Eldredge Family Vacay (Part 1)

You may have noticed the crickets that have taken over my blog for the past week. Sorry for the lack of notice, but I didn't want anyone breaking into our house while we were gone and stealing the few nice things that we have accrued. I joke. I love our home. And I'd like to keep our belongings (as well as my peace of mind) intact for as long as possible. We have enough bad luck without advertising our absences to the masses.

Yes, you read that right. Our little family of three was finally able to get away for a few days and enjoy a much-needed break from the real world. For those of you who may not know, my husband was born and raised in Twin Falls, Idaho. And, with the sole exception of his brother who lives in Tennessee, the majority of his family still resides there. So we were over-the-moon excited when his oldest sister and nephew began planning a trip to the Midwest this past spring. Our plan was to pick them up at the airport in St. Louis, spend a few days toiling around the city, then head south to spend the remainder of the week with their brother and his family just outside of Nashville. Tickets were booked, bags were packed, and we were all so excited to see each other again!

Last Thursday morning brought a leisurely start at our house. Mindy and Will weren't scheduled to land until early afternoon, so we didn't see the need to hurry. We arrived it St. Louis shortly after noon in eager anticipation of their arrival. A quick feeding and a few stroller rides up and down the baggage claim terminal, and our long-lost relatives had arrived! My husband scored suite tickets to the Cardinals/Red Sox baseball game that evening, so we were off to the hotel to settle in and hopefully get in a quick nap for the babe. We checked in, unpacked, and quickly realized that the last thing Tay wanted to do was nap, so we decided to get ready and head to the stadium early. As luck would have it, a torrential downpour came just as we were leaving the hotel. Even though we were only a mile from the stadium, we knew better than to chance our luck. I was not about to walk into the suite drenched with a screaming baby. So, we broke out the umbrellas, strapped the tot into the Baby Bjorn, and lugged the stroller on the trolley.

Not long after we arrived at the stadium, the rain let up and the game was able to commence. The excitement that accompanies attending a major league baseball game flooded us all (pun intended), and we ended up having a great time. Unfortunately, due to an hour rain delay, we were only able to stay until the bottom of the 4th inning, but we were able to make a quick trip to Build-A-Bear before heading back to the hotel. Will opted for a camouflage bear while Taylor chose the traditional stadium bear (we needed to commemorate her first trip to Busch Stadium somehow). Let me tell you, girlfriend was SO excited for this bear! She laughed and gave it kisses the entire time we were in the store. I would've paid three times the price just to witness her reaction alone. It was pretty clear that she was in need of this vacation just as much as we were.

After a sleepless night (let's just say that cramming 3 adults, one child, and a baby into one tiny hotel room was not the best idea), we headed out Friday morning in search of coffee and the zoo. For those of you that have never been, the St. Louis Zoo is free and - in my opinion - one of the best in the country. Due to the mild weather, all of the animals were out and about which made it the perfect day! We managed to catch the end of the sea lion show, saw two turtles mating (and had my nephew ask why the big one was climbing on top of the little one), and watched an ape regurgitate his food and then eat it...three times. Never a dull moment!

And, of course, we had to squeeze in a ride on the carousel.

That evening, we had planned to meet up with some friends for dinner. Upon leaving the hotel, we decided we had had enough walking for one day, so Jake was off to hail a cab. Instead, we somehow ended up in a limo (which just happened to be unoccupied and sitting outside of our hotel). Tay was completely overwhelmed facing forward in a car for the first time. Her reaction was priceless (too bad we didn't get a better photo)! Now, I know some of you will probably scowl at me for this, but I sat her on my lap, buckled us both in, and we only went a few blocks in slow-moving traffic. Had we thought she were in any real danger, there's no way we would've done it.

Dinner with these kids at Baileys' Range was phenomenal. Although it had been a long day and Tay was completely worn out, she still did pretty well with the hour-long wait and crowded restaurant. If you're in the downtown St. Louis area, I highly recommend this place. It's kid-friendly and the burgers are amazing!

