It wasn’t too bad! Depends on how many people you have at the shower really. I found this 15 pack of white onesies in various sizes on Amazon for $36: 15 pack onesies

And here’s a 24 pack of permanent fabric markers for $12: fabric markers

So say you have 30 people at the shower, you could get a couple packs of the onesies and 3-4 packs of the markers for people to share around, and it’d be around $100. Idk what your budget is, but that seems well worth it to me for your guests (and you!) to have a great time decorating the onesies, plus all the cute clothes you’ll get out of it! Everyone at the shower I threw had an awesome time with this craft, and thought it was a lot better than the sometimes corny games that can go on at baby showers!

Have fun!

First, take a breath. Everything is gonna be all right.

Unless you helped raise your siblings or work in a daycare, most people go into parenthood without much relevant experience. (I had absolutely none.) It's one of those things that you learn on the job.

You have 8 months until the kiddo arrives. Enjoy your last childfree days. Trust me, there will be times you miss them. Get as much sleep as you can now, because the lack of sleep is rough. For me, that was literally the hardest thing about having kids.

If she's not already there, very soon your wife is going to start having morning sickness. While my wifey was puking her guts out, she preferred for me to bring her a glass of water to gargle and drink afterwards, hold her long hair out of the way to keep it from getting messy, and gently rub her back. Find out what your wife likes.

Once she gets to her last trimester, keep a close eye on her health. That's when things can go really bad. (Mine nearly died from preeclampsia during her first pregnancy) She should be seeing her OB regularly -- at least weekly if she has any high risk factors.

Literally the first thing you'll need is a car seat. The hospital will not release your child unless you have one. We used this one which is a car seat and carrier, and has seperate stroller attachment.

After the kiddo arrives home, you need to have a nursery ready. To that end, you're going to need a crib, diapers, diaper cream, wipes, 2-3 baby blankets, and some onsies. (I got this one for my kiddos). I would highly recommend getting a diaper genie too. If you have family members who are retired, having them stay over during the first month or two is a good idea. You'll probably be too tired to cook or clean, so an extra set of hands is always useful. You might also want to stock up on lanolin cream, because breast feeding or pumping is very hard on the titties and has a tendency to tear them open.

The best places to buy infant clothing are Goodwill and Once Upon A Child. They grow so fast that you'll get maybe a month of use out of it before it's time to buy more.

You also need to have some idea of what you're going to do with the kiddo after your maternity/paternity leave is over. Is wifey going to be a stay at home mom, or are you going to put your kid in day care? If you go the daycare route, you need to spend the months before the kiddo is born finding one. Do research to find good ones in your area, then go on a tour. Once you find one you like, put your kiddo on the waiting list. (Yes, they have wait lists for day care, especially for the infant rooms.)

As far as general parenting tips, the first year is the hardest. If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's OK to put the baby down in his crib and let him cry, while you walk away for 15 minutes to clear your head. Until around 6-10 months, infants aren't very interactive. Once they're walking (10-12 months) and talking (12-24 months), they're a lot more fun.


Oh, I asked my wifey and here were her tips:

• Most insurance plans will give you a free breast pump, which you can order around the 6th month of pregnancy. Get one, preferably the Medallia double action, which is the cadillac of breast pumps)
  
  
• Subsribe to the "One Bad Mother" podcast on the Maximum Fun podcast network.
  
  EDIT: Oh, and you'll need bottles, a bottle brush, and a sterilizer. This is the sterilizer we use.

• bottles of a few different brands; some babies will take one brand but not another. Most come with size 1 nipples, buy a few "newborn"/"low flow" nipples just in case.
  
• a breast pump, even if you don't think you'll need one, your insurance will cover it (thanks obamacare). My wife stayed home for a while after our daughter was born. Having a pump (1) gave her relieve when she was engorged and (2) gave me an opportunity to handle some night feedings, etc.
  
• a thermometer. In most cases, the "is my baby ok" question boils down to "if they're not blue and not running hot, they're probably fine". having this on hand before you need it is a stress reducer
  
• a split of champaign (if you're so inclined). At some point, you'll be at home; just the three of you. The kid will be sleeping, the house guests will be gone and life will seem still for a moment. Celebrate your new life and then go take a nap.
  
• a friend lined up to make a pharmacy run shortly after you get home. If you wind up needing any meds (pain meds are pretty common after childbirth), you tend to want them ASAP. Personally, I nearly fell asleep in the car on the way to the pharmacy to pick up my wife's meds; a co-worker of mine totaled his beamer on the way home from the pharmacy after his kid was born ;-P
  
• I'm a huge fan of the various "sleep sacks" that allow you to swaddle without needing to do blanket origami.
  
• Kimono onesies are awesome. I have no idea why they're so expensive and hard to find: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IFFNHL6. They allow you to dress the little monster with the scary "over the head" thing
  
• make sure that some of your clothes are "0-3" and some are "newborn". If you have a tiny baby, the 0-3 stuff is too big; if you have a big baby, the newborn stuff is too small... it's weird.

Happy cake day!! Thanks for the contest.

