My eBa(b)y Addiction (27 weeks, 1 day)

I have this one question: how did people have children before the internet? It is absolutely incomprehensible to me...Sure, sure, parenthood is one of those "since the dawn of mankind" things, but it could not have been easy and I'm not sure how we survived as a species. I would easily say my time online has at least doubled since we decided to have a baby. First there were the websites about getting pregnant. Those were then followed by first and second trimester boards and now onto third trimester.

I say this with only a hint of irony that internet is only a close second behind Aaron in this pregnancy. Aaron's great and all, but the internet helped me: research the midwife practice and hospital I go to, find the Bradley birth classes, research baby products and clothes, register for breastfeeding class, answer questions about health and baby development, and, recently, post silly pictures of my pets and vent about fender benders.

My biggest time consumer, though, is shopping on eBay. It is so much so that I often think "eBaby" instead of "eBay". Just yesterday, I bought a baby food recipe book/storage kit, striped baby socks, and socks with monkeys (and a supercute outfit for nephew Zachary). All NIB/NIP/NWT/mint condition! I have also bought crib bedding, nursery stuff, and boutique clothes, all for 50% or less of retail. I live online looking for the must have Maclaren stroller we covet, crib, monitor, car seat etc.

What renewed my eBay relationship was the Le Top outfit at right. We saw it for $50 at an online boutique, but I would never buy it for that, even if it is the cutest baby outfit I have ever seen. It is a footed onesie and matching velour jacket with a puppy in a plane. The onesie has puppies on the feet and the jacket has puppy ears! I have complained that baby boy clothing is dominated by this theme of bears/puppies on some form of transportation, but I forgive this outfit that cliche. My picture does it no justice at all. I found it on eBaby for so much less that I won't feel bad if Sprout wears it only once or twice. And, speaking of places I spend time, let me not forget to mention Freecycle and Craig's List. I'm not a big shopper. I really am not. I am too cheap for that and I don't think I am materialistic. But, online bargain shopping is so rewarding.

What would I do without highspeed internet? Could I feel ready for Sprout without it? I'm just glad that I don't have to face the answer to that question.

I'll try to post tomorrow after the latest midwife appointment.