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel. Night #2 was definitely smoother than the first, but it still contained little sleep for most of us. Regardless, we were Nashville bound the next morning, and the excitement (and ample amounts of caffeine) was enough to keep us going.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our vacation - Tennessee style!

Registry Recommendations

Creating a baby registry can be a very overwhelming task (especially if you are like me and haven't spent much time around babies prior to creating one). Where should you register? Which brand is best? What products do you actually need? The questions are never ending.

In an attempt to help all of you first-time moms, I thought I'd put together a list of the baby products that we found to be useful and worth our hard-earned money. Some of these items were recommended to us by seasoned parents, some were things that I read about in baby books, and some are things that we just happened to stumble upon. I realize that everyone is different (and what suits us may not suit you), but all of these product have - at one time or another - been a lifesaver for us, so I'm more than happy to recommend them to you!

1. Swing.  Personally, we went with this one, but really any of them will do. This one just happened to match our decor.  These things are totally worth the money! Basically, if you ever want to get anything done around your house, buy one. You can strap your baby in and feel safe knowing he/she won't fall out. Ours has a built-in mobile and plays music. Those combined with the swinging motion will almost instantly put your baby to sleep. I will warn you that there is a weight limit (so you can't fit your adult self in it), and they don't make an adult version. Trust me, I checked.

2. Vibrating Chair.  We went with this one simply because it matched our swing. Now, I know what you're thinking. Why do I need the chair if I have the expensive swing? Because you do. When you're exhausted from not having slept in three days, the last thing you want to do is lug a swing around your house. This chair has legs that fold in and only weighs a couple of pounds. I would put Tay in ours and set it right outside the bathroom door so that I could take a shower every day (or every other day, whatever). It's great for traveling, too. We took it with us over the holidays so that no matter whose house we went to, we always had a safe place for Taylor to nap (because, let's face it, you do not want your baby laying on the floor when your nieces and nephew are throwing wrapping paper and boxes everywhere on Christmas morning).

3. Car Seat & Stroller.  There are a TON of car seats and strollers to choose from. After a lot of research and many hours spent reading reviews, we finally decided on this car seat and stroller combo. I knew right away I didn't want a traditional "travel system", because most strollers that come in those sets are bulky, hard to maneuver, and all of my friends who shelled out money on them told me they were a waste. So I was over-the-moon excited when I found this new line from Graco. The company had just released this set, and I was so excited at the thought of getting a car seat and jogging stroller for less than $350 (have you ever priced jogging strollers? Wowza!!). I loved the simplicity of the black and grey (no hot pink or butterflies for this momma) and was so impressed by all the built-in features on the stroller: one handed fold (that actually woks), an extra long sun shade, 2 cup holders for mom & 2 cup holder for baby, an enclosed area on the handlebar for my phone & keys, a spacious basket (for my 500 shopping bags), and actual rubber tires (rather than those plastic ones that are on most strollers). And it's so easy to navigate whether shopping or running on the trails. It is a bit bulky and does take up most of the room in the back of my SUV, but that minor detail pails in comparison to how happy it makes our babe. She is always comfortable and loves the reclineable seat which allows her to snooze comfortably while we're out and about. If you're a momma on a budget, I highly recommend this duo. I've used the stroller more times than I can count in the past 10 months, and I am yet to have a single complaint!

4. Pack 'n Play.  If you buy nothing else on this list, buy a pack 'n play. They come in various colors & patterns and can be purchased with or without mobiles, changing tables, and infant sleepers. We chose this one because the color scheme was simple and matched our bedroom decor. I didn't want something bright and flashy cluttering up the one room that I would be inhabiting for months. But that's just me. I liked that ours came with an additional changing table, but we were only able to use it about a week before it started to lean and we had to remove it. Thankfully, Taylor's nursery is right across the hall from our room so this wasn't a big deal. Rather than spending money on a separate bassinet, Taylor slept in our pack 'n play from the day we brought her home until we moved her to crib at 8 weeks old. We put it near our bedroom window so the sunlight would hit her during her naps (this helped define her days and nights and was crucial in developing her sleep schedule). My advice? Skip the bassinet and buy a pack 'n play. You'll need that extra cash for diapers anyhow.

