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Frugaleers - joyfully jumping into June

999 replies

ememem84 · 07/06/2017 17:25

New thread. Xx

OP posts:
Thread gallery
31
Cagliostro · 26/06/2017 18:56

Em you can't just say baby, that's cheating!!! :o But I'm pretty sure you'd already said girl.

I've heard excellent things about Ikea baby stuff, that's probably what we'll be doing too. :)

LonelyOversharer · 26/06/2017 19:04

I went for both boy babies, for cag and em. Thinking girl now!

Frugal fail. Fell to sleep, woke at 5 and couldn't face making tea. Trip out to local Sainsburys £12 netted us pizza and magnums, plus bread for tomorrow. Not ideal. Tax credits go in tomorrow, so will do a meal plan, a list and a big shop.

And then I'm planning to stay home for the rest of the week. Its such a mess inside and out here. I just need to be here and bloody well get on with sorting it out.

100yearsdotcom · 26/06/2017 19:27

Thanks need

That's crap wreck

lonely fell asleep here too but only just woke up! Dh on way home so once I've finished bf DD I'll see what to eat, nap has done me good I think.

100yearsdotcom · 26/06/2017 19:27

I think girl too cag!

CremeEggThief · 26/06/2017 20:04

I think a boy, Cag. Looking forward to finding out tomorrow!Smile

I really hope your courtesy car turns up tomorrow, Wreck.

ememem84 · 26/06/2017 20:19

Oh my god. My barbie body. Channel five on demand.

That is all.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 26/06/2017 20:19

I'm going for girl too!.

wreck Is it nice wine?

WreckTangled · 26/06/2017 20:23

Not got it yet fluffy. I'm still going to complain more though. I think m&s should be ensuring a better service from their underwriters.

ChristmasSeacow · 26/06/2017 20:37

I think boy Cag although it'd be handy if it's a girl as i will have lots of girl clothes to pass on Wink. I am glad you feel positive about the Caglets' diagnoses too... I am sure it helps a lot that your children already know kids on the spectrum (as well as you!) so understand that it is just a different kind of brain. And they are obviously bright and high functioning, hopefully it will help them a lot to understand themselves better.

Well done Meadow - did it take you completely by surprise or did you hope you might get one? I think a big celebration is in order!

Creme it's exciting about your house move and the new place sounds lovely and characterful. There is also a lot to be said for good transport links, especially as you have a child whose independence is growing. Moving is a major big deal though! Step by step....

I got very behind with the thread for a few days, you guys have been more chatty recently! Sorry I can't recall all the news. I remember some running talk from Mammy but as ever I have no perspective on sporty stuff and think a half marathon is by definition a huge success (I realise that's not the point for you!)

Em ikea is great. We have a hand-me-down cot but bought some other bits from Ikea for DD's room (a kallax storage thing and a chair). Looks great.

We've been getting on reasonably well since coming home on Friday. I've spent most of the time trying to breastfeed and TBH I am having a mixed experience and have very mixed feelings about it. DD can latch on so that is a massive improvement over where I was with DS (who never managed it). She is very hungry though so I am having to supplement with formula while my milk comes in and to give my shredded nipples a break So I think if I pushed through this initial phase of pain and establishing supply I could do it. But logistically it is very hard... DD wants to cluster feed and it takes a very long time. If I didn't have DS and could sit on the sofa all day for the first few weeks this would be manageable... but that is not my reality. I have a lot of appointments coming up for DS re. School and EHCP etc just in the next 3 weeks. And until term finishes I have to take DS somewhere (school, therapy things) every day. I can't imagine breastfeeding outside the house at the moment - I have huge breasts and only one position that really works and it's not very practical! Once term ends I am then facing a summer at home alone with DS and DD and he is very high needs (in nappies, highly anxious, doesn't understand waiting for my attention really) . I feel as though I could manage that much better with the speed and predictability of bottle feeding. The last few days we have been a family of two halves: DH + DS, and then me + DD. I don't want that to be perpetuated. On the other hand, once through the initial phase it would be convenient, cheaper and the best start for DD, as well as probably being a lovely experience that I missed out on before. So I don't really know what to do Hmm. (Sorry for the essay, this feels like a big decision!)

