Pregnancy Itching

The wife has developed an itchy rash on her legs. We called the doctor a few times and he said it is not much to be worried about. He said to try Calamine lotion and if it gets really bad, then she can take a benadryl. I have been doing a lot of reading on the Internet and it sounds like it might be a condition called PUPPP. PUPPP is a rash developed during pregnancy that is really annoying, but of no harm to mommy or baby. There is another more serious condition that can have itching called Cholestasis. It apparently has to do with something about the bile in the body not being able to flow regularly through the gallbladder. This itching is more commonly on the hands and feet (which my wife doesn't have). It can also be accompanied by dark or unusual colored urine or jaundice in the skin tone. So luckily it doesn't sound like this is the culprit behind my wife's rash. The rash has started to calm down over the past few days so we are hoping it just kind of fades away.

Only 3 months to go before baby comes!!! We can't wait.

What?? Having a Baby Changes Your Life??

Why is it that every person who has children and finds out that my wife and I are expecting is compelled to tell me all about how my life will never be the same. Some even ask, "Are you sure you are ready for a baby?" I am always kind and listen to their stories about how their lives are so different with kids or I am kind in responding that yes, my wife and I are ready for a baby. What I really want to say is, "No way, my life is going to change?? I guess I shouldn't have been consistently having unprotected sex with my wife!"

If I wanted my life to remain exactly how it is than I wouldn't have kids. Why is it people don't get this?? And why is it so hard for people who don't want, or aren't quite ready for kids to wear a condom or be on birth control?

You see, I understand that I am going to be responsible for this child forever and there will be sleepless nights, dirty diapers, crying, stressful moments, spit-up...and that's just the beginning of the list. I also understand that my wife and I won't be able to just do whatever we want anymore and when we need to go somewhere we will have to take the baby or find a babysitter. I understand all this because this is the kind of stuff that comes with having a baby! Do people really not know this? Honestly it baffles me.

Pimping Out Your Baby

The past few weeks we have been doing lots of baby gear shopping. I knew that babies needed lots of stuff, I just had no idea how much of it was out there. I am starting to think that MTV should make a show called "Pimp My Baby." Of course there are the necessities, stroller, car seats, crib, etc. But there is a whole lot of, dare I say "crap," out there that isn't necessary at all, but we buy it anyway. For example, I recently saw "Bling Bling" Binkies that are studded with jewels. Luckily for me, we are having a boy and the jeweled Binky thing was a little feminine. But that is only one example of the multi-million dollar baby gear market. Even the necessary items are pretty crazy. Strollers are a lot like cars, you can get a basic $80-120 "pinto" model with no extras or you can pay $1000 or more for the "hummer" model that has drink cup holders, hydraulic brakes, off road tires, etc. I mean it is pretty sad that my infant will have a more expensive bedroom set than my wife and I. I guess this is whole "forking over the money" is just preparing me for what it will be like for the next 20 years.