5. Glider & Ottoman.  This was a must have for us. I knew we'd be spending long hours in the nursery feeding and rocking a fussy baby. Thankfully, she isn't fussy that often, but the feeding is inevitable. We LOVE this glider (and the matching ottoman, which is sold separately). It's gender neutral and will match nearly any color scheme. It is tall enough that even my 6'4" husband fits comfortably in it, it provides just the right amount of cushion and support, and the fabric is easy to clean as well. Taylor has covered ours in spit up numerous times, and it still looks brand new. I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for, and this piece of furniture is no exception. It's one of my favorites in our entire home.

6. IP Camera.  Since my husband is uber tech savvy, we decided to get an IP camera rather than a baby monitor. This was one area that I allowed him to have complete and total say over (which doesn't happen often). Since he did the research and installed the camera, my knowledge is limited on this subject. But Jake loves it and - to me - that says a great deal. We both had to shell out $5 on an app in order to view the camera on our iPhones, but it was worth it. The clarity and reliability of this camera far exceeds that of any baby monitor, plus we will be able to reuse this camera to spy on our children for home safety in the future. As any good tech junkie does, the hubby has been looking to upgrade our camera. Why? I don't know. I think it's completely unnecessary, but technological upgrades are like crack to him. If you want to shell out the extra cash, he also recommends this upgraded camera. (But I think the one that we have works perfectly fine.) Regardless of the route you go, I highly suggest purchasing some type of monitoring system. Even now, when Taylor wakes up in the middle of the night, we are much more willing to let her self soothe because we can see and hear her every move. Allowing her to learn to put herself back to sleep was vital in establishing her sleep schedule. It sucks, but it's necessary.

7. High Chair.  This is another item where there are a ridiculous amount of types/brands to choose from. After a lot of research, we decided to go with this chair. It's easy to clean, has multiple height and reclining positions, and the grey color scheme fits well with our kitchen/dining room decor, but I HATE the straps on this thing. Taylor screams every time I put her in it, because the straps take forever to buckle. The shoulder straps have to click into the waist straps which then click into the leg strap. This seems easy enough, but try doing it one handed while trying to hold down your squirming baby. Yeah, not so easy. The chair comes with an extra tray that snaps on top of the regular tray which may come in handy later when she moves in super messy eating baby mode but, for now, this feature does nothing for me. Looking back, I wish we would've bought a chair that can be hooked on the side of the table (which would be a much better option for us since we travel so often), but we're stuck with this thing until she is old enough to move to a booster seat. (P.S. I have my eye on this one.)

8. Cloth Diapers.  Not for diapering (unless you choose to go that route), but for use as burp cloths! These things are way more absorbent than any other brand we tried. No, they aren't cute, but after you've been spit up on the for the seventh time in one day you won't care what it looks like anyway. All you'll care about is it's ability to remove the regurgitated milk from your hair/face/clothes. Spend your money wisely and buy these for every day use at home. The best part? At a little over $1 per cloth, you won't feel bad about tossing them and buying new ones later on (which you will, because no amount of washing will remove the smell of sour milk completely).

9. Bottle Brush.  We have hand washed all of Taylor's bottles since she was born. Occasionally, we will steam them in the microwave after we hand wash them but, for the most part, we just wash them as we use them. I cannot say enough positive things about these bottle brushes. We have gone through five over the past ten months. They come with a small, twist off, wire bristle brush that is great for getting in those tiny crevices, and the built-in stand on the bottom assures that the brush remains upright and won't leave a puddle of water all over your counter top. We use this brush in conjunction with this Boon drying rack and love the combination. Having a separate washing system for Taylor's items ensures that her bottles/spoons/sippy cups are always clean when we need them. If you love buying cleaning products as much as I do, I highly recommend adding both of these to your list.