In frugal matters, we have been buying the inevitable bits and bobs that we suddenly find we need nipple cream so DH has spent a bit at mothercare. Not too bad though. On the (possible) plus side we have had a letter from school about DS starting Reception. They do a phased start and he is in the last phase so not actually starting until 12 days after term starts. That opens up the possibility of us managing a cheeky week away at the beginning of September, when it is off-peak. We'd probably go to the coast somewhere self-catering. That would be frugal-ish but not compared to the 'no holiday' we were otherwise planning! Very tempting though.

DD continues to be squidgy and gorgeous Smile

WreckTangled · 26/06/2017 20:43

Seacow a little holiday would be lovely. Hmm though on the bf front. I loved it tbh but man it was so much easier to bottle feed. Also I get what you mean about being a family of two halves we were certainly like that when ds was a baby and dd a pre-schooler.

Girliefriendlikesflowers · 26/06/2017 20:51

WowMeadow that is amazing news - well done Star Star Star

Cag having a diagnosis will def be massively helpful in terms helping your kids understand why they struggle with certain things and finding ways to help them. I do wonder about dd sometimes, she has all the sensory issues and struggles emotionally and socially bless her. Did the G.p refer your two for the assessment? I think a girl as well Smile

Seacow I think if you can get through the first few weeks of bfing it does get a bit easier, I mix fed dd and def found that to be the best of both worlds.

Spent £8 ish today on food, a top up shop I guess had run out of margarine, yogurts etc. Dd was meant to have a maths lesson today but the girl who teaches her forgot Hmm so thats £10 back in my pocket!

lifelongfrugaleer · 27/06/2017 06:13

Well done meadow
Pleased you got the diagnosis cag. I'm going girl.

Tough one sea. The early days are not easy. Have you been given contact details of bf support group? Little babies do feed alot due to tummy size and evening cluster feeding is normal but it might be worth getting your latch on checked in case she is not feeding efficiently. Remember your are both learning how to do this. One feed at a time.
What about bottles in the day boob at night/early morning as a compromise?
You are doing great my love. X

lifelongfrugaleer · 27/06/2017 06:16

Some IKEA furniture is great. We have trofast and kallax for DC.

£6 yesterday at cubs. Stayed as they needed a female leader. Then a meeting about afterwards. Dh got called out at 1am do tired this morning. Shit day yesterday 1 year since ddog died. Will be better today

Loveabaconsandwich · 27/06/2017 06:45

Flowers life anniversaries are tough

Well, meadow you are a very hard working, clever one! Well done Star

DDad came out of hospital yesterday. He's got new medication and awaiting an appointment. Doctor said to him he needs to be careful or he could have a heart attack, I hope he take her advice. We had to wait 2.5 hours for his medication before coming home, both parents were very grumpy about waiting so they were quite hard work.

Sorted out new telephones for DParents as neither phones would dial out 999 on Sunday Hmm . I had to get cross with DMum to get her to buy new ones. Being able to call out in an emergency is absolutely essential.

DP bought fish and chips for tea as I was done in by the end of the day.

cag glad you got the diagnosis Flowers . I can't remember if I guessed for the baby. Boy I think

HollyTheHarrier · 27/06/2017 07:09

Meadow congratulations! Fantastic result

cag hope the diagnosis means you can access extra support for the kids. Must be something of a relief to have the certainty.

This is officially the start of my marathon training plan. Started badly last night as I had a cracking headache so didn't run. Hopefully tonight!

Yesterday was a lsd, just £1 on a snack on my way home.

WreckTangled · 27/06/2017 07:48

Got my car insurance renewal this morning. It's gone up by £200. I'm going to take great pleasure in telling them to stick it. Will be spending the next week searching for new quotes.

SnugglySnerd · 27/06/2017 08:29

We have an Ikea changing table. It is enormous with loads of storage and converts to a desk for bigger children. It's saved my back with all the nappy changes I'm doing. I love it!

Need fuel today for the first time in over two months! There are some advantages to it being so much hassle to get 3 kids in the car, we've been walking everywhere!

needastrongone · 27/06/2017 09:05

We had Ikea furniture for the DC and it was fab, lasted really until we moved here and bought new stuff. It was covered in kids stickers and all sorts by then.

