The Baby-Proofing Begins!

[Brian757]

Thank you everyone for the kind words, and I am truly excited. I plan to propose before the baby is born, and will consider keeping my mods. I know the portable dvd players/monitors that hang on the headrest are miracle workers.

I have installed car seats in my 4runner for my sister to babysit. And I was taught by my local fire station, they are quite informative.

All I can do is move one step at a time, and enjoy every moment. I hang out with my friends who are married and have young ones, and the little boys always say we drive "monster trucks."

I will update this thread as I get more info. My girlfriend is already moody, hormonal, and tired. But she is strong and tries to make it throughout my busy day with me. And I know what everyone means by, a happy girlfriend, a happy life. If shes not happy, your not happy, thats just how it is.

Thank you again everyone!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Congrats!!!!

So I found out two weeks ago that my girlfriend of 4 years is pregnant.

I read this so fast I thought it said my GF is 4 years pregnant lol. Cut me some slack I'm a few beers deep.

 

[madetomeasure]

Congrats man!
my 3.5 yr old boy and my 14 mo old boy both love the truck. My older guy helps me wrench on it all the time. He gets a stool to get a tool of the pegboard and tries to turn bolts and make noise.

You're gonna have a blast.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Not 4Runner specific, didn't have mine when the kids were young, but here is my 2cents.

4x4Mike is correct. Don't plan on you or their mother sitting in the back with them. Just like he said, it creates expectations. I would not go out of your way to create a "quiet" environment. In the car or at home, there is value in raising a child that can fall asleep with ambient noise. That same child will also sleep through a little noise throughout their life. That way a little thunder, company or ... will not wake the sleeping child.

All effort should be spent on safety and comfort. Correct car seats and temp control.

In the end - - - Congrats ! ! !

It's quite a journey and it goes soooooooo fast.

Two more bits of extreme wisdom:
When they wake up at night, just get the job done. Whether it be for food or a diaper, get in, get out. Don't turn on lights, don't hold a "conversation". This is not play time. This way they will only call for you when needed, not for affection or playtime. This will be hard at first, but will pay HUGE dividends as you go forward.

Go easy and go used for clothing. They grow so fast that they will not wear anything out. Your favorite summer outfit WILL NOT fit them next summer. This is true for the first decade plus.

Enjoy!

I 2nd that noise is a good thing. We put our twins down to music every time they sleep.

 

[Nero]

[MENTION=80645]VaYotaDude[/MENTION] I'd love to see some pics of your setup if you wouldn't mind. I bought my T4R because we have a baby on the way also; didn't want to stuff a kid in the back of my tC.

 

[ghjhmhmhu]

If you have cloth seats don't forget to add Scotchgard to that list!

 

[jasonoflivingston]

The following was some of the most important advice that I received and it helped me out a lot.

First, when the baby is first born, don't try to be especially quiet around them. They will be tired enough to sleep regardless and will get accustomed to sleeping through noise. We used to watch action movies in the home theater while my daughter slept early on. Now, once she is out, she is out. It makes a world of difference for car travel.

Second. Because there are no clip in points for car seats in the 4runner, having a baby carrier that clips into a base is a huge time/hassle saver.

Finally, those baby seat clips are metal and get very very hot during the summer when the vehicle sits. Be sure to park in the shade when you can and to check them before attempting to strap your little one in. They can burn pretty bad on tender skin.

J

 

[Forrrrest]

[MENTION=80645]VaYotaDude[/MENTION] tahnks you helped ease my mind a little. My girlfriend is giving birth in the next week. Shes having all kinds of contractions

 

[98LtdT4R]

Congrats man! I know the rush of emotions you describe, as I have a baby boy on the way due in early October with my girlfriend of 2 and a half years. I'm glad you made this thread, since I have some work to do as well to get it as safe and comfortable as possible for both the girlfriend and our son. Whoever thought I'd be looking into buying running boards after removing and selling them? Haha. I'll definitely be looking at this thread in the coming months and look forward to see what wisdom other 3rd gen fathers have to offer. Thanks a ton to those who have contributed great info already.

 

[downpour11]

Thank you everyone for the kind words, and I am truly excited. I plan to propose before the baby is born

Don't let her read this thread!!

 

[Forrrrest]

Congrats man! I know the rush of emotions you describe, as I have a baby boy on the way due in early October with my girlfriend of 2 and a half years. I'm glad you made this thread, since I have some work to do as well to get it as safe and comfortable as possible for both the girlfriend and our son. Whoever thought I'd be looking into buying running boards after removing and selling them? Haha. I'll definitely be looking at this thread in the coming months and look forward to see what wisdom other 3rd gen fathers have to offer. Thanks a ton to those who have contributed great info already.

Hahaha dont buy runnimg boards just carry around a step stool. Thats what ive been doing for the past month or 2 and i have sliders for her to stand on. But iff you do go get some ive got a set laying on the side yard.

 

[5RUNNERZ]

congrats! def x 2 on the step stool!

 

[bikerjosh]

Congrats

Congrats man, it is an adventure. My 16 month old just woke up and greeted me with a big smile standing in crib saying dada.

Everyone has given pretty good advice for the truck, although I went a different route as my 4runner has become very modded. I threw down some cash and bought an 04' Honda Odessey van to cart her around and left the 4runner for my solo trips. Some people hate mini vans, but just got back from a 3 day trip to Monterey with the little one and all her stuff(btw-taking trips with the baby requires a crap load of extra stuff). There is something pretty nice about cruising at 80mph turning 2200 rpm with the rear ac blowing and the kid sleeping. There will be plety of time once she is in a forward facing car seat for seat time in the 4runner.