10. Travel Food Dispenser.  When the tot was a few weeks old, Jake signed us up for Citrus Lane. For those of you unfamiliar with this company, you pay $20 per month and they send you a box full of age-appropriate goodies for your tot. We have received all sorts of fun things in our monthly boxes including toys, clothes, snacks, gadgets, and coupons from various companies. A couple of months ago, we received this Zoli food dispenser and now we never leave home without it. It's great for taking snacks on the go. I fill each compartment with a different snack (puffs, yogurt melts, graham cracker pieces, animal crackers, etc.) and leave it in the diaper bag so that Taylor always has something to snack on no matter where we are. It comes with a twist off spout which makes it ideal for storing formula as well. And my favorite part is that each compartment can be removed from the others making clean up a breeze. I seriously love this thing. Put it in your Amazon cart now. You won't be sorry.

11. Changing Pad.  These are all pretty much the same, so I don't think it matters which brand you actually buy. However, look for one that has contoured sides and is waterproof (because it will get peed on - and often). Rest assured that no matter which one you buy, if your baby stands up on it and leans over she will do a front flip off of it. At that point, you'll know it's time to start changing diapers on the floor. Until then: SAVE YOUR BACK! I highly recommend purchasing one of these even if you don't have a changing table. We sat ours on top of Taylor's dresser and never had an issue with it moving or her falling out of it (until the front flip occurred). But hey, mistakes happen.

12. Wipes Dispenser.  Numerous people told me this would be a waste of money, but I am continually thankful for it. Not only does it keep the wipes moist, but it's visually appealing as well. Rather than constantly having to buy those flimsy packages of wipes, we buy the jumbo boxes, refill our container once every couple of weeks, and save a ton of money in the process. Our wipes never dry out, and the weight on top ensures that only one wipe comes out at a time (as opposed to the seven you get when you attempt to pull one out of the travel packages). For me, this was totally worth the money. I should note that this isn't a warmer. We didn't splurge for one of those. The kid has to learn hardship at some point in her life.

13. Baking Soda.  A couple of weeks ago, Taylor had the worst diaper rash I have ever seen. I won't go into detail, but that shit looked painful. We applied every kind of cream and paste we could get our hands on to no avail. Finally, my sister suggested adding baking soda to Tay's bath water. Not only did it work, but it worked INSTANTLY. The next morning her rash was all but gone. I was in awe. Try it. It works.

14. Aveeno Lavender Wash & Lotion.  When my friend's baby boy was a few months old, he developed a horrible rash from head to toe and, for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what had caused it. Since it was summer, she assumed that it was a heat rash, but she took him to the doctor to be sure. The doctor asked her what type of shampoo/body wash she used on him. She replied Johnson & Johnson. He told her to immediately switch to Aveeno, because J&J contains harsh chemicals that should not be used on a baby's sensitive skin. So, she followed the doctor's advice and within a couple of days the rash was completely gone. Sure enough, the doctor (who just so happens to be our pediatrician now as well) was right. Now, I know that plenty of moms use J&J products on their babies every day without any side effects, but it's not something I'm willing to risk. Plus, the lavender lotion smells absolutely heavenly.

15. Whale of a Bath Tub.  First off, this thing is adorable. Even though it's pink, I absolutely love it. We used this tub for Taylor's very first bath at two weeks old until she learned to sit (and was too big to fit in it anymore) around 6 months. The recline made it easy to rinse the shampoo out of her hair without getting it in her eyes and the little, rubber seat ensured that she wouldn't slip or slide while in the water. We have used other tubs when staying with friends and family and almost all of them have a plastic seat that is slick when it gets wet. When using those other tubs, I would have to hold Taylor with one hand (to keep her from sliding) and then try and bathe her with other. Talk about a mess! I'm all for bathtub fun, but the only one who needs to come out of the tub soaking wet is the baby. Not me.

