As one of the internet’s biggest self-professed “Dadvocates,” I revel in guy friendly baby gear. I’m one of those guys who absolutely loves having just the right bag, duffel or ruck for the right situation and so I have, let’s just say, a “few” bags at home. It’s like many of our dads told us, “the right tool, for the right job.” Knowing that you guys don’t necessarily want to carry the lovely bag your wife uses that she got from her baby shower, I thought I’d apprise you of your options. What do you want in a daddy diaper bag? Skulls and flames? Camo? Sports team’s logos and colors? Maybe you’re in the market for something a little more refined, but whatever you’re looking for, dozens of dad approved designs are just a mouse-click away! So, buckle up and hold on as we take a brief look at a few.

Diaper Bags for Men

My search for the coolest diaper bags for men showed me one thing, you can find them in traditional brick and mortar stores, but you’ll probably find the widest array of options online. The first site which caught my eye was:

• Diaper Dude – This site doesn’t cater specifically to dad and offers stylish baby gear for mom as well but their selection of dad approved baggage is great! Their style offerings aren’t so varied as you get essentially three to choose from: backpack, messenger, and satchel. Those three styles do come in a variety of colors and with a few different graphic design elements to choose from. The Diaper Dude Deluxe Dude and Diaper Dude Pleather Messenger II in brown are among my favorites, along with the camo options of course. A great feature of this site is the videos included on the product pages showing the bag’s features.

• DadGear – floored me with a huge selection of well thought out gear in a variety of designs and styles. This site offers dads designs in everything from camo, to urban professional, to collegiate team colors and some interesting innovations. For styles you get: backpacks, messengers, satchels, courier bags and their innovative line of vests and jackets. There are so many bags to look at; I suggest you take on that task. What I want to show you here are the diaper vests. Yes, you heard it! Diaper vests. Now you can wear your diaper bag and no one’s the wiser. I’d suggest keeping the vest (and Cargo Jacket) to those short jaunts with baby where you won’t need the full complement of childcare accouterments but you should be good to go for your morning jog, or short trips around town running errands. As with Diaper Dude you can also watch videos of their products.

Designer Diaper Bags

If you’re in the mood for high end, dad baggery with flair, then check out the following sites:

• Storksak – carries the diaper bag of choice that dad of dads, Brad Pitt uses. It’s called the Jamie 601 and is offered in black and brown.

• Next up is Fleurville – Fleurville’s DJ Bag is actually my favorite look of all the bags mentioned here and is available in several colors, including a very cool British style desert camo pattern.

And there you have it dads, bags o’ plenty! Whether you are fashion forward, a rugged outdoorsman, sporty, or the business professional, you will find something that has synergy with your style sensibilities.

Honorable Mention

For those of you who like one stop shopping, check out Babies R’ Us as they carry several of these brands, including bags by Timberland and Eddie Bauer. If you’ve found some daddy bag awesomeness that we didn’t feature here, post up a link in the comments and share with the rest of us.

After months of waiting, the time has come and gone. For a little under a year you’ve rubbed feet, and lower back. You’ve braved various “birthing” classes and read as many books as your time allowed. You’ve been given tips from other fathers, whether solicited, or not. The moment you were waiting for has come and gone. Now, one of the most incredible moments of your life, the birth of your first child, has given way to something else. After all the preparation you’ve now set about the task of figuring out what exactly it is you’re to do with this newborn baby. And quite frankly, you’re left scratching your head like that guy in the produce aisle who stands there glazed over, seemingly overwhelmed at the enormity of what is in front of him.

Infant Bonding

It’s no secret that many men look at the early bond between mother and infant and wonder “Where do I fit in?” You look at that beautiful infant who seemingly does nothing but poop, cry, eat and sleep and wonder, “What can I do? She/he doesn’t do anything?” So, you fall back on those masculine instincts and decide that you’ll do what you know. You’ll take those gadgets you bought in anticipation of the birth and capture everything your baby does. Around this same time you also begin to imagine all the things you can do with your child when he or she is older. The footballs you’ll throw, or the suitors you’ll scare off. The first birdhouse you will build together or the father/daughter dance. All those wonderful things you’ll do when your little one “does more.” Some guys I know feel guilty for having these thoughts or feelings but for men who, by nature of the process, are not as bonded physically with the infant, these feelings are quite natural.

Allow me to offer up this notion. To reconnect, live in the moment. You see, in order to journal everything through the lens of a camera or camcorder, you have to step back from the action a bit and disconnect. To help you stay in the moment, I’ve given you something you’ll probably like…a list. Trust me, time goes by fast and before you know it you’ll be sending your new bundle of joy off to college and wondering where the time went.

