Weighing in on the pet question-
I'm not sure that my experience is representative, because my dog is such a low-maintenance old man, but I've found the whole thing really manageable. He definitely got less attention for the first six or eight weeks. But then, so did pretty much everyone else in my life. At some point, however, I came to realize that rather than dreading the additional chore of walking him around the block, I began to look forward to it. Our thrice-daily walks became a time to unwind, just a little bit, and take a break from all the people helping me to take care of the baby. (Don't get me wrong- it's amazing that I've had all these people, including my mother, helping. Sometimes, though, you just need a break. Or, I did at least.) Sometimes I leave the baby with whoever is in the house (mom, DP, friend). Sometimes I put her in her carrier and take her with me. Sometimes we stop along the way and have spontaneous conversations with people. Sometimes I use the time to call old friends on my cell phone. Sometimes I don't talk to anyone at all, I just breathe and walk and have a little me time. Now that it's getting colder, our walks have gotten shorter, and it is definitely more of a hassle to get the kid bundled up to take a brief walk. However, I've discovered that if I put her in her carrier in her regular clothes (not bothering with the huge fleecy bear suit, etc.) and then zip her into my own oversized sweatshirt, that makes the whole thing much easier.
Recently, she's started actually interacting a bit with the dog, and it's really cool. She reaches out to touch him, and stares and drools at him. He often hangs out under her bouncy chair, and seems to want to be around her. It's neat- I'm looking forward to teaching her about taking care of another living being.
But like I said, we're talking one geriatric chihuahua who would rather sleep than take a walk. No judgement on anyone else's situation.
I'm not sure that my experience is representative, because my dog is such a low-maintenance old man, but I've found the whole thing really manageable. He definitely got less attention for the first six or eight weeks. But then, so did pretty much everyone else in my life. At some point, however, I came to realize that rather than dreading the additional chore of walking him around the block, I began to look forward to it. Our thrice-daily walks became a time to unwind, just a little bit, and take a break from all the people helping me to take care of the baby. (Don't get me wrong- it's amazing that I've had all these people, including my mother, helping. Sometimes, though, you just need a break. Or, I did at least.) Sometimes I leave the baby with whoever is in the house (mom, DP, friend). Sometimes I put her in her carrier and take her with me. Sometimes we stop along the way and have spontaneous conversations with people. Sometimes I use the time to call old friends on my cell phone. Sometimes I don't talk to anyone at all, I just breathe and walk and have a little me time. Now that it's getting colder, our walks have gotten shorter, and it is definitely more of a hassle to get the kid bundled up to take a brief walk. However, I've discovered that if I put her in her carrier in her regular clothes (not bothering with the huge fleecy bear suit, etc.) and then zip her into my own oversized sweatshirt, that makes the whole thing much easier.
Recently, she's started actually interacting a bit with the dog, and it's really cool. She reaches out to touch him, and stares and drools at him. He often hangs out under her bouncy chair, and seems to want to be around her. It's neat- I'm looking forward to teaching her about taking care of another living being.
But like I said, we're talking one geriatric chihuahua who would rather sleep than take a walk. No judgement on anyone else's situation.
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I guess it is just the circle of life... start out bald and toothless... end up bald and toothless. 
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