1. Cake or Birthday Related
   2.Simon Pegg
   
2. Book I want to read super badly!
   
3. Eating Utensils
   
4. Animal
   
5. The packaging is purple
   
6. A game
   
7. Guilty Pleasure
   
8. A tool
   
9. Something from your childhood
   
10. Organizational item
    
11. Hobby I make bracelets out of them.
    
12. Nerdy/Geeky
    
13. Someting Natural
    
14. Green Welp... some of it is.
    
15. Something you wear Large.
    
16. Funny
    
17. Beads, Bees, or Beans
    
18. Gardening
    
19. Absolute Favorite
    
    Bonus Because I know that feel and it sucks!
    
    Happy happy cake day If I have enough money I may do a 3rd prize for $5.00 and if I do, I will use the raffle to pick a winner.
    
    edit: formatting

Congratulations on your babies! <3 I'm sure #1 is adorable already and #2 will be just as cute! (:

[These socks] (http://www.amazon.com/Luvable-Friends-10-Piece-Socks-Months/dp/B003ZZ8Q1W/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1376017051&sr=8-12&keywords=baby+socks) are too cute to even put into words. Every time I see a baby in cute socks, I can't help but to stare and ogle at their tiny piggies' blanket. ;)

[This ear cuff] (http://www.amazon.com/Earrings-Stainless-Feather-Dangle-Cartilage/dp/B009YJWHB8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2TW8KRNAN1IEA&coliid=I6EKD0P8EYIJO&psc=1) is beyond adorable and I would throw up if it was gifted (in JOY of course ;D)

Thank you for the contest! <3

There's a company called kissy kissy that also makes these, they're called converter gowns. My sister bought me some when I had my son and I LOVE them. Love, love, love. They're so soft and have the most adorable patterns. Here are some on Amazon.

I am due this Winter! My cute little parasite is a boy, though.

1 Cotton headband

2) I'd love this $1.91 with free shipping LED flower light that I stole from /u/bridget1989's wishlist! (Sorry not sorry!)

3 Addison, Amelia, Bailey, Violet, Madeline, PrincessSparkle (thought your daughter might like this one), Mairin (Irish, I'm Irish!), etc.

THANKS for the GREAT contest! Let me know how you're feeling every day so I know what to expect one month after you do. Haha!

The Amazon brand of Carter's has some good multi-packs.

I liked this one as it's just simple stripes.

These are ok too as a long sleeve option. I tend to dislike cartoon animals on baby clothes but these aren't terrible since they're more of a pattern than a graphic, if that makes sense.

Edit to add: primary.com is excellent as well. All solids and stripes, basically. You can search by color, too. The fabric quality is excellent. They're more than I like to spend, usually, but the quality is worth it. They're having a 40% off sale right now for the holiday.

We are in love with the Swimzip one pieces (I see that they have two pieces also though). They have long sleeves and long pants which means wayyy less sunscreen to worry about and the best part is that the zipper goes all the way down the leg, like footie pajamas, so I find them really easy for diaper changes. They are prime eligible on Amazon so you could definitely get one in time! They are a little pricier though, like $30-40. Just search swimzip baby on Amazon or their website is here: https://swimzip.com/


I've also seen lots of snap bottom one pieces on Amazon as well.

Edited to add I just saw this two piece on Amazon from swim zip that sounds like what you are looking for: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BYMZHH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RApAzb9PHVV03

This is my favorite brand of dresses to get for my daughter. Hope you like these! They are always made really well and gorgeous!

1

2

3

4

I think most of them would look adorable with cowboy boots too. I would put my daughter in all of these! :)

My favorite snow boots for young toddlers are the Kamik Snobug boots. For older kid, any 2 piece snowsuit (bibs + jacket) will work. I like to go with name brands because I know the quality is good. For price, Columbia beats most of the others. Add a fleece hat (with ear flaps) and mittens (apparently cosco has a killer set that all my friends love). For the 8 month old, a fleece or waterproof one piece bunting are good for when you're going out on cold days. For daily outings, a general hooded fleece jacket is good, when you don't want to put on a one piece. I'm in Boulder, if you have any more questions let me know!

Edited to add Socks! I love the Smartwool toddler sock. The toddler ones are super undersized, though, so you'll want to size up there.

We got a seat cover that I really like. I usually tuck a blanket in there too because of drool and extra warmth. But I love not having to mess with making sure everything is tucked in.

JJ Cole Car Seat Cover, Black Tri Stitch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077C2GL53/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_M9PYDbYNH14Q4

For quick transition between places: Fleece onesie, hat

For walks outside: Long sleeve onesie, pants, fleece hoodie, hat, hood over hat

Zando Baby Winter Hats (fits my 4 month old great, lots of room to grow) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HGW9GY5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5.PYDbP5SY6VH

Still looking for good gloves.

Tomorrow's the day! We're scrambling definitely prepared for an awesome evening tomorrow, and we hope y'all can join us! You might even be a lucky winner who walks away with a set of switches, a PCB, or a DIY cable kit.