Good luck with the marathon training Holly, it's a hell of a task fitting training in I always find.

Ah Life, my dogs got an extra cuddle this morning in honour of your pooch. They leave a whole in your heart don't they?

Thanks Wrecked, I'm liking that recipe. I've got turkey breast left over from the BBQ Sunday, so I'll make it tonight. I need something we can all eat separately.

Glad your DD is out Love. Long waits in hospitals are so draining aren't they?

Seacow I honestly do get how you are feeling. I found establishing feeding with a toddler to entertain one of the hardest things. You look back and see how easy it was with your first. I ended up feeding DD while making tea, playing lego, reading, but those first few weeks when you are less mobile is hard. Do what you need to do, Life's advice is brill.

Did manage a NSD yesterday and today will LSD, just something to post for work and paying for my class tonight (if I go).

needastrongone · 27/06/2017 09:10

ps - had my meeting about FE last night and went straight to bed, shattered.

Learnt a lot though. It's going to be an expensive business putting 2 DC through Uni for sure, even given the fact they will both find part time work. The new Higher and Degree Apprenticeships look fab.

Also, they has a student finance adviser there, he suggested a 'cascading' idea about food that I liked.

So, if you usually have (for example) M&S cereal, trade down to Sainsburys Finest. If you like Sainsburys Finest, try the next level down until you find the range that your taste buds just won't tolerate. Obviously we all don't eat M&S cereal, but you get the idea Smile

needastrongone · 27/06/2017 09:49

Visited the Hush sale and didn't buy a sausage (or a top). I can do it!!!

SunnyLikeThursday · 27/06/2017 10:18

I'm all set up for my family Beaver camp now I think. I choose everything from the online scout shop so some of the money goes to the scouts. They have good, inexpensive sensible choices of gear on there, that I like and agree with.

Now crossing fingers that everything goes well.

MeadowHay · 27/06/2017 12:13

Hi, I am back after my grand revelation yesterday :'D

Thanks for all the nice messages, I am so cheddarded but also still feeling a bit in shock! Seacow I was on track to get a good 2:1 (around the 65-68 range) going by my previous years results, so I was really shocked! But I think this really shows how my really quite severe mental ill-health in previous years affected my performance - this is the best I've been health-wise and I guess it shouldn't really be a surprise that I achieved better marks consequently. My final year is 70% weighting of my degree mark and I got a first in every module aaaaarghhh when I think about it I still feel funny and excited! My dad cried on the phone when I told him. I'm the first of my generation to graduate on both sides of the family, and the first person to ever get a first class degree on both sides of the family so everybody is so made up for me, it's really sweet.

Ok I will stop bragging now, I promise Blush !

Seacow Did you post a pic of DD at all? I haven't caught up properly. (If you don't want to then I understand why of course!). Can't help with BF decisions but just want to say that whatever you do you will make the right decision for your family and you sound like you are managing great with everything. I can't imagine how tiring it all must be Confused !

Cag Glad to hear about diagnosis for your DD. I really wish I had been diagnosed in childhood instead of when I was like 20 Confused. I think it would have really helped me to have understanding of myself when I was younger and for other people to understand me and access to relevant interventions earlier etc.

Just did a mammoth grocery shop @ Asda online as we have ran out of loads of things and my anxiety has been too bad yesterday and today to go out to buy anything. It will all come tomorrow night which isn't ideal but can't be helped. £88ish Shock!

needastrongone · 27/06/2017 12:49

No need to stop bragging Meadow, you fully deserve to be very proud of yourself.

£4 at the post office, but claimable as it was a work package.

Boot Camp is cancelled, so the only spend today will be having my hair cut.

Been out for a run in the pouring rain, DD had made me a hot chocolate for when I got back, which was very welcome.

Cagliostro · 27/06/2017 13:16

Popping on briefly to say that Cagletini is an uncooperative little monkey and so I can't tell you all if you're right until next Wednesday!!!

SunnyLikeThursday · 27/06/2017 13:30

It's absolutely chucking it down here.