We did the same thing... My SIL threw us a party and asked me to write a list of things we needed... I did not want to write the list of the things we did not have and needed.... I did not want to write the list because I felt that it would be like telling them what to get me (our son)..... So I left it up to the husband.. Turns out that in his family they do that, lists.. So it was not unnatural for everyone to check the list, cross off what they were getting and nothing was doubled up... It was a great Idea, and lots of fun. What was great is that they all got together for the big stuff like the play park, pusher and car seat....  We were more then greatful.....   ANother friend of mine had a friend throw her a party and they regested on line with Baby's'R' Us..... That was great to check on line those that had computers were able to cross off the list what they were getting for them... And if not they could go into the store (Any babies'R'us) and they would pull it up on their file and check it off the list for them....

And yes buying little by little each week is the way to go.. I even did that with myself when I was younger.. Each pay check I got I would buy myself a new peice of clothing.. 

My husband and I bought stuff like a few months after I found out I was pregnant. It worked out great. I thought that I was not going to have nothing for my baby. I was even getting stressed out about it. So everytime he got paid, we would go out and buy something small, or big. All at once, he bought the stroller and car seat. And then after x-mas he bought the crib, dresser and shelf(for on top of the dresser) and wow! We even had family member's giving us stuff. My aunt expecially sent up alot of stuff to me, she has 2 kids and kept their clothes and spread them out between me and my cousin who was having twins. So it worked out I think.

I know if we have another girl next time, we won't have to buy much. But if it's it a boy, then we'll have to go clothes shopping. Which I don't mind doing. I love going baby shopping! It's the best.

I've done this as well. I told my husband that we were going to buy expensive things like stroller, playpen, baby carrier etc. slowly (maybe 1 or 2 a month) while I was pregnant so that the impact on the financial health wasn't so shocking. It worked out pretty well! Fortunately we didn't have to buy very many clothes since we got hand me downs from the hubby's sister (she had 3 boys).

If we were to have a girl next, we'll have to employ this technique again since we have nothing for girls. 

Great advice!