Oh yeah the drone of exhaust (as long as it isn't deafing) and big tires will act just like a sound machine for the little one.
Congrats

 

[Brian757]

Congrats!!!!
I read this so fast I thought it said my GF is 4 years pregnant lol. Cut me some slack I'm a few beers deep.

Haha! I know, it seemed like it said that at first to me as well. Its all good, and thank you for the congrats, and the laugh too!

Congrats man!
my 3.5 yr old boy and my 14 mo old boy both love the truck. My older guy helps me wrench on it all the time. He gets a stool to get a tool of the pegboard and tries to turn bolts and make noise.
You're gonna have a blast.

I hope they like my truck. And believe me, my little guy will be wrenching with me as soon as he can walk, haha! I can't wait to leave my impression on someone so dear to me, and have someone look up to me. It's going to be a lot of work, but I am ready. That's cute of your child though, I pray mine is healthy and energetic as yours!

[MENTION=80645]VaYotaDude[/MENTION] I'd love to see some pics of your setup if you wouldn't mind. I bought my T4R because we have a baby on the way also; didn't want to stuff a kid in the back of my tC.

I have been thinking about this as well [MENTION=80645]VaYotaDude[/MENTION]. I would really like to see your setup, as I may just take that route. I want a stroller that doubles as a car seat, so I want the car seat dock that accept the stroller seat. I have really been looking into the Graco strollers/seats/bassinets.

[MENTION=80645]VaYotaDude[/MENTION] tahnks you helped ease my mind a little. My girlfriend is giving birth in the next week. Shes having all kinds of contractions

Congratulations Forest! Good luck, and I remember that I will be there with you, but a little bit later. I wish you the best in delivery and from then on! You will never have the same joy as you will holding your child for the first time. Cherish that moment, I know I will.

Congrats man! I know the rush of emotions you describe, as I have a baby boy on the way due in early October with my girlfriend of 2 and a half years. I'm glad you made this thread, since I have some work to do as well to get it as safe and comfortable as possible for both the girlfriend and our son. Whoever thought I'd be looking into buying running boards after removing and selling them? Haha. I'll definitely be looking at this thread in the coming months and look forward to see what wisdom other 3rd gen fathers have to offer. Thanks a ton to those who have contributed great info already.

Thank you very much for the kind words. The emotions have calmed down quite a bit. I'm just trying to be strong for my girlfriend, have put her on prenatal vitamins, and we walk at a local park everyone other day. We now work for a little one, not ourselves anymore. This thread has given me strength as well, and I thank everyone for that!

Don't let her read this thread!!

Haha, I won't
She is more concerned with stealing my food, being moody, being lovey, and passing out randomly. I also need to sit down with her father and discuss marriage, so that will come first. Life is already moving quickly, but I just try to slow it all down for my girlfriend, because I know she's going through a lot already.

congrats! def x 2 on the step stool!

That is a great idea, and I am sure I will invest in one eventually. Probably around the time I am getting harassed about how my truck is too big, and that it is a pain in the butt, and so forth.

Congrats man, it is an adventure. My 16 month old just woke up and greeted me with a big smile standing in crib saying dada.

Everyone has given pretty good advice for the truck, although I went a different route as my 4runner has become very modded. I threw down some cash and bought an 04' Honda Odessey van to cart her around and left the 4runner for my solo trips. Some people hate mini vans, but just got back from a 3 day trip to Monterey with the little one and all her stuff(btw-taking trips with the baby requires a crap load of extra stuff). There is something pretty nice about cruising at 80mph turning 2200 rpm with the rear ac blowing and the kid sleeping. There will be plety of time once she is in a forward facing car seat for seat time in the 4runner.

Oh yeah the drone of exhaust (as long as it isn't deafing) and big tires will act just like a sound machine for the little one.
Congrats

Haha, I am very jealous right now of that. And I'm sure you've never felt so proud in your life, than now, looking at your child. Hearing that from you Josh makes me look forward to holding my little one, and being with my family.

Thank you for the info and congrats as well. I am going to try and modify my truck to cope with toting a child around. My girlfriend has a VW Passat, but it isn't the most reliable vehicle in the world, ya know? We will make it, and I understand the whole minivan thing, but hope that I can go without that at the moment. I am going to take plenty of pictures with my child in my truck, and altogether. And I will certainly post them here. But thank you all for the kind words.

 

[fightman80]

I've got no advice to give, that hasn't been given already... so I'll just say this.... CONGRATS MAN!

Your life is going to change drastically, but in a great way! As I'm sure you already know.... life will be hectic, sometimes tiring.... just remember to do yourself and the wife a favor.... take the time to go on dates!

My wife and I, try to get away at least, once a month! Take her to a movie, dinner, anything.... just get out, and treat your woman to a night on the town!

Well look at that... I went and gave advice anyway! CONGRATS AGAIN!

 

[Brian757]

I've got no advice to give, that hasn't been given already... so I'll just say this.... CONGRATS MAN!

Your life is going to change drastically, but in a great way! As I'm sure you already know.... life will be hectic, sometimes tiring.... just remember to do yourself and the wife a favor.... take the time to go on dates!

My wife and I, try to get away at least, once a month! Take her to a movie, dinner, anything.... just get out, and treat your woman to a night on the town!

Well look at that... I went and gave advice anyway! CONGRATS AGAIN!

Haha, thank you fightman for the kind words. And I know we will need some alone time. We have two loving families that are willing to help us at any time, and that includes babysitting, so that is huge.