite of the Bridal Shower. This is foolish in my opinion, does a man really need more then the Bachelor Party? I'd say it's someone's conspiracy to build a market!

One of my best friends ("BFF") had decided that I needed a little attention and planned a night of eating, drinking and some good clean fun. It was a night for good food, catching up with friends and gag gifts; just what a Dad-To-Be needs!

-The Man Shower should be something Dad would enjoy aside from the unadulterated out-of-control, debaucherous guys night out. No strip clubs, but rather a calm night out drinking. Or a poker night? A bbq? Something a man would enjoy. It's not an event to make Dad miss his freedom, because the kid is the real prison sentence, not the wedding (See Followup! Ahem, if you're married that this. Baby Arthur, I'm being facetious so don't cry when you're old enough to read this).

-Under no circumstances should there be any gifts provided for the baby, it's a Man Shower. A nice bottle of scotch or wine. Gag gifts on fatherhood like the awesomely funny book that the above cartoon is from (click on the picture if you want more details). A care package of pain killers perhaps?

-It need not be an all guys event either. Liz was present for my Man Shower. In fact, she was really happy my friends planned something for me.

This experience of having a baby is undoubtedly and rightfully all about the Mom. Let's not kid ourselves guys, she's doing all the work. But it takes two to tango and Dad plays a major role in any child's life.

Dads-to-be, have a "Man Shower", you deserve it!

Labels: baby shower