when my sister had a baby her husband was asking around for the same type of thing. he bought her a really nice cashmere dressing gown/housecoat to wear when their son was screaming for her in the middle of the night.

I had thought of that. I think her mother took care of that already, but I'll have to check.

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

The thing that most new mothers need is time to take care of themselves. That may mean time to take a nap, time to go for a walk, time to take a bath...whatever. However, that's not really a gift you can wrap up and give her on Saturday.

Short of that, how about a shopping trip to her favorite running store for some new stuff? Her body shape is going to be different after the baby - even after she loses the baby weight - so she might need some new running/workout clothes. My feet are one size bigger now, so she might need new running shoes. Besides, it's always fun to get new workout clothes.

Another nice thought is a beautiful leather-bound writing journal. I just got one from my husband recently. I wish I had started when my kids were young, but better late than never. If she writes down a few thoughts each night as your child grows, that would be a wonderful thing to share with him/her when they are older.

If she doesn't already have one, an ipod that she can take while going on a walk/hike with the baby is also a good idea. Lots of podcasts that she can download. When you're home with a newborn baby, there's a lot of alone time.

I have a friend at work due in 2 months.

Before she knew she was pregnant (though she was having morning sickness; at least she threw up after the race and we decided to blame the baby), but she was preggers, I ran her in in a half. My bf took some pictures, and she'd asked for one for the baby book she's making.

Something like that might be nice - a framed pic of her running while pregnant? Don't know if she did any races, but my friend is really excited about the picture, b/c it's the first race she ran with her baby :)

This is baby related, but it's really helpful for a new mom/runner - do you already have a jog stroller? Invaluable :)

As a new mom the BEST gift I received was dinners. My friends got together and every other night someone brought my family dinner (cooked and ready) to eat...this lasted for 3 months! I tell you what, knowing that I never had to think about cooking anything in the evening (when I was completely wore out) was priceless for me. Each person made enough for 2 meals. Anyhow it might be something you suggest to her friends. Congrats too btw. :)

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Life is Short...Run Long

A friend gave my a gift certificate for a pedicure. It felt great when I couldn't touch my own toes!

I would have loved a treadmill for those first few months when you cant take the baby in a jogging stroller, and later for bad weather or times when you just can't get out and dont have babysitting.

Make a coupon book for naps, meals, getting up in the middle of the night (we alternated on that one), escape from the house for a run, shopping spree, night out with the girls, housework,...

Nice thing about the meals was I really had to learn to cook... her big payoff came later after she started working as a tax accountant. Jan 1 to April 15 I'm a skilled house husband : )

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Jay