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Robert and I have had numerous conversations with several couples having their first child on what to register for. I have used quite a few products in the last two years and evaluated their performance. I decided to write some reviews to help you choose the perfect gift (if you get invited to a baby shower) or to help you create your registry.

Things We Could NOT Live Without (in descending order):

10. Dr. Brown’s Bottles: Sure, you might as well get the BPA-free ones, although studies have shown that it really doesn’t matter. BPA is not as harmful as once thought. If your kid insists on physically eating the bottle, then DEFINITELY choose BPA-free;) The price is the same regardless. If you have a baby that has colic, reflux, or constant spit-up, you MUST have these bottles.

Pros:

Cons:

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Yes, after a long hiatus I return to post this: I have created a totally unscientific survey for you to play with.

/cue applause

You may participate in this totally unscientific survey here: Human Nature & Political Leanings. And lest you be concerned as to how much time you might actually waste/lose by participating, the survey consists of a whopping two questions:

1. Do you think humans are basically good, with a few bad tendencies? Or basically bad, with a few good tendencies?
2. How would you classify your political philosophy: liberal, conservative, or libertarian?

The near-realtime results are after the jump. Enjoy ;)

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Tyler James was born at 6:48pm March 5th after a very short 4 hours of labor (Nichole, as usual, is incredible). 7lbs 7oz, 19″, he and Nichole are doing absolutely perfect. Pictures coming soon :)

And yes, the rumors you’ve heard are true: the timing of Tyler’s arrival is due to castor oil. Remarkable.

UPDATED: pictures up on Picasa >>

That’s right campers — kid #2 is a boy! “Big Tater” (my nickname for him, even before we knew he was a boy, and pronounced with the most redneck accent you can manage) was a perfect patient for the ultrasound tech, posing nicely so she could verify the presence of his, ah, accessories. And he posed nicely pretty much the rest of the session — which hopefully is a reliable indicator of a more laid-back nature, as I don’t know that our sanity could survive two demanding babies :D.

The tech also went through all of the health checks that they do at this routine ultrasound, based on measurements of various things and eyeballing the formations that are visible. And, if you’ll permit me a nerd moment, this ultrasound machine was The Bomb: we could see all four chambers of his heart doing their thing. Amazing fidelity. Amazing. The only other substantial news is that they unofficially moved the due date up a week to March 10, 2008, so there’s now a very real chance that mama and baby could share a birthday.

Ultrasound pictures are here >>

BONUS! Video from today of Audrey walking across her bedroom! Woot! >>

So Nichole had her first pregnancy exam this Wednesday for Baby #2 — and, thanks to my new work location, I was able to come along (and help out with Audrey)! In short, everything looks perfect. We got to meet Nichole’s doctor (who actually did the ultrasound), and she seems really professional and kind — a most wonderful combo ;) The baby was 6weeks and 1day old as of Wednesday, which puts the due date right around March 17th. He’s only 0.47cm in size (about half the width of your pinky fingernail!), yet thanks to miracle of modern ultrasound, we were able to not only see him but see his heart beating!

We’ll post more news as we get it, of course. Oh: and if you have any boy names that you think would work, feel free to post ‘em :)