16. Bath Spout Cover.  Speaking of bath time, this spout cover is a lifesaver once your baby is old enough to sit in the bathtub. Like most kids, Taylor is fascinated by the water. She loves to dunk her head under the spout while the tub is filling up (and then giggle as if it's the funniest thing in the entire world), and she loves to put her hand over the drain to feel the suction as it empties. Our girl spends a lot of time at the front of the tub, and she is constantly bumping her head on the faucet. This cover will save you from many unnecessary bumps and bruises. It's durable, easy to put on/take off, and it's gender neutral. Simple yet genius. Besides, who doesn't want to bathe with a smiling, blue whale? So. Cute.

17. Boppy.  For me, personally, breastfeeding sucked. I won't go into the details about it, but I did not have a pleasant experience. During the short time that I suffered through it did manage to breastfeed, I relied heavily on our Boppy. It saved my arms from having to hold Taylor every time I fed her, and, after she ate, I would prop her up on it to reduce spit up. Even after I stopped breastfeeding, we used this thing daily. It's worth the money if you have to buy one new, but you can almost always find a used one (mine was a hand-me-down from my sister). Buy a new cover and you're good to go!

18. Sophie the Giraffe.  (Or as my dad likes to call it, Gerry the Giraffe.) I get that this thing ranges from $25-$30 (depending on where you buy it), but it is worth every penny. Once your sweet baby enters the world of teething, you will do just about anything to alleviate his/her pain. I don't know what kind of material this thing is made out of or what they do to it to make it so appealing, but Taylor prefers this toy over every other teething product on the market. We know because we've bought them all. A word to the wise in case you ever lose Sophie or forget her at home, a frozen waffle works too.

19. Soothe and Glow Seahorse.  Yep, you probably had one of these yourself growing up (or something similar). I know I did. And do you know why they're still around? Because they work. Taylor has slept with this thing every night since we moved her to her crib at 8 weeks. It's soft, its belly lights up, and it plays music. And it's only $15 to boot. A little advice? If you ever forget to pack this thing (and you will), download the free app "Relax Melodies"  on your iPhone and then turn on the flashlight. You've just MacGuyvered yourself out of a sleepless situation.

20. Baby Mirror for the Car.  When Taylor was an infant, she hated riding in the car at night. We registered for this on a whim (one of those end-of-the-aisle finds), and ended up loving it! It comes with a remote control that clips onto your visor (similar to a garage door opener). One button activates a light and another turns on music. This thing has been a life saver on so many occasions (screaming baby + driving alone at night = my nightmare). We also have this one in Jake's vehicle. It doesn't have lights or music, but it has an extra large mirror and will fit an iPad (which means you can turn on Baby Einstein and everyone is instantly happy). The best part about both of these mirrors? They allow you to sneak a peek at your baby while driving to ensure that he/she is okay. A little peace of mind is always reassuring to a momma who hasn't slept in days and is already a stressed out mess.

Aside from these products, we also use Avent bottles & binkies, Gerber Goodstart formula, and Pampers diapers & wipes. I won't go into detail as to why we chose these particular brands, because I believe these items are trial and error for everyone. My suggestion? Try different brands until you find something that works best for you and your baby.

Oh, and clip coupons whenever you can, because babies are expensive! Happy shopping!

Ten Months

Since the tot was at her grandparents' house last week (due to another week of daycare closure), I am a little late on Tay's ten month post. If you thought the nine month post was entertaining, this one should be a doozie. Girlfriend is into everything! Unfortunately, I have a feeling this is only a small preview of what is to come, because she just started taking first steps last week (accompanied by our hand holding, but still)!  She has no interest in sitting still or playing by herself and don't even think about putting this baby in the corner! She is on the move non-stop, following us wherever we go and continually exploring her surroundings. She doesn't want to miss out on any of the action!

