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October baby bus take 4! 20wk scans and big pram buying plans!

897 replies

gaggiagirl · 19/05/2015 10:00

Welcome all to the new Fred. FB group runs along side this pm me for details.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BeautifulBatman · 07/08/2015 19:46

They're lovely aren't they!

batfish · 07/08/2015 20:38

Yeah it's great, for some reason the hubby has taken an unusual interest in the changing bag and many others have failed his test but this one got the nod! Good job after my mum had to get it posted from a far away branch of John Lewis as the colour I wanted was out of stock online and in her local shop and then she's brought it out from the UK! Wouldn't like to tell her she had to take it back again Shock

Trickytricky · 09/08/2015 08:41

Would it be totally stupid to just buy a normal bag (not a special maternity one)?

FernGullysWoollyPully · 09/08/2015 09:01

No Tricky not at all. Messenger bags with lots of pockets make great change bags.

I thought about buying an expensive bag this time, well just because I can really, but in the end I bought my change bag from Asda. It's plain black and was £14.99. Very basic looking but everything I need.

BeautifulBatman · 09/08/2015 11:05

Not at all Tricky. I've gone for some expensive stuff (bag, travel system, naice sleepsuits) because I can and this the only baby I'm going to have. But then the cot, bedding, change table are cheapies from ikea. Horses for courses, buy what you want Smile

Superexcited · 09/08/2015 13:58

I would have just bought a normal bag if the pram hadn't come with a matching pram /changing bag included in the price. I probably would have bought a messenger bag or rucksack changing bag so that DH could carry it about without feeling it was a feminine style handbag.

Cineraria · 09/08/2015 15:29

I was going to get a normal bag too, just a large squarish one with no pockets as I thought I'd like to get some transparent wash bags to store things in the bag that I can take out as needed rather than needing to rummage through, like I do with my very messy handbag!

I was really lucky though as I think that one exactly like this comes with the pram I've just bought.

I need to woffle on about my pram now; I'm completely overexcited about it. It's something I always wanted but I have vacillated so much in the last few months that really didn't think I'd get one in the end. It's probably going to be a long post, so ignore if it's boring. I just need to let out my excitement so I don't burst!

I had a really nice traditional style dolls' pram as a girl (I also used it for the cat when my baby brother got too big for me to lift him into it) and only agreed to part with it when my mum told me she'd get me a nice pram if I ever had children of my own. When I found out I was pregnant, I felt so excited about pushing the baby to town and back in a nice pram but thirty years on, travel systems with compact carrycots seem to be preference and the only prams of this type still being made are the Silver Cross coachbuilt ones that cost a fortune. Neither my mother nor I have won the lottery, so it seemed a ridiculous expense until I thought of looking for a second hand one, then getting a new liner and mattress. That seemed possible, with most of the ones on eBay selling for about a quarter of the price of a new one. It's still expensive but I felt it is worth it as I don't have a car and walk a lot (public transport where we live is also good for being step free) plus we'll use it as a downstairs cot, hope to have another baby to use it and then get the money back by keeping it nice and selling it when it's no longer needed.

Then the new royal baby appeared in a vintage version at her christening and they all doubled in price apart from the really old ones that don't have a safety harness. I felt I couldn't justify paying more for a second hand pram than on a new travel system and had all but given up finding one within my budget, especially as that needed to include courier fees due to me not driving and none of them being in the south east.

This week, though, my luck was in finally and I got one for a reasonable price, in good condition, in the colour I want (navy) with some nice accessories too. I can only think it was the seller's description (something like "Baby pram. Used for one baby. No longer needed. Contact us for more info") that kept the price down, while the others that had written long enthusiastic descriptions, usually ending in "and if it's good enough for the royal baby, it should be ideal for your little prince or princess!", attracted all the bidders. I am still terrified there will be something terrible wrong with it that will cost a fortune to fix but so excited about it arriving next week.

Apologies again for the huge, long, overexcited post but DH has a stomach upset and is asleep, so I can't torment him with my excitement currently!

Trickytricky · 09/08/2015 17:07

Superexcited - this is the problem I'm having. They are either really girly (and would rather get something that me and DH can both use) or look like a work laptop bag (ie black). So tricky.

I'm thinking of getting a nice bag similar to a Kath Kidson (but a different brand). I like the idea of the 2 pods that come in a Pacapod tho. I like the idea of using clear bags inside so may do that - thanks.

My mum still have the Silvercross she used for us in the eighties! I think they look lovely and are handy for a daytime bassinet but too big and clunky for shopping/walking etc IMO. glad you're excited tho! I ordered my travel system and car seat today - relieved to have done that!

batfish · 09/08/2015 18:25

Mr bat had suggested using a big camera bag as they tend to have lots of compartments, might be worth a look if you're wanting something fairly plain.

Cineraria · 09/08/2015 18:31

You're completely right, Tricky, they are huge. My mum said she couldn't remember if she was happier the day she got her pram for me or the day she sold it and made some space in the house! How nice that your mum managed to store hers though. Our house has a spot between the front door and stairs that the pram should fit in and we got the folding one, which makes things easier.

