FORT WORTH, Texas _ Some pregnant women start thinking about their gift registry soon after they see the two pink lines on the home pregnancy test.

It's just so much fun creating your wish list of baby gear. (Also, it helps take your mind off morning sickness and swollen ankles.) Bedding sets in adorable themes, wipe warmers and baby cleansing products, humidifiers, sleep positioners, Boppies and Bumbos ... with so much merchandise out there, how do parents-to-be decide what they need? And how do well-meaning friends and relatives choose the perfect baby shower gifts?

As a BTDT (been there, done that) mom expecting my second baby, I found it a lot easier this time to cull through the ideas and to figure out what is cute but ultimately useless versus what would definitely get placed into service in the nursery. I've come up with 10 gift ideas, most of them new to the marketplace, that aren't the same-old, same-old. (Because, really, how many receiving blankets and onesies can one little baby go through?) And don't worry, I haven't left Dad out — he deserves some thoughtful gifts, too.

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

1. "BABY: UNIQUE MOMENTS," BY DAVID ELLWAND

The perks: This is a mom-to-be's dream baby book, with gorgeous pages of stunning photography that will bring tears to any pregnant woman's eyes. Sweet quotes and anecdotes come from luminaries such as Shakespeare and Mother Teresa, as well as authors, child psychologists and plain old parents. Vellum pages protect photos and add a beautiful flair to this extraordinarily designed book.

The useful quotient: There are pockets for keepsakes, such as Baby's hospital band or locks of hair, several spaces to attach precious photographs and plenty of room for Mom to record details of her pregnancy, the birth and Baby's development for the first year. It's absolutely the most gorgeous and well-designed baby book I've ever seen.

Get it: $11.55-$16.99 at target.com, amazon.com and Barnes and Noble bookstores

A PLACE FOR PAPERWORK

2. BABY BRIEFCASE

The perks: This is an excellent idea: a sturdy carrying case of expandable files for organizing all of your important baby documents, such as the birth certificate, insurance paperwork and immunization and health care records. There's a slot in front for Mom to personalize it with a photo of her new baby. This organizer is sturdy, yet compact and easy to carry around — plus it's way cute.

The useful quotient: It comes with a pack of extra file folders, wallet cards for important baby information and a handy list to help you keep track of gifts and thank-you notes. It's definitely something a mom would use, yet probably wouldn't buy for herself.

Get it: by Organized From the Start Inc., $29.95 at www.organizedfromthestart.com, amazon.com and various stores

FOR THE FIRST-TIME DAD

3. The Baby Owner's Starter Kit, by Louis Borgenicht, M.D., and Joe Borgenicht, D.A.D.

The perks: This adorable gift for a new dad features "The Baby Owner's Manual," a guide to childcare basics. Written like a car manual, the book provides more entertainment than anything, but perhaps the guy who has never changed a diaper or held a baby can learn something. Then there's the Operating Instructions Poster, again more for humor than practicality, which illustrates diapering and swaddling step by step. Also included is a "While We're Out" notepad for baby sitters, where parents can write down important emergency information and the sitter can take note of when the baby ate and slept. My favorite part of the package is a sturdy and extremely cute growth chart that is so nice I wouldn't be embarrassed to hang it in my living room. Finally, there is a magnet, because — well, I guess guys like magnets. All of this comes in a nice keepsake box.

The useful quotient: Only two of the items in this kit are truly useful, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's a hilarious, clever gift for a dad or first-time parents. If nothing else, it will be an excellent conversation piece.

Get it: $16.47-$24.95 at bookstores and amazon.com

A MANLY TOTE

4. SPARK BY SKIP HOP DIAPER BAG

The perks: No pastels or teddy bears for Dad; he won't be embarrassed to tote this messenger-style diaper bag. It's a sturdy canvas with a mess-proof interior and loads of pockets.

The useful quotient: It comes with a standard changing pad, and did I mention all the pockets? Everyone loves to get a diaper bag for a baby shower gift, and a mom can never have too many of them, so why not have one specifically for Dad, too?

