Daddy's Top Ten

With so many of our friends who are pregnant and/or just had babies, it got me thinking: what are the top ten things I would recommend to a dad to be? What are the "must haves"? Well, here they are (in no particular order):

1. Itzbeen: let's face it, there is so much going on with your first kid, you don't know if you're coming or going. Not anymore! This handy dandy item has kept us in line with feedings, changing, sleep times, medications and so much more, all with a push of the button. We use it's convenient light all the time to get around in the dark. It's really the #1 thing I would recommend.

2. Baby Jogger City Stroller: Since the time I heard that we were pregnant, I couldn't wait to begin looking for an all terrain stroller. Originally, we were set on a Bob Revolution, but the price always scared us off. After much research we settled for the City and love the purchase. After miles and miles on trails and the road, it's still holding strong. At three months, Caleb can fit in it and it lays all the way back.

3. Man-gown: I hate the name, but these things are so practical, particularly when changing him at 2 am in the morning. There's no buttoning him up, just lift up the man-dress and change him. Simple!

4. Infant Sleep bag: Our little guy would not swaddle, so we settled for the next best thing: the sleep bag. It gives him liberty to kick his legs and stay warm in the winter. It's zippered in the front, giving easy access for changing a screaming kid in the middle of the night.

5. Pacifier: This is a life saver. I would not recommend allowing him to fall asleep with one, because he'll wake up every time it falls out. At first, you may be put off by the prices (they tend to be expensive), but if you have a 2 story house, it is imperative to have at least 12 of them! Trust me, when the little guy is screaming his tiny head off, the pacifier will pacify him. You can never have too many.

6. Bottle warmer: You'll see plenty of high tech ways to heat up a bottle, but nothing works better than a large cup full of hot water. Just pop the bottle and bam! in five minutes the bottle is ready to go. I love technical gadgets, but trust me, save your money (you'll need it for his college fund) and settle with large cup of hot water.

7. Homemedic Steamer: What does a steamer have to do with your baby? Well, nothing! However, your time is valuable, so don't waste it waiting for your iron to warm up. In 45 seconds, I have it screaming steaming and in a few minutes, my clothes are crisp and wrinkle free...just in time for him to spit up on them.

8. Monitor(s): Originally, we started with the Sony Baby Call. The Sony has been excellent and it picks up the slightest sound he makes while ignoring the white noise. The "voice activated" feature allows the monitor to alert you only when he makes noise. LA eventually bought a video monitor. Initially, I was not a fan, there really isn't too much to watching a baby sleep, but our other friends who have it swear that as he grows, it's nice just to view the monitor to see what he is crying about.

9. Playgroups: Men, we don't do playgroups...in fact, the kids don't even do playgroups, but it is vitally important that you get your wife plugged in to some type of playgroup. All it is some friends who get together to talk babies (that is what you will do from now on). Trust me on this: keep her happy and everything should go over well.

10. Frozen pizza: Say goodbye to your gourmet meals and hello to a last second meal plan! We have at least 2 on hand for all times we had when we're so busy with little him that we forget to thaw something or cooking something will take an hour. Just pop this in and in 15 mins you have a quick meal that you'll both enjoy. Take a chill pill mom and dad, there will be plenty of time to cook, just sit back and enjoy having a family.