When it comes to gifts, let others buy the burp cloths -- you can supply some of the newborn's first sights and sounds.

We compiled custom CDs of nursing and bedtime tunes (see and download playlist below), and we made scrapbooks to show Baby who's who in her new world: grandparents-to-be emailed us family photos (including one of Serge and Jane, Doug and Rachel's pups) and we made color printouts and corresponding labels, sticking them into books using double-sided archival tape. Kolo "Lux Cortina" album, $22, aifriedman.com

Nursing and Bedtime Playlist
"C'est Si Bon," Eartha Kitt
"Popsicle Toes," Michael Franks
"Banana Pancakes, "Jack Johnson
"Blackbird," The Beatles
"Stay Up Late," Talking Heads
"I'll Stand By You," Pretenders
"Hearts and Flowers," Joan Armatrading
"I Get a Kick Out of You," Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
"Little One," Beck
"Little Star," Madonna
"Butterfly," Lenny Kravitz

Download this playlist here.*  

*You must have iTunes to download this playlist.