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5 weeks old already!

July 27th, 2009 at 05:46 pm

Hard to believe Baby M is already 5 weeks old. Went in for the c-section on June 17th, and had a beautiful baby boy!! He was 8 lbs, 7 oz, and 21.5 inches long. Now, he's over 12 lbs.

The past 5 weeks have been quite an adventure. It a whole new life to get used to. The sleep deprivation is the easy part for now!

Now the challenge is to make our dwindling maternity leave fund last. DH has gone back to work, and has also picked up a little part time gig at a local coffee house. Early morning hours(3.5 hours), 4 days a week. Every little bit helps!

Here's a couple pics from when he was 2 days old. He's filled out quite a bit since then! Smile The sweater/booty set is what DH came home from the hospital in when he was born.



Wish me luck!

June 16th, 2009 at 05:50 pm

At this time tomorrow, I'll be a new mommy!

Baby never turned, even after all my efforts, and an unsuccessful 'version' by my doctor. So, C-section it is...

It's strange to think this is my last day of work for 8-12 weeks. (Depending on how well I feel, and how I can s-t-r-e-t-c-h our savings.)

We're both excited to start this next chapter in our lives! I can't wait!

Don't think we'll reach our goal

June 5th, 2009 at 04:07 pm

We now have less than 3 weeks until my due date. And we're $1456 shy of our goal. The only thing that has put a crimp in our savings, is that I finally told my other jobs that I'm all done until after baby comes. It was just getting to be too much. Still pulling my regular 40 hour job too. We still have a little time and DH is working as much as he can also. I still think we'll be ok-I won't need much gas money if I'm not commuting to work everyday, etc.

I've also been spending some money(mostly from my HSA) for Chiropractor appt, accupuncture, massage, etc. All the 'alternative' therapies that may help turn this breech baby. Trying to avoid a c section-I know, I know, it's not bad, blah blah blah. But it's something I would like to avoid. Baby is really wedged in there, so I also don't think s/he'll turn at the last minute either.

But either way, we'll have our little bundle of joy pretty soon! Smile

Even closer now!

May 13th, 2009 at 08:03 pm

Less than 6 weeks to go!

Still working a lot, trying to reach our goals of $8000. (This would cover 8 weeks of leave, as previously discussed with boss) When I just signed my Leave of Absence request yesterday, they actually plan on me being out for 12 weeks. DH was happy to hear that, but doesn't quite get that there's probably no way I can take that long off. I didn't budget our savings for that, and his salary alone just won't do it. But we'll see. We had our baby shower a few weeks ago, and got to spend the afternoon surround by such loving family and friends!

It's all starting to feel real now.

Now, if only both of our cars didn't have the 'check engine' lights on, I'd be much happier! Not something you want to worry about when you're 34 weeks pregnant!

Here's a sneak peek of baby from the 3D ultrasound!

A fun little payday game:

February 13th, 2009 at 07:50 pm

It's called "Who's Wants Our Money?"

We have $684.25 to divvy up. But VW credit wants $406.84, "personal loan" needs $200, student loan wants $250, maternity/baby fund should be paid $200 as well. Haven't paid the oil bill either. Oh, and we need money to live for the week: gas, groceries, etc. I didn't go grocery shopping at all last week, so cupboards are pretty bare.

It's so hard to figure out who should get what, and when. None of them will give big late fees or interest hikes if we're a week late. I ended up paying "personal loan" because if we don't, they'll be a warrant out for DH! $90 for living money, tranferred 250 to ING for leave fund(gotta pay ourselves first, right?)

That leave $144.25, which now isn't enough to pay oil bill, car or student loan. Ugh. My head hurts.

On the baby front, things are going well. Told boss about 3 weeks ago, and she took it well. We've already started training someone to help out when I'm out. Boss actually said 'we need to start training now, because you may not be able to work until you're due'. I hope I don't get put on bedrest or anything like that, but at least she's thought of that possibility. I am now almost 22 weeks along, feeling movement(finally!)and getting bigger every day!

