Add me to the list of Huddle dads

[The Saltman]

Touché.

[mush]

I wouldn't worry about money and buying so much stuff either. Babies don't care what brand of clothes they have on, nor what brand of furniture is in their room. We bought yard sale changing table and some other things. they worked just as well as name brand new ones. Same for all the furniture.

don't invest much in newborn clothes, other than taking the joy of buying one or two of your favorite looking ones. they'll be out of them in no time, ask your family or friends to buy the next size up for them, 3-6 month stuff when they're born, because so many people will get you newborn stuff they won't have time to wear them.

One thing I rarely went cheap on though was diapers. Buy the pampers or huggies doesn't matter just don't try to save a buck on those no name brand diapers. they won/'t hold as much and will leak more often, meaning more cleanups for you.

I learned the joys of takeout after having kids. We used to go out all the time before the kid was born, then went out some too up until about 6 months, but after that had a few expensive dinners ruined by the kids, then we learned the joys of takeout. Same good food, no dishes, drink your own beers at home, etc. So many times after our kids were born we would put them to bed at 8pm and I would get takeout from our favorite restaurants.

And as soon as you can get a night out with the boys and if you can kick her out with the girls for a night do it. Get in that routine quick as you can because so often parents want to play the martyr routine thinking they can't go out and do anything. bullshit. It lets you get away and get a break and you shouldn't feel bad about doing it.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Thanks for the great advice, mush.

We're definitely not the types to worry about a lot of new, materialistic things. The wife and I have already agreed that we'll get the bulk of our child's clothes at consignment stores.

That being said, I do worry about money in general. I don't make much, and we're fortunate to have paid down nearly all of our debt so that we can start saving for a house, but I still feel like I should get out there and look for a better-paying job. Or at least pick up a part-time job.

We're also not huge on going out. We already have a love for takeout, and you know I have a love for drinking my beers at home.

That being said, as I mentioned before we've got quite a lot of family within half a mile from us, and I know they'll be willing to watch the kid when we do need to get away.

I'm getting excited! We've been reading up on what to expect at various points in the pregnancy and that sort of thing. Hopefully we'll get to hear the heartbeat in two weeks.

[mush]

you've got time now, start buying things as you can and take the time to find them USED at yard sales and such. most yard sales advertise the baby items they have and go for them. clean them up and you've got them for a fraction of what they cost new. Understand that family/friends will step up for you and when it comes down to the last two months people will ask what you need and if you don't have it ask for it! People want to go out of their way for a new baby and it's one of the things they take pleasure in doing for you.

It can get stressful too in the beginning so when people volunteer to help watching them let them! We dumped our kids on neighbors and anybody else that asked. You need a break and you need to get out of that mindset early on that nobody else can watch your kid but you. Schlep 'em off on somebody else they've got your cell if something goes wrong. Most of the time they're more careful with them than you are because it's not their kid.

And although this is a personal thing, I'd try to stay away from the inbedding thing. The majority of cases of SIDS have been proven to actually be the result of kids sleeping in the same bed as their parents. And I know too many kids that are still sleeping with their parents at age 8 because they can't fall asleep on their own and can't take a nap without their parent in the bed with them.

[Hawk]

used diapers at yards sales are never a good investment...just sayin

[mush]

And you can expect that used car seats have old puke and crap stains in them.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

So, three months later and we just found out it's a boy!

We had a bit of a scare when we went for an ultrasound Tuesday, so we had to go to do a Level 2 ultrasound today. Without getting into details, the doctor reassured us that he thinks everything looks good right now.

I am very thankful that my baby's doing well right now. Hearing two days ago that might not be the case was one of the worst feelings in the world.

Just very happy right now. :cheers2:

[The Saltman]

:party: Congrats

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Thank you sir!

[CLTPanther]

I'd tell you what to expect, but I'd rather you stay happy a few more months.

[The Saltman]

Be thankful its a boy and u don't have to buy an AK47 like me.

[Darth Biscuit]

I'm sure if I had a girl I would love her... but I'm sure glad I have boys.

Congrats... now go buy a football and get your arm ready for when he pops out.

[Jangler]

Stop bragging...it was just the umbilical cord.

[SmootsDaddy89]

Name it after your favorite beer.