3 weeks till my minion arrives by stork

So I have a couple questions...

What things should I buy in bulk now because we will need more than expected?

The kid is estimated at 10 lbs with 3 weeks togo, so should we just stick with a receiving blanket for the most part till the inital size adjustment is over?

Any advice for me as the future papa for the aftermath of the birth, helping mom, or taking care of the minion?

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A more serious question for the dads, how in the sphincter of zeus's butt hole do you make it through the last month sane?

She chews ice all day, if shes awake shes chomping ice, I hate the sound of people eating crunchy stuff it drives me batty, her snoring is like having my own personal freight train speeding through our bedroom. (we have a king size memory foam bed that in store I stretched out on it and told her to plop down on the other side and I felt nothing, with her snoring she vibrates the bed)

I fully understand this is all part of the pregnancy path, but I am trying to not drink since she cant drink but man its getting tough.

a reply to: Irishhaf


Diapers, formula, wipes.

Wipes.

Wipes.

Onsies.

Socks.


My bride had a thing for Steak & Shake Chili Mac at midnight.


Every night.



Say goodbye to sleep for about 18 months.


And then say goodbye to sleep for the next 18 years after that.


CONGRATS!

a reply to: Irishhaf

Congrats. Kids are great.
As per your bulk list...
Spit rags. Like, a lot. Softer the better.
Diapers obviously
Baby bottles and nipples.
Like DB said, wipes wipes wipes
I'd invest in a diaper genie
A couple of good tote bags that you wont mind getting screwed up.
A couple packs of tee shirts.
The ones you have wont all make it through his lol.
Good luck sir. I have 3 myself but my youngest just started 7th grade. The items change but the expense stays the same it seems lol.

I dont know, it depends on the mom. I'd start with helping mom instead of trying to take care of the minion..omg that word.. baby. she may be sensitive at the start and may want to do everything herself. You need to watch her to understand that part at the start. if she isnt willing to let you do many things with the baby like feeding, changing, even holding, at start, let it be. But offer side assistance always.

Whisky....

For you, not the baby obviously.

if she didnt tell you what you need to buy a lot yet, you are #ed.

We never had clean shirts because of all the burp ups. Have towels handy and lots of old t-shirts. Still the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

a reply to: Irishhaf

We just used a laundry basket for our 9 lb 7 oz potato. She had a crib ready to go but had colic at the 4 day mark and I had had a c-section. I still can't believe how fast she outgrew that basket. We bought all her baby clothes at the second hand store because she grew out of everything so rapidly. She was always in the 95 percentile.

- sleep when baby sleeps. Don't stress about a clean house, dishes, etc. It is vital to sleep and keep yourself at coping levels.
- buy baby clothes at second hand stores. Baby clothes are SO expensive and your child will most likely only wear the outfit once before he/she grows out of it.
- do not allow anyone to criticize you or make you feel you are doing anything less than an ideal job (there are opinions galore and they love to shove their great knowledge and holier than thou attitude on new parents
- you will feel like throwing your precious little angel out the windows when the crying won't stop or you are just so tired you no longer function. It's okay and recommended to just let baby cry in a room while you leave the room and compose yourself.
- those feelings of overwhelming tiredness and overwhelming moments in general will hit often but they disappear as quickly
- always, always pack an extra set of clothing anywhere you go. My baby had explosive diarrhea (from the colic for 5 months) and it would happen at the worst times and most inconvenient times
- trust your gut
- get the baby Tylenol (if you choose to give meds) and read up on fevers so that you are prepared. An electronic ear thermometer will become your best friend. My child had constant ear infections and I bought a cheap otoscope. I knew exactly when a new infection was brewing and what I was dealing with. Because with an ear infection little baby will turn into a Tasmanian devil. And if you choose to use antibiotics and IF baby needs antibiotics baby will feel relief within about three hours and then sleep blissfully while healing. So don't despair - ear infections are not the end of the world ((it's usually the eustachian tube not done growing yet).
- If Mom is relaxed, then baby is relaxed. Take care of Mom, but make sure to take care of yourself too. It's not a race or a competition as some parents think. Just be Daddy and Mummy. You will quickly turn into one tight family unit and the rest of the world exists outside of your own
- tell Mom not to stress about what her birthing experience will be like. I was so fixated on how would I know if baby was coming. She WILL know. And do not expect a perfect birth - be prepared for the possibility of all sorts of surprises. Just go with the flow. Baby will come into the world and you two will roll with the events that unfollow.
- Be prepared to experience love unlike anything you could ever imagine and delight in this perfect, amazing little soul that will open up your entire world and give meaning to your life. It's beyond comprehension.