My good brother (that lost his house, etc) just started his new job this Monday.
His wife got a yearlong temp job as well. They are both kind of stressing about logistics of driving one car, 2 jobs, and a kid in daycare. I think honestly that his wife was thinking of NOT taking a $22/hour job, because the only way they could work it out is to drop her off at work an hour early, and she'd have to hang around after her shift for 1/2 hour, while my brother runs to daycare to get baby. I talked to brother today and basically said: Suck it up, bring a book and deal with it. You need this job, you need this money, and it's just a temporary inconvenience until you can buy a POC car, or move closer to both jobs. I hope she realizes that's what she has to do. They were going to try to talk to temp place today about changing hours. Well, if they won't, then you'll have to put up with it, because there's 50+ people in line behind you that will do ANYTHING for a job right now.

Spendy week, baby update

December 21st, 2008 at 09:58 pm

I've finished up the Christmas shopping. I tried to stay on track, but did spend 51.47 more than anticipated. My budget was $180(4 people at $25, 1 at $5 and DH at $75) Ended up going over for hubby, under for others, and bought gift for DH's brother who will be visiting up from the 26th til Jan. 3rd. He wasn't in the original equation, so I'm still pretty happy with how I did. Cash for everything. No scary credit card bills come January!

And that's the end of the good news. Got together with a college friend for dinner and spent $25. She's a smart girl, but trying to watch her figure out her portion and calculate a tip is PAINFUL! We took up this poor girl's table for 2 1/2 hours. Our check is 32. I am not leaving less than 40. Just give me the darn check,I'll tell you how much to give me!! Also spent last Saturday out with DH and got Chinese-$20. And Wendy's(I cracked) for $15. $60 spent eating out, and $38.66 on groceries. We ate out almost 2 weeks of groceries!

We also had our '1st Trimester Risk Assessment' this week (13 weeks). Ultrasound looks good. Baby was moving around like crazy, at one point did a half-way backward somersault. Like he was on his back, walking up a wall and flipping over. Cute! Blood work was good, except for "PAPP-A" level. More follow up tests because of this low result. (When abnormal, it can indicate risk for late fetal loss, or stillborn). DH is not worried about it at all. I'm trying not to. It's probably just that we have access to too much information and gives us more to worry about. Then Wednesday, I had appt with OB. First time meeting the doctor. DH wasn't able to come because of his work schedule. I've heard great things about this doctor, but this appt wasn't too great. He told me I was "packing on the pounds". I cried all the way home, like dry-heaving, crying so hard. Hubby must've thought I was nuts when I came home! Oh well, I knew those carbs that were so great for nausea would catch up to me.

Well, tonight I'm sending an email to my boss requesting some time to sit down and discuss my annual review. (She's leaving for 2 1/2 weeks on Wednesday). So keep your fingers crossed that I get a raise!

The secret's out...sort of

December 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 pm

Thanksgiving went well, as far as dinner, family and us making our announcement. DH and I gathered everyone, with J's(DS) help, to take a picture before dinner. We were all around the end of the dinner table. It was the 2 of us, brother, SIL, nephew(2 yr old), Mom, Dad and 96 year old Grandma. J takes picture-normal-everyone says 'cheese', then says "oh, someone blinked". I slipped the framed US picture out from under my chair cushion so I'm holding that during next picture. Everyone else says 'cheese'-we say 'we're having a baby!'. The next pictures are priceless. First, my brother is looking over at the picture I'm holding like "WHAT???". Next picture, Mom and Dad catch on--"are you serious, are you serious?". Next picture Grandma's looking over, only because everyone else is--poor things pretty deaf! Then the hugs started, even my dad got teary eyed, and more pictures after that with the proud 'grandparents'.

Then we had dinner. :-)

Still not telling work people at any of the jobs until Boss #1 knows.

I'm happy that the savings is growing pretty quickly. 32% of the way there. All these extra shifts at the hospital are really helping. (I'm actually working tonight-got called in) I didn't really mind coming in, 1st for the money, 2nd for the 'Christmas Dinner' that the hospital is providing for us tonight. It's a lovely catered affair. I've heard there's beef, pork, chicken, salads, pastries. Haven't gone yet, but should be good. The caterer is actually the guy that was the chef at the inn for our wedding reception.