Newborn Parenting: Dad’s List

• Help with breast feeding - I know you may be thinking, “What can I possibly to do help with that?” You can actually help ensure that the baby is properly “latched” on to mommy as she might not be able to tell from her angle. Prior to the actual feeding you may offer to make sure that mom has all the pillows she needs and is properly supported to comfortably feed baby. There are actually breast feeding pillows you can buy to help facilitate this, but in the absence of finances to purchase one, any pillow will do.

• Napping – I know you and mom may both be concerned about your ability to “be gentle” with baby, but I don’t think you’ll be crushing your little one any time soon, so take a nap with your baby. One of the most wonderful memories I have from when my daughter was an infant is a picture my wife took of me napping with her laying on my chest. I remember that day, dozing off, like it was yesterday and that picture only cements the wonderful bond I have had with my Princess since she was just a newborn. This benefits baby because he/she will get the chance to further become acquainted with daddy’s scent and let’s face it, this kind of tender, appropriately intimate moment never hurts!

• Include Baby – I have a friend who is a huge Patriots fan and since his infant was weeks old he has watched football games with her. Now that she’s old enough to hold her head up on her own and sit up, she sits right next to him on the couch during those marathon Sundays of football viewing. You know what? Now, she actually responds to him as he responds to the games! Just make sure that you bring baby into the game. You’ve got a captive audience. Involve baby and you’ll have a game buddy in no time. You see, you don’t need to wait for tomorrow to enjoy sports with your baby boy or girl. Today is a great day to start.

• Talk to Baby – Remember when baby was en utero and you used to talk to mommy’s tummy all the time? That doesn’t have to stop now that baby is born. Of course, you won’t be talking to the tummy any more, you actually get to talk to the baby directly so go ahead and tell him or her about all the wonderful things you’d like to do when they get older. Tell baby about your ideas and daydreams of tossing the ol’ pigskin around or donning a Tux for that Father/Daughter dance. You’ve got a captive audience and, ultimately, one which deeply desires to interact with you.

• Bathing – Last, but definitely not least, bathe baby on a regular basis. Make bath time your special time. Sing a funny song while bathing baby. Tickle your little one. This is play time for both of you and just another opportunity to nurture a bond that will hopefully last a lifetime.

The great thing about all of these tips is that not only you and baby benefit from your being “in the moment,” but mom benefits by getting a moment. She’s with baby day and night right now and getting some time to herself to sleep or do whatever she needs to recharge, will work wonders for everyone in the household.

According to recent reports, Elizabeth Hasselbeck of The View is now expecting her third child with husband Tim Hasselbeck. She made the announcement on her show and said she was a bit shocked at her new pregnancy.

Apparently she had spent a lot of time covering the recent Presidential race and thought she was just worn out from all the work. She was quoted as saying “I’m pregnant again! I’m due in August… We were thoroughly happy with the surprise of it. I didn’t even know for two months. I was walking around – I thought I had – I kept saying, ‘Electionitis, electionitis.” She added, “I was tired, I was nauseous, I thought I was worn out from the whole procedure. No. I was knocked up and didn’t realize it.”

The couple’s first child, Grace Elizabeth was born on April 6, 2005 and weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces. Their son, Taylor Thomas was born on November 9, 2007 and weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces. Hasselbeck and her husband were college sweethearts. She became a co-host of The View in November 2003. The show got big ratings thanks to some heated discussions she had with former co-host Rosie O’Donnell.

A personal quote from Hasselbeck found on imdb.com states “Pregnancy and motherhood are the most beautiful and significantly life- altering events that I have ever experienced.” I think that is a beautiful quote and probably sums it up for many women. Congratulations to the couple on this pregnancy, and we certainly wish them all the best.

Another expectant celeb is Chad Lowe. His girlfriend of two years, Kim Painter is expecting their first child. The baby, Lowe’s first is due this summer. He is the brother of actor Rob Lowe; Chad Lowe is probably best know as the ex-husband of  Oscar winning, actress Hilary Swank. They finalized their divorce in 2007.

A spokesperson for the couple was quoted as saying “The couple is overjoyed and could not be happier.” Lowe has been a fixture on TV for years appearing in shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Without a Trace and 24. In 1989 he won an Emmy for playing the character, Jesse McKenna, an AIDS victim in the show Life Goes On.

Congratulations to Chad Lowe on what will no doubt be his biggest role. We look forward to the good news of the bay’s arrival in the summer.