April 2013.....we're halfway there! (Part 5)

[bunnygirl80]

Our newest home!

Old thread here

Stats thread here

Thanks MissMuffet! Very helpful. WRT getting the base second hand, is it okay to buy one on eBay safety-wise, or is it like a car seat and you should only buy if you know that it hasn't been in an accident?

I'm going for the base as I really want the easy of clipping them in and out without having to lean over and fiddle with a seatbelt. :) I don't have isofix in y car so I get the version that uses seatbelt for the base instead.

The base supposedly absorbs the shock from an accident so not sure i would want one I knew had been in an accident, so I'm not sure to be honest I think people do buy them second hand, we were lucky enough to have been given a shed load of cash for our pushchair and car seat so just got one new, so I haven't had to think about it from that point of view which isnt very helpful sorry! you can get ones that aren't all singing all dancing they aren't as pricey. I'm sure there was a choice of 3 for the pebble/cabrio seat iirc, don't hold me to that tho it was around week 15 lol!

Ah ha! That makes sense. Think it sounds better safety wise to opt for the base, and to go for a new one.
Plus, should be better for my DH's sore back too by the sound of it.
Thanks for your help MissMuffet

Thanks kellestar and sneezy. The side cots are way out of my budget but the ikea one looks good.
I know DP will do his share (more than if I let him) but I have this idealist notion that one of us may as well sleep. Although I'm guessing its difficult to sleep with a baby crying in the same room.
There's just soo much to think about.
I think our car seat base is redundant too, the car was made way before 2002 and there's no way we can afford to change that so I guess we'll be those people struggling with the seatbelt in the rain lol
Ah well the baby won't know any different :).

Is it just me or does Mothercare stock look like its on sale, when in fact it's not?
This RRP malarkey keeps tricking me into thinking I'm getting some really great deal when I'm actually not... Humph!

fluffeh I bfed DS and didn't cosleep. I didn't feel safe when he was tiny, never got the hang of feeding lying down, and on the occasions I did try it he hated it I just had the Moses basket, then his cot, right next to our bed and just dragged him in for a feed when he woke. In the early days he pooed with every feed day and night, so had to get up to change him anyway. I never really asked DH to help at night as there wasn't huge amounts he could do, was just easier to latch DS on than get up and make a bottle, and he used to sleep through most of the nightwakings (he's a very heavy sleeper!). It meant he was usually feeling refreshed in the morning, so if we'd had a bad night he could get up with DS while I had a lie in.

Glad to see all the lists i have ordered pram got cot moses basket steriliser playmat bouncy chair bath toiletries got lots. of clothes in the sales its mainly cot bedding and bits now hoping ive got the main things sorted as my last consultant app is 34 weeks only 9 weeks away want to be ready by then incase they decide baby will be coming early x

Can I ask your opinion on the name Blake. We both love it so been top of the list for a few weeks, however have a niggling feeling it's a bit chavvy! Can't decide if it's a bit different but not too out there or it is up there with the most chav names? Don't want to sound too middle class but it's such an important decision. Thanks girls...

Thanks bunnygirl. I'm hoping it works ok with the basket at first, I'll probably need DP to pass me the baby anyway for the first week or so as I'm having a cs but I'm hoping if I can get the cot set up then by the time he's back at work, I'll be able to roll her over from the cot.

essex I think Blake is lovely. I don't know any little boys with that name but I remember a lad from the tv show home and away had that name years ago.

We're hoping to use Amelia or Aurelia but my older relatives are having problems with Aurelia, one aunt keeps trying to pronounce it and ends up sounding more like gorilla :D.

I quite like Blake too! I also don't know of any little boys with that name I think its nice
Love love love aurelia I think its a gorgeous name and almost angelic! I know Amelia is always a top name but I dont like it, its the whiny bit in middle I dislike, the meeeelia bit, but I am in an extremely small minority I know!!
Dp and I haven't touched the name subject again since October as we hated each others suggestions and so led to a bit of a disagreement so I don't know where this leaves us!!

I like Blake, or Heath? Definately do not think its chavvy.

Having my 'routine' Glucose tolerance test this morning, not entirely sure why (age 28, normal BMI, low risk) think it is offered to everyone here! I accepted as I have an irrational (almost ridiculous) fear of shoulder dystocia and thought it sensible to rule gestational diabetes out.

I agree whole heatedly with aufaniae regarding babies in car seats for long periods. Recommended max is 2 hours in a stretch and they are really not good for their posture or breathing. Their little spines get all squished up and its not a good position to get air into the bottom of their lungs which is why babies in SCBU have to do a 'car seat test' before they travel home to check their oxygen levels don't drop. We only used ours for the car (with regular breaks) & very occasionally if baby was asleep and we were literally popping into a shop for 5 minutes.

LOVE Aurelia but do agree with Missmuffet about Amelia sounding rather whiney. I also think its over used a bit faddy personally. Or Aurora?

We are very seriously considering Celeste at the moment. DH's suggestion.

We have one of the Maxi Cosi bases and it was BRILLIANT (non isofix) I was skeptical but it is so simple to use and saved so much faffing with seatbelt. It also felt so much more secure when the car seat was in it.

Good morning, happy New Years eve!!

Hope you're all well.

