It's Official

At 33 and 27, Brandon and I (respectively) will be first-time parents. We waited to tell most people till we were 12 weeks along, though I was bursting at the seams to share the news. Some responses included:

"I'm so happy," said a wet-eyed Kathy.
"You could have fooled me!" exclaimed Mom, who answers my weekly baby questions with great patience.
"(Congratulations in Shona!)" Cindy and Declan
"I'm going to be an aunt again!" Stephanie, who quickly posted this to Facebook...
"Yep. You got knocked up. That's a kid alright!" Sydney
"Congrats! You guys will be great parents!" Anna
"I won't lie, I'm a little freaked out, but I'm excited for you!" Joanna
"What's in the water?" My principal, who added my to the list of 4 other teachers who are pregnant right now.

We have what seems like a billion logistics to figure out--how much time off work, and how to pay for it? The baby will need insurance, and eventually daycare...Good parenting strategies? When/where/how to afford Brandon's PhD? Which car seat is best? Birthing plan? A layette?

It's good to have questions, though, because it helps to pass the time. I'd rather have time to answer these questions than find out one week I'm pregnant and then just, splat, deliver the next week.

I've found three great resources so far:

1. What to Expect When You're Expecting
2. On Becoming Baby Wise
3. Baby Bargains

These books have suddenly become as engrossing as East of Eden. What to Expect, because it discusses the child's monthly development. Baby Wise, because it offers a plan for a feeding/waketime/napping routine that promises to have baby sleeping through the night by 12 weeks. A quote from Baby Wise: "Their babies truly exude happiness. They are well rested, secure in their parents' love." Finally, Baby Bargains, which breaks down the overwhelming market of baby products into necessary and ridiculous, and rates the best products.

So, here are some of the big products that look safe and affordable:

• Chicco Cortina Travel System: $300--infant carseat and stroller. Stroller is rated better than Gracco's stroller. Purchase a second base for Brandon's car.
• FischerPrice Zen High Chair: wood hybrid chair with muted green/brown palette and excellent features. $150
• Lands End Do-It-All Diaper Bag: practical and even Brandon could carry it.
• Baby Gap Organic Sheets: good price, simple

Of course, we're nowhere near shopping yet. I'm barely showing--just a bump that makes my jeans tight. I just want to know what to look for.