1. When to have a shower-ditto to PP on timing. Mine is at 34 weeks which is a little later than I would have liked, but that is the date that worked out.
2. I did a few things with the registry. First, I started a private Amazon wish list based off of recommendations I found on the internet when I first found out I was pregnant. I used this mostly to remind me about products. I have kept this list mostly to do price checks as I am going to start getting some items for myself and it is easy to check Amazon to see if their prices are lower than in brick and mortar stores if it is on a wish list.
I started working on public registries early, about 16 weeks, but I have not, until recently, told anyone that either one exist. I added items by going through emails from friends-I sent out an email to my mom friends asking for their recommendations, checked out Baby Bargains, read Amazon reviews, used Lucie's List and the Stroller Traffic registry. My plan is to go in store to finish both this weekend. I registered at Giggle and BRU. I did not register for clothes. I figure I will get some at the shower and I will go shopping myself from there.
I also have 2 that I am keeping secret and using for the coupon code. One is at PB kids because people rave about their hooded towels and I think we will get the rug for LO's room from PBK; and Diapers.com for items that I am not registering for publicly (diaper cream, hand wash, stain remover). I thought it would be easier to create a registry instead of having to dig through emails to find the info later. These lists are not being disclosed to anyone, it is really a personal shopping list for me.