If you buy a new car seat and if you have a newer car (not sure of the date 2000 I think) they are equipeed with the latch system. Ask about it when buying your car seat it makes installing the seat a breeze.

First of all - Congratulations.

I have 3 daughters, so I have been through this a few times. You have received great advice from the members on the forum and have little to add. Like many, I subscribed to the idea that your mind is the best survival tool you have. That all of the kits, supplies and hardware you have are nothing more then the icing on the cake if you have prepared yourself mentally and spiritually through training and thought. Likewise, the best advise I can offer you is not what is; the best crib, book to read, class to take or car seat, but rather suggest you approach this most important stage in your life with love and awe.

Be happy-

Love your wife, and make sure she is the best friend you have in the whole world. Make your family a haven where your children can turn to in times of trouble. No matter how well or poorly they meet your expectations, make sure they know you love them and can always rely upon you. Whatever your religious beliefs might encompass, rely upon what strength you derive from that belief and know you are not alone in the world.

Be happy-

Every child is different, some will challenge your every moment of existence, and some will just fall naturally into the dynamics of your family. Some may be just like you, others as different as day and night, but all will change you forever.

Most of all – Be happy

Pete

Here's all the gear a baby needs:

Mom.
Dad.
Clean Diapers.
A Baby Sling.
A Britax Car Seat. (don't screw around with any others, I've seen how crap like "Evenflo" and "Graco" performs in an accident, you DON'T want it!)

You don't need bouncing, vibrating, beeping, whooshing, whirling doo-dads.
You don't need things the light up, make sounds, have "high contrast visual stimulation" and are "educational" . Children learn from life, not devices.

Also, you don't need a high chair, special dishes, cribs, oddly-shaped pillows or anything else. Babies need little more than mom and a warm place for the first year, quite frankly they don't know or care if they are living in a school bus or in a palace.

I have two kids, and for the first, we were gear-heads to the extreme, we've learned much since my second child - my daughter - was born at home, as planned. The main thing we've learned is that it's all marketing hype - the mountains of crud they tell you you "need" is nothing more than stuff they are pushing on you because they think they can. It's useless junk. Pick up the baby and provide comfort when it's sad, wrap it in a blanket when it's cold, and above all TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS - NOTHING ELSE. If it feels right, it IS right. If it feels wrong, it IS wrong.

Best of luck to you, it's great fun to be a dad!

Congrats, first time dad myself. My lil boy just turned 10 months. Its the biggest rush you will ever experience. Lots of great advice already posted. I did get "The expectant father" and "the new father" by Armin A. Bott, written by a dad for dads also talks about what your partners going through and how to help YOU deal with it. " What to do when your expecting" another great book. Congradulationson your new addition......... <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thank you all for the advice. I knew that I would get some solid info here. Things are progressing nicely, as nicley as can be for being just about 5-6 weeks along.

Thank you all again for the help. I am going to print this off for me to reference in my shopping trips to the baby stores!

Garrett

Enjoy the 2nd Trimester when it arrives...

1st Trimester her body is adapting to the new life within, complete with morning (or should that be '23 1/2 hour')
sickness, hormonal overload & mood swings, etc. -- at the same time, reality is setting in for you, and you'll
go through times questioning if you're 'ready' to be a father / ready to provide for your child (takes on a new
urgency when it's not just 'you two', but a new, completely dependent person enters the picture)

The 2nd Trimester seems to be nature's 'breather' for you. She's 'used to being pregnant' (my wife's words, not
mine), her body has adapted to the new demands & you've adapted as well. Morning sickness is usually gone.
Enjoy your last days as 'just two', 'cause once the 3rd Trimester kicks in, life's changes become apparent.

3rd Trimester. Things get bigger (your ab. as well as hers -- but hers will drop faster! <G>). Nights get
longer, with quite a few trips to the bathroom -- gives you a chance to get used to it, as 'midnight feedings' are
a misnomer, most newborns want to eat every couple of hours to start with! Nesting instinct will kick in,
and you'll be moving a lot of furniture around (if not repainting the room / house)).

Enjoy it all. You're only a first-time father once, and any future pregnancies won't be the same.

My first child waited until the day after Father's day to be born. She's been just as stubborn ever since!

kf