My personal favorite this month has to be her sweet new dance moves. A couple of weeks ago, she randomly started booty popping during the offertory hymn at church and, since then, Jake and I can't get enough! We are constantly singing "Twist & Shout" and "Shake that Booty" in an attempt to get her to bust a move. She. Is. Hilarious. Always keeping us on our toes and providing us with endless laughter.

She is now able to point and looks exactly like ET phoning home (only with a few extra layers of baby fat). It is so fun watching her discover something new. She slowly extends her arm until her chubby, little, pointer finger comes into direct contact with whatever it is that has caught her eye. Then she moves her eyes back and forth between the object and her hand like she can't believe that she's actually touching it. So funny how their little minds work! But the moment is typically short lived. It's not long before something distracts her (that something is usually Charlie) and she's off to explore something new.

This month our girl has tried a plethora of new foods (although a bad experience with a corn dog at the fair taught us to stay away from anything fried). She loves any type of fruit that we give her (her favorite being blueberries even though I can't stand them) as well as pasta, scrambled eggs, and steamed broccoli. I have a feeling this kid won't be a picky eater!

She has also turned into quite the little daredevil recently. This girl is completely fearless, never hesitating to climb over or under any obstacle that is in her way. Knowing my luck, she will grow up to be the ultimate tomboy leaving me to weep in the vast amounts of hair bows I have acquired for her. But, for now, our little diva remains a girly girl, still allowing me to paint her piggies and tolerating certain bows on her head. She is also obsessed with jewelry (turning every necklace I wear into a teether) and loves playing with the Mardi Gras beads that we won at the fair (which is the ultimate sign that she is, in fact, my child). Momma loves a good time and free, shiny jewelry, too, sweetheart.

This month, we were extremely fortunate because Taylor learned how to throw a tantrum! Oh, joy. And we know that they're intentional, because the only time she throws them is at home. Our babysitter thought I was nuts when I told her that Taylor had a meltdown one morning, and my mom didn't believe it either until she saw it for herself last week. Tay hates being told no and will knowingly proceed in doing something even after we have told her not to. She's becoming defiant and oh-so independent. It makes my heart ache for the days when she would sit quietly on the floor playing with her toys. Such a sweet, happy child compared to the wild beast we are currently trying to tame. I kid. She really is a good baby. She's just discovered the freedom that comes with mobility (and the ability to get into trouble).

Another recent development is Tay's fascination with books! She loves pulling them out of the organizer and scattering them all over her room. However, she prefers looking at the pictures rather than hearing the stories. Every time I go to turn a page, she slams the book shut (notice the book is closed in each of the photos below). Story time is usually short-lived, typically ending with me bursting out in song in order to keep her attention for five more seconds. In case you're wondering, "Five Green & Speckled Frogs" is her favorite.

        

I know I say it every month, but our tot is growing too fast. Her first birthday is rapidly approaching, and it makes me sad to think that before too long our baby will become a toddler. Thankfully, we're too busy trying to keep her from belly flopping down the stairs, eating the dog food, or applying another hydrocortizone cream facial to notice.

Jake's Two Cents: Parenting Edition

My beautiful wife has mentioned a few times about guest posting. I thought it might be good to write a little about my experiences as a father so far and maybe offer advice to those expecting. Or this may be something Taylor reads to her therapist later on in life. I do want to state that I am not the first person people come to for advice, so some of this may be downright ill-advised. I will also note that Jamie will “proof read” this so chances are I have been censored.

