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When you first find out that you are having a baby you have 9 months buffer to let it set in.  Likely over the next several months you collect a few baby books and receive several hand me down clothing items.  Yes, this is it!  You are going to be a parent.  Time is going to go by faster than you think.  Are you ready for this?

Before you know it you are in Toy’s ‘R Us staring at a Nursing Poncho and a package of Nipple Protectors.  The first visit to this warehouse sized retail store can be overwelming even for the savvy shopper.  As soon as you pass through the automatic doors you immediately perk up due to the impressive amount of unnatural light and the curiously artificial aura.  A little bit like a casino.  As your first time there you are naturaly drawn to the Hotwheels and motorized jeep but you must stay on task if you are to keep this trip under an hour.  Head to the baby section and get familiar with these nursing devises and burping cloths.  Because this is going to be what you are buying for the first year or so as a parent.  Also, find out from others what type of diapers they use and which ones to stay away from.  The wall of diapers will make you dizzy the first time you approach it.  Following your first trip to the store I recommend that you take a nap or have a dram of scotch.  Your next trip there will be more familiar and less taxing on your system.   

With roughly ten weeks to go you should be looking into getting the essentials. 

• crib/mattress/blankets
• infant car seat
• stroller/carriers
• changing table and accessories
• announcement cigars!

It may be helpful for others if you had a gift registry somewhere.  This way if some one needs an idea for a baby gift they can find help with the registry.  Here in Edmonton we have a list at E-children.  The web site itself is not very helpful but the store is full of baby-to-teen items.  Everything you will need is there.

30 weeks prego!  The pregnancy calender at BabyCenter is still our source for week by week info on what’s going on in there.

WiseDad

There are plenty of parenting sites out there with advice on how to be a good parent.  Some with generic advice, some with more unique solutions and others with real advice which is where the following parent/blogger has ventured.  RebelDad has borrowed an idea from Hugh MacLeod at gapingvoid.com and started The Parenting Manifesto Project by having parents/parents-to-be write a 500 word manifesto about parenting.  I suggest you browse through some of the submitted manifestos for some insightful reading.  You may find some wisdom in these real experiences shared by these parents.  

If there is anything you have experienced and want to share with other parents in 500 words or less then visit RebelDad and submit your very own manifesto.  So far there are about 30 documents posted on his site submitted by others. 

WiseDad 

“Weeding through the web so you don’t have to” 

Most of us like to enjoy a good crumble recipe.  This one is very tasty and you can modify the ingredients to make it your favorite.  Let’s get started… 

Inside:

• 2 lbs or whatever amount you wish of fruit, my favorite pear/raspberry/apple
• 1/3cup sugar or more for sweeter crisp
• 2tbsp cornstarch
• 2tbsp lemon juice

On top:

• 3/4cup unsalted butter
• 1/2cup brown sugar
• 1cup flour
• 1/2cup oats
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2-3/4cup nuts, the more nuts the better, we use chopped pecans

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F. 
2. Chop fruit into bowl and stir in “inside” ingredients.  Put into casserole dish that fits 
3. Mix the ingredients for the topping and pour on top of the fruit. 
4. Bake for 40min or until top is brown and fruit is bubbly.
5. Eat with a scoop of vanilla bean frozen yogurt or ice cream.

As with all my favorite recipes sharing is optional.

Enjoy!

We are now 27weeks into the pregnancy with one period remaining (3rd trimester).  The reality of it all is starting to set in as we can now see actual body parts moving under the skin, which I have to admit is a little creepy but very cool.  Punking hour for the little one is between ten and eleven at night and provides for some great evening entertainment.  We just lay there and watch as this little gymnast does a routine within his/her little home.  With our hands we try to guess which body part we are feeling.   

At 27 weeks here are a few key notes (revised for the gents):

• This is the 3rd and final trimester with about 9-13wks to go
• The baby can now open and close their eyes
• Look into prenatal classes if you haven’t already
• Baby is around 2lbs and 14.5inches long
• Leg cramps are common at this time so make sure you have some massage oil beside the bed or KY for multipurpose
• Remain active with your spouse but start to lower the intensity
• Start shortlisting some names, Babynamewizard is still our favorite site
• Think about what you will need before bringing the baby home, ie. car seat
• Visit Toy’s R Us to see what you are in for, this is a topic of a future post.

Again one of the best sites for information on pregnancy, birth and parenthood is BabyCenter Canada.  They even have a section for the dad-to-be of the house.

I will leave you with this little pearl of wisdom:

“Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.”  ~Bill Cosby

Has every one made their “resolutions” list?  I am not big into this idea but it makes for an interesting conversation to start the new year.  These are a few I came across on the web (at slinkycity.com) and thought I would share in order to spark an idea for yourself.

1. I resolve to work with neglected children.
2. I will answer my snail mail with the same enthusiasm with which I answer my e-mail.
3. When I hear a funny joke I will not reply, “LOL… LOL!”
4. I will not ring the stewardess button on airplanes just to get her phone number.
5. I will balance my checkbook. (on my nose).
6. I will think of a password for my computer other than “password.”
7. I will try to figure out why I “really” need 11 e-mail addresses.
8. I will go into McDonald’s and order a McSpreader
9. I will go into McDonald’s and order a McSlurry
10. I will find out why the correspondence course on “Mail Fraud” that I purchased never showed up.

If you need some help achieving them or just staying the course then go to AskMen.com.

Share your New Years Resolution below in the comment section.  If I were to start my own list I would have “eat more quality chocolate as opposed to going for quantity” at the top.