Get it: Available in camouflage, $29.99 at diaperbags.com, various stores

MOTHERING IN STYLE

5. EDDIE BAUER CAMBRIDGE DUFFLE DIAPER BAG

The perks: This stylish bag looks like a purse but handles like a high-quality, high-function diaper bag. It's accented with faux suede, but it's water-resistant and easy to clean.

The useful quotient: This bag is spacious, with lots of interior and exterior pockets for storing odds and ends. It comes with a standard changing pad and a zippered bag to stow dirty items. The price is great for a bag this large and stylish, too.

Get it: $39.99 at www.toysrus.com, various stores

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

6. BABY CLOSET DIVIDERS

The perks: These adorable closet dividers from Sugar Booger are made of durable plastic and come in a pack of six to organize your baby's hanging clothes by size (newborn, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, and toddler +).

The useful quotient: These are a wonderful idea, because new moms start out with so many baby clothes in so many sizes that it's hard to keep them all straight. Simply hang these on the rod in Baby's closet for instant organization. Reasonably priced, too.

Get it: $8.49 at www.usababywis.com

A SWINGIN' SLING

7. HOTSLINGS BABY CARRIER

The perks: Hold Baby close to you, hands-free, without sacrificing style. Hotslings baby carriers were developed by Kristen DeRocha, a mother of two from Arlington who now lives in Dallas. DeRocha, 33, taught high school for six years before retooling a sling into a better-fitting, more stylish one — hence, the Hotsling. Compared with other slings on the market, this one is reasonably priced. "I wanted to create something a teacher could afford," DeRocha says. If you like Hotslings' style, watch for its new line of breastfeeding apparel, scheduled to launch next spring. DeRocha says she may venture into diaper bags as well.

The useful quotient: There are multiple carrying positions, it's great for nursing moms, and it's machine-washable. I found that you may need a second person to help you get it on and get the baby into it, but once you get used to it, this sling can be a great addition to your baby gear (and wardrobe!).

Get it: $39.99 at target.com; also available in several more styles and patterns at www.hotslings.com

SURF CITY, HERE WE COME

8. SURFBOARD TUMMY TIME MAT

The perks: This 21-inch-by-36-inch surfboard-shaped mat is great for giving infants their tummy time. It features a growth chart so you can measure your little one as he plays. It includes a mini-aquarium with floating sea creatures in it, and some detachable, linkable toys that you can use on strollers and car seats. There's also a detachable prop-up pillow. The playmat is available in blue or pink.

The useful quotient: Moms know infants need floor time and tummy time, and this adorable playmat gives Baby fun things to look at, reach for and grasp. The mini-aquarium part of the mat is difficult to fill with water, and the instructions say to drain the water daily, so after a few times, I would consider using the mat without water.

Get it: by Infantino, $19.69 on target.com

MAKE BATH TIME FUN

9. GERBER BARE BASICS GIFT SET

The perks: This gift set contains everything you need for Baby's bath time in a convenient, sturdy storage bin with a carrying handle. I love, love, love this bin and could see myself storing all of my baby's bath things in it; it would work great for travel, too.

The useful quotient: Skin-care and bath items are often overlooked for baby shower gifts because they're more useful than cute, but every new mom needs this stuff, and this particular gift set would probably last at least a year. It includes lavender wash and lotion, original wash, baby shampoo, vapor bath, a moisturizing stick, washcloths, a walrus bath toy and a Baby Genius bath time CD.

Get it: $29.99 at target.com

SMART STORAGE

10. ADEN STRIPE TWO-PIECE STORAGE SET

The perks: Fabric-lined baskets have been popular the past several years, but these collapsible bins take storage to a new level. They're stylish, functional and fold away neatly when you don't need them.

The useful quotient: One bin has dividers and carrying handles, and both bins are sturdy yet compact. These can be used to sort clothing, toiletries, diapering products, bibs, or whatever Mom needs.

Get it: by Sugar Booger, $37.99 at toysrus.com

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