I love the names you are all thinking of, they're really nice and not at all chavvy haha! I still can't find any I like. I've given up for now before I drive myself mad. The kids keep coming up with their own wonderful(?!) suggestions. Over dinner last night 4yr old DS was trying to convince me I should call him Tom or Jerry. Guess what his favourite programme is

I second getting a carseat base, they really do save a lot of time and messing about. Even if you don't have the isofix fittings and just use the base with the seatbelt, it's so much easier. I still have the cabriofix base from dd so just need to buy the carseat. I think I'll get a new one this time. I was tempted to get a second hand one from Ebay but many people don't realise they have a shelf life as the plastic casing weakens over time so you never know how old they are. Unless you're getting one from a friend or something.

So far I have the moses basket and stand, loads of clothes, cot bed bedding set, nappies, toiletries and on xmas eve I caved and bought the new Bugaboo Cameleon3. They are expensive but it was on a deal and I was given some money towards it so I only had to pay half, which is what I had budgeted for in the first place, so I treated baby myself for christmas

I'm not worried about getting a cot just yet as I have a family crib that's been used for generations, starting with my Uncle, Mum & Aunts when they were babies then I slept in it followed by the rest of siblings/cousins etc and it's big enough to last until at least 4-6 months. Also saving space for now! I'll have that upstairs and the moses basket downstairs.

Bump gave me a bit of a worry yesterday, to the point of me almost ringing the hospital to go and be monitored. He usually has half an hour at least of huge kicks, squirms and somersaults in the evening or just after I get into bed. But last night nothing. Well a very feeble poke and that was about it. So at midnight I got up and drank a glass of iced water followed by a glass of coke, lo and behold 15minutes later he went mad! Will be keeping a close eye on his movements today just to check. This pregnancy lark is so worrying and this is my 6th so I can imagine how some of you feel being on number 1!

I hope Mama and little Alexander are doing well and hope to hear good news soon.

Have a very happy new year everyone

Thanks too breathless, kellestar and bunnygirl for the lists - so useful (and ever so slightly daunting at the same time!). Must go shopping!

Just popping in quickly to say happy new year to everyone - what a year it's going to be!

24 + 1

Ollibobs I can't stand Mothercare!

My theory is that there are two types of shop:

Some are really good at what they do, and make money because of a passion or expertise about their products.

Others are solely a vehicle for making money, they couldn't care less what they're selling really as long as the money comes in.

Mothercare is definitely the second version I reckon! Overpriced, poor quality products and terrible, terrible customer service - just have a look on mumsnet for past threads with people complaining about how badly they've been treated by Mothercare.

This thread for example will give you an idea of their customer service. (It was originally called "AIBU to be furious with cunting mothercare" till they mothercare mumsnet to change the title! IIRC they didn't sort out the actual replacement buggy till after mumsnet HQ got involved though! )

It's such a wasted opportunity I think, as I reckon everybody goes into Mothercare when they're pregnant / have a small baby, it's a bit of a rite of passage! They're missing a trick as they could be so much better.

OK, rant over

Essex I love the name Blake! In fact, it was my top pick if we found out we were having a boy - but we're having a little girl. I think it's a name that will go well with a boy or a man - and it will suit all different personalities. I only know one Blake that I went to High School with (I'm North American) and he was lovely.
Good choice IMHO. One hundred percent not chavvy!
Fluffeh I also think your girl names are lovely. Both beautiful and classic!

So far we've bought very little. Just the monitor, some cute baby gros, a few fitted sheets and a changing bag. But DH is painting the baby's room today, so must get the cot sorted. So much to buy for such a little person!

I wasn't impressed with mothercare. I asked travel systems that fold small - she only showed me mothercare stuff even though I knew (from measurements) that the Quinny Buzz would fit with the wheels off. It felt like a MC hard sell!

I feel rotten - this sore throat has developed into a stinking cold and terrible earache. Off sick from work and curled up on sofa after a terrible night's sleep!

Bless DH though, he feels bad that I missed out on Christmas celebrations (I've had to work so never really relaxed!) so he has booked us in for the baby show at the end of February! Excited to go and get the last bits!

23+6

Quick very important question ladies.

I've been given the mamas and papas meadow bedding range which is lemon, white and pale green which is perfect as we're having a surprise.

I've just seen on eBay the matching Moses basket with stad for £35 less than five miles from me, I've asked a few questions and am waiting to know it comes from smoke free home etc. but woud I be mad to buy it, I'd love it to match all the other stuff and I know you can get all the covers off. Is £35 a reasonable amount to pay. Help. I soooooooooo want it. :)

Bugger 27+1 where's that gone

ratbag would you replace the mattress? You probably need to factor in the cost of a new mattress. I would be tempted to make them an offer, probably in the region of £25 and they will hopefully come back and say £30. If it is in excellent condition I would be happy to pay £30 for basket plus stand plus bedding set. I wouldn't pay any more personally.

faith is it a Polo? I can tell you that the Quinny Buzz def fits in the back of my 2012 Polo with wheels off which really isn't that much faff. I think you are quite close to me are you not? PM me if you want to try out the Quinny in action, I'll even lend you my toddler

Yes too it's an 06 Polo! We tried it at Toys R Us and it iny fit with the wheels off but the boot was full of crap! I might just take you up on that offer! You settling in ok in the shire?

ratbag I'd be tempted but yes, bear in mind the extra costs of the mattress when budgeting!

Hi too, yes would replace the mattress, I was thinking £30 would be about right, I've offered to pay cash on collection to avoid extortionate PayPal fees. It just matches everything. Lets see what they come back with. Eeeek

I'm getting the shopping bug now, my in laws are giving us the £600 for pram ad everything today nd my friends who we are visiting tonight is digging out lots of bits for me too. Just hoping six months isn't to early to buy everything. :)

For some reason I'm incapable of spelling AND on my iPad. Sorry