Congrats! You are going to do amazing!!

Grab some new books and a clip-on led reading lamp, some nights when it's your turn, they'll come in handy.

And wipes, lots and lots of wipes.

Just a word of caution: Don't get all caught up in all the baby crap being sold these days. Within months that stuff is put in boxes and stored for years til sold at a garage sale. Stick to the baciscs-and only all cotton everything.

Remember it's her body going through all of this. You can only be a Dad-so be a good one and be there as her strength when she's worn out-just be the man-that's everything she really needs.

a reply to: Irishhaf

A more serious question for the dads, how in the sphincter of zeus's butt hole do you make it through the last month sane?

You dont.
Period
You regain the sanity once you hold the little package for the first time
That is when you come to the realization of what life really is
Then , you will spend many , many sleepless nights until they are adult and leave home
Yet , it does not stop there
"Sometimes they come back , again" and again, and again - something like a bad Stephen King novel.
A parent's job is never over
I know , I have 3 now middle-aged.
Dont forget the pacifier. They call it that for a reason you will soon learn

a reply to: Irishhaf
One word of advice......RUN!!!!!!
no seriously, you'll survive....if you're lucky

The USAF really boned us, by forcing her to PCS back stateside at the 7 month mark so we were limited on what we could pre buy since it wouldnt be here when the kid arrived.

So we got back and we have been buying like crazy while also trying to job hunt, find lodging a car etc.

Thanks for the list and if others see stuff that was missed please add on it.

I am looking forward to meeting the boy, Wifes step mom is coming to stay with us for a few weeks to help us get settled in with the minion.

a reply to: Irishhaf

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I haven't and don't plan on minions so congratulations is all I got.

Make sure you are ready for no sleep. Help your wife out as much as possible with simple chores. Never give up on your kids. At some point (when they get older) they may seem hopeless and asking for a whooping, but if you raise them right with love and respect (especially between you and your wife), things will come around.

Remember, no one, not even your kid, is perfect..which is a hard thing to remember because initially they seem perfect.

a reply to: Irishhaf

After her baby shower we had enough diapers to last 3 months. Even still, always buying diapers and wipes. Wipes are good for many things so buy the bulk pack always!

While she is snoring and farting and chewing her way through the pregnancy, think of how she feels looking at you getting your full nights sleep and fitting in the same clothes, eating what you want, drinking and the ability to just be!

In all seriousness, once you see the kid, you will forget all of this and the months prior for quite awhile.

Congo-rats!

a reply to: Irishhaf

Good luck and congrats.

Since your bambino is a big one, the newborn diapers might not fit, so don't buy a ton at first. My brother in law swore by Amazon prime for diapers, you might want to check that out.

You do realize that YOU are the Minion, not the other way around right?

Watch out for when she starts nesting and just let her do her thing. It's probably the last time your house will be spotless for years!

Well seeing as you have given up the drink for so long, why not extend it, responsible adult and all that stuff
Your missus is going to be a ball of hormones, just love and care for her, she will do the baby thing naturally. Your support will put her at peace

I second whiskey. And wipes, diapers, wipes, oh also, boudreaux's diaper rash cream! I dont think I saw that mentioned yet but that or baby powder is important. They will be #ting like crazy and you will give them a rash in the nether regions inadvertently.

And do not expect to say sane, it is impossible. Sneak away for a smoke or to punch a wall or whatever your thing is occasionally.

It gets a lot easier once they are five, especially if you are prepared to spank them early on when necesarry.
Trust me.

Im sure it gets worse again around 12yo until about 17 but Im not there yet.

The last month, when I came home from work , open the door and threw in my hat, if it came back all chewed upped, I would proceed to the garage for a beer or 20 and prepare for the hellstorm coming.

Both kids were suppose to be 12 lbs, both healthy and 8 pounds. Both by c section and scheduled because they were past the due date.

Prepare to get all kinds of stuff on you like crap and pee and vomit. Don't get to excited , or the baby will cry. Remain calm and pamper both baby and mama. Be prepared to get very little sleep. Always remember , mama needs alot of help. Pick up the slack in household chores.

Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!