Will post some money/budget related stuff later, just wanted to let everyone know how the grand unveiling went.

This Week

November 20th, 2008 at 03:29 am

Divvied up our paychecks on Sunday.

Income(10.38 in checking to start):

Me------706.51
DH------471.22
Job #3--209.11

Bills Paid:
5.00-Christmas Club
50.00-ING Savings automatic
200.00-Oil
60.37-Electric
46.70-Verizon
82.21-AT&T/internet
13.61-Cable
28.00-Home Depot
200.00-Personal Loan
75.00-Student Loan #2
406.84-VW Credit--(only 14 payments left)
209.11--Transferred Job #3 to ING

Balance in checking is 20.38. Bills remaining this month is 1777.00, unless something else pops up.

We had a doctor's appt on Monday. It should've been our first, but I was having some stuff go on a couple weeks ago, so they saw us then too. They keep changing the due date, first it's June 21st, then the 26th, then the 23rd, then back to the 21st. Does it really matter? This baby's coming whenever it's ready. "Oh, I'm sorry, I can't have this baby on the 23rd, I have plans. Can we make it the 21st instead?"
They didn't do an ultrasound this visit, so it was more just a regular 'girly' appointment. You know-"Scoot down, scoot down." Poor Hubby was probably mortified to be there.

Everything looks to be going well. I do have to go for a 1st Trimester Risk Assesment at Yale, I guess because I'm so old! This will be a 3D ultrasound, where they can tell if baby has any genetic abnormalities or Down Syndrome markers. That appointment is on Dec. 15th, and next OB appt is on Dec. 17th. Should have some new pics just before Christmas! Christmas Eve will be when we make the big announcement to my family.

OK, bear with me...this may be confusing!

November 13th, 2008 at 03:41 am

Hi everyone! Long time lurker, so I know that you all have great life experiences and will give great advice. I don't know where to even start. My DH and I have been together for 10+ years, married for 5. Due to some personal issues, DH racked up 14K in CC debt back in 2005-2006. I was not aware( in denial) of the problems he was facing, and didn't know about this debt. However, things have cleaned up nicely and we're back on track as a couple since Aug. 2006. We've managed to pay about 11K off, but still have about 22K left to go. I had my own debt as well. (We also had a big car repair, and various 'life happens' events occur, with no EF in place)

We now have about 2K in EF. We have 4 jobs between the 2 of us. My position does pay higher, and I have the health insurance for both of us.

Choices to make for now: Do we try to find a cheaper place in our area to live? Rents seem to be going down in our area, but for first, last and security, (plus various moving fees), it would probably run us about 3K. But that would wipe out our EF.

Do we stay where we are, and focus on debt, or try to get EF bigger because…

On October 22, I gave my husband "the best birthday gift ever"---a positive pregnancy test. We are both very excited. I'm about 8 weeks along. I know financially, we're not ready, but I’m 32, and are you ever financially ready for a baby?

He would be staying at home with the baby, so in the next 7 months, we need to decrease our bills the equivalent of his salary. (Usually brings home $800 a month). It's not much, but he does all the household stuff, cleaning, laundry, errands that I can't do while I'm working.

My job is also an issue. I work for a small company, which only has about 15 employees. The boss/owner/president is a real tough cookie. She does not give maternity leave. The last woman to have a baby had 12 weeks unpaid, had to sign some paper that terminated her, and paid COBRA while she was out. That mysterious paper had to be signed that day…couldn't be taken home to discuss with husband (or lawyer). She left with the knowledge that she would be back, and she is still with us. I have 4 weeks vacation that I'll have by June. If she even allows me to take 12 weeks, that would mean 8 weeks unpaid, plus maybe 1K/month for COBRA. Is that even legal? She has less than 50 employees, so FMLA doesn't apply.

So stay put in current apartment, save up 8 weeks salary, plus another 2K for possible insurance? Or try to pay down debt now before baby comes? Too many choices and this first post is too long!

I didn't want to get down to the nitty gritty with actual figures of debt and salaries on first post, but any advice would be greatly appreciated!