Hope your travel system and car seat are with you soon. It's nice getting things done.

Ladypug · 10/08/2015 13:05

Aw cineraria your pram sounds gorgeous! I saw a vintage silver cross recently and it was lovely!

AnnaBegins · 10/08/2015 18:22

Aw Cine your pram sounds lovely! Huge, but lovely Grin

Anyone else getting rather tired now? Work is busy and properly tiring me out!

I've bought a storksak changing bag, navy messenger style so DH should like it too, but my mum offered to buy it for me so I let her order it, and now have realised that she'll want to do a big magnanimous "presenting of the gifts" once baby's here, rather than letting me have it now so I can fill it with nappies and stuff! Oops! Sometimes I should just do things myself...

SoontobeMommyof2 · 10/08/2015 19:52

I am exhausted now.. work is a real struggle everyday now. I was going to work right till the end but now I think I am going to start ML early. x

Ladypug · 10/08/2015 22:36

Work is killing me too! Really don't know how I will still be working in October which is the plan! By the way, I think I'm one of the latest in the group and I only have 10 weeks to go this week which means we're probably almost all 10 weeks or less to go! How incredible!!

Superexcited · 11/08/2015 07:36

As much as I miss working I am really glad that I am not working at the moment because I have been shockingly breathless doing even simple things like walking upstairs during the past few days. I cleaned 3 bay windows (on the inside) at the weekend and it took me a good hour to catch my breath afterwards. DH will have to do the rest of the windows at the weekend. I was not anywhere near this breathless in my first two pregnancies and my bump is low so it isn't my lungs being crushed. I am wondering wether it is partly due to my quite low blood pressure (94/52 at last midwife appointment).

SoontobeMommyof2 · 11/08/2015 11:05

I'm not due till 23rd October so I was planning on working in October. I keep counting down the weeks and it still seems so far away lol.

Thinking of asking to do reduced hours to help me keep working as they haven't even looked at covering me yet. Rather fustrating as I told them at 8weeks as I needed to do less manual work. x

Trickytricky · 11/08/2015 12:21

I'm 31 weeks today and only have 6 more weeks of work (yay!). Starting to find work a bit more tiring now - doesn't help that last night I didn't really sleep well at all. Was wide awake at 1am and again at 5am!

Both DH and I are starting to worry about the lack of sleep as usually we're both really good sleepers / need lots of sleep!

Got lots done last night tho and ordered changing bag and a couple of other bits. Starting to feel much more real now! I went for the Jura Pacapod (in a nice jolly red colour). DH wanted a unisex one but we compromised on the fact that the pods inside are grey and black so when he's in charge he can use a rucksack and put the pods inside!

BeautifulBatman · 11/08/2015 14:35

Same due date as me then tricky, I'm 31 weeks today too. Good choice of bag too!

Superexcited · 11/08/2015 15:28

I'm bang on 31 weeks today too, it's a very busy date!

Superexcited · 11/08/2015 15:33

I lied, I am a day ahead of myself and I'm actually 31 weeks tomorrow. I think I am just trying to wish the remaining weeks away Blush

Cineraria · 11/08/2015 17:23

I really find it hard to sit still at work, so it would be ok for me if I could just bring in my bed/sofa and maybe one of those trays ice cream sellers have in the theatre so I could alternately lie down and walk around whilst using my laptop. I'm planning to work until the due date. Just 32 working days to go! Some will be from home though.

Hope you're feeling better now Super. It's easy to do too much and get worn out when you're not at work.

It's nice to hear that everyone is getting their changing bags now. I think it makes it feel much more real when you start seeing baby stuff all round the house. Anna, could you tell your mum that you'll need to take the changing bag ready packed to the hospital, in case you need to stay longer than expected? I am thinking of using the baby's changing bag for all his stuff rather than mixing it in with mine

Trickytricky · 12/08/2015 15:43

Having been organised and ordered my icandy Peach All Terrain at the weekend the shop called me today to tell me that it may not arrive in time! Apparently they've been let down by their supplier and won't get the delivery by the end of Sept. They've offered me the display model instead (and some money off). Would you take the display model? I said yes and I would come in and see it (to see how scuffed it is etc).

Would you do the same? Or would you go and get it from another retailer? This shop was the best price so I could go to John Lewis and get them to price match? Thoughts...

BeautifulBatman · 12/08/2015 15:46

What price did you get and what colour?

Superexcited · 12/08/2015 16:01

I bought an ex display pram because it was the exact colour I wanted and had £200 off the price (which was a third off), it didn't have any scuffs and was in pristine condition. You can't tell that it was the display model.
Is it the colour you want and how much discount are they offering?

Trickytricky · 12/08/2015 16:12

Excited - £200 off that's amazing. I'm not sure they'll offer me that much off! Worth asking tho...

Beautiful - it's the Toucan one. Can't imagine why anyone would want the other one, Sneaker I think it's called. Seems to be lots of good deals on the Sneaker one tho. I got about 15% off the RRP so if I get more off I'd be quite pleased!