Fill out the RSVP Form if you haven't already

Many thanks to our sponsors for the items pictured above:

• Zeal
  
• Zap! Cables
  
• SpaceCat.Design
  
• Lo-Ki Caps
  
  See our main post for more details.
  ---
  
  ...and see my previous posts for more prizes.
  
  
  Texan? Texain't? Join our Discord!
  ---
  
  

  FAQ
  

  Q: When is the meetup?
  A: Sat. April 6, 2019 from 6pm till 10pm
  
  Q: Where?
  A: Google Fiber Space: 201 Colorado St. Austin, TX 78701
  
  
  Q: What do I need to do I attend?
  A: RSVP and show up
  
  
  Q: Where can I park?
  A: There's no official parking at the venue, but here are some resources to locate paid parking downtown:
  
  

• http://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/cbd_off_street_parking_11x17_032016.pdf
  
• https://en.parkopedia.com/parking/austin/
  
• https://www.bestparking.com/austin-tx-parking-2/
  
  Q: I've never been to a meetup before and I don't know what to expect
  A: Expect a room full of people that are as excited about keyboards as you are! Bring your board(s) and I promise you'll find someone eager to hear all about them.
  
  Here are some photos from previous Austin meetups:
  
  
• https://imgur.com/a/893cK
  
• https://imgur.com/a/ci8RY
  
• https://imgur.com/a/asJKg
  
  Q: What if it rains?
  A: ¯\(ツ)/¯
  
  Q: When?
  A: Sat. April 6, 2019 from 6pm till 10pm
  
  Q: WhEn iS tHe MeEtUp?
  A: Sat. April 6, 2019 from 6pm till 10pm

I had a lot of anxiety over it. I got it done early though since I had my shower when I was ~24 weeks (my mom threw the shower and between her traveling for work and the holidays, it's the only time that worked).

We seriously did not know what to put as far as clothes go because we were/are getting a ton of hand me downs. I asked hubby to work on it one day and came back to almost a hundred new items added! They were all almost pizza or taco related. With sayings like "pizza is my bae" and one of his favorites "tacocat". He also found a bunch with his favorite bands, movies, or basically anything he would wear in baby size. Not everyone bought off registry, but anyone who looked at it got a good idea of our sense of humor and taste.

I also put some things I don't think I'll use, but I might if someone else bought it, like a wipe warmer. Not everything on the registry needs to be bought. People like to buy stuff though, I don't get it.

1. These socks are adoreable.
   
2. Just $2 credit on an e-gift card would be awesome to put twords my new gaming headset =)
   
3. Seraphina, Aria and Celeste are my picks for names.
   
   Good luck on your new bundle of joy!!!

1.) Since someone already mentioned Xavier.. Daryl Norman Okay enough of The Walking Dead related ones.. Ethaniel Lee

2.) Okay I will be honest I have a theme here and this will only work if the parents have an awesome sense of humor and like The Walking Dead... Kinda NSFW? I find it cute.. D:

3.) Pregnant cupcakes! Well sort of. Have filling that is all pink and one blue for the mother's baby boy. Who ever gets the blue one wins a lil party gift.

My daughter does the same thing and wears the same size. We buy Gerber 4T onesies and cheap overalls and we just bought a bunch of biketards. All of them can be bought on amazon (links below). This will make changing the diaper more difficult, but at least your kiddo won’t be able to get into the diaper. I also find that the biketard snugness helps my daughter behave better in general.

Onesies: Gerber Baby 4 Pack Onesies, White, 4T https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BPG22TO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hNm8AbEPVK71G

Overalls: The Children's Place Baby Girls Shortalls, Olliewash 5987, 5T https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0748M258T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NPm8Ab9CESZKC

Biketards: Gymnastics Leotards for Girls Mermaid Print Costume for Halloween Blue ,Shiny Mermaid,110(4-5Y) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076P52L1Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qQm8Ab367WK8A

We also bought some therapy compression shorts and pants, but you should always be sure to check with an Occupational Therapist before using true compression or weighted gear for your child. We bought ours through Kozie: https://www.kozieclothes.com/unisex-compression-shorts

Good luck! Know that you aren’t alone!

Orgrimmar has some amazing leather-soled shoes with a couple rubber circles on the sole to prevent slipping. Unfortunately their size large is equivalent to a toddler size 4ish and they don't get larger.

Vivobarefoot's toddler shoes are great as far as the shape / toe box, but surprisingly stiff. Also expensive.

The shoes by Plae and See Kai Run that I've seen in consignment stores (though never in the right size) seem perfect - durable, wide, flat, and super flexible! I just can't quite bring myself to spend $50 on shoes that will be too small in a month and a half...

Well, aren't y'all looking spectacular today!

For gift one, a cutting board because I recently dropped mine and it broke in half! or I would really love a Kindle Paperwhite because I spend a ton of time trying to read in bed and always get frustrated because my silly clip on light never shines in the right place. This would be super helpful.

And for number two, baby clothes because my baby is growing faster than I can keep up! :) C'mon...gimme, please.

edit: to add the paperwhite to one.