“The pregnancy was fun,” said no man ever. I have the utmost respect for my wife and what she did to create this beautiful child, but mood swings will literally make a guy go crazy. “Babe, do you want to just hang out tonight and watch a movie?” says the sweet innocent prego wife. Thirty minutes later, “Jake, I told you we needed to get the crib put together TONIGHT!” hisses this evil boa constrictor that swallowed a bowling ball.  Even if you are as hard headed as I am, my advice is just nod and do what they ask. At some point, you will understand that she had good intentions and allowing her to do things her way will make her feel a little comfort while her entire body goes through this mad scientist experiment. Oh, and if you were wondering, yes, she will hold this “I created a human” thing over your head for the rest of your life.

The day of birth was truly amazing. I am not the most emotional guy but that day was (as cliché as it sounds) the best day of my life. Now, all women see their baby and say “oh my, that is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” Guys, they are lying to you. Don’t feel bad if you don’t think your baby is cute. The fact is, newborns look like little aliens and are covered in goo. And they probably won’t let it take a bath for at least a day or two. Another piece of advice, the nursery is there. USE IT. You will be glad you did when you get finally get some sleep.  Also, don’t get annoyed when people come to visit you at the hospital. They are just excited and there to offer you support.

Some advice for guys that work crazy hours or think they can’t afford to be off work? Take some time off. Be with your new family. You don’t want to miss a thing (like the first time you hear your baby fart, which is one of the funniest things you will encounter – it’s almost like it startles them). And your lady will appreciate the help. This stuff is new to her, too.

I will not be “that guy” that tells you the same thing everyone else does: “rest now because you’re not going to get any sleep later.” Duh. What did you expect, Captain Obvious? Now, I have no idea if Jamie and I were monks in a previous life or what we did to deserve such a good baby, but our babe slept through the entire night at eight weeks old. I will say that Jamie did a great job putting her on a schedule. Here is my logic behind it: when Taylor took a nap during the day, we made sure there was still some sunlight in the room so she knew the difference between a nap and bedtime sleep. We also established a bath, bottle, bed routine when she was about 2 weeks old. Now, Tay is well aware that after her bath she gets to eat and then it is time for bed. If you think about it, we are all creatures of habit. Routines are comforting and, if you didn’t have a routine, most things would be new every day. While I think that is ok, you don’t want new learning experiences to lose their appeal.

Let’s talk about the diaper situation. Yeah, it’s not fun. I had literally never changed a diaper until the day our daughter was born. Guys, it’s not rocket science. If you were a lady, would you want poo wiped up into your lady parts? Prolly not. Jamie and I never fight about who changes the diaper (none of that “I changed more than you” stuff). The one piece of advice I can give any dude is MAN UP. This is 2014. Your wife or girlfriend (or women in general) do not need to be doing all of the work. If she is watching the baby, you can cook dinner. You can vacuum. You can pick up the house real quick. If she was gracious enough to already do all of that, let her relax or go take a bath. She can be alone for a while and you can have some bonding time with your baby. Trust me on this one. It’s important to spend alone time with your children. If I am gone or really busy at work one week, when I get home my little girl will love me for 5 minutes and then only wants her mommy because I have been absent. Take time now to be present in their lives.

I am sure I have a million more not-so-good tips but, all-in-all, I think most of this is common sense. When you think about it, you were raised before Google was invented and you turned out ok. Hell, your parents did something right if you can read this and are still willing to reproduce.

Lastly, I will leave you with 5 things I have learned NOT to say to your pregnant wife: 

1.   Do NOT tell her she is moody or needs to calm down. This will unleash the hidden beast.
2. Do NOT tell her to stop crying because her friends get to do stuff that she can’t. Foot in mouth.
3. Do NOT say “I lost five pounds this week”. You will instantly look uglier to her.
4.  If she says “I am mad. Just let me be mad”. DO NOT let her be mad! Say crap like “you look pretty today” and “I can’t wait to meet the baby” to cheer her up.
5. NEVER, EVER say “your cankle swelling is really flaring up today”. Just don’t do it.

Disclaimer:  This post was written solely by my husband. Very little editing was done prior to it being publish. But do you see why I rave about him? The guy just gets it.