Living in America 2012--Because It Is No Longer 2011

[MmeBucket]

This is what happens when I start threads--they get stupid titles. Someone else needs to start the next one. Hopefully we can get this one filled by 2013.

Link to old thread for reference

Not much happening here. The kids have been off school for 25 days. I am soooo looking forward to them starting school tomorrow. Except it is my day to help, so instead of getting a break from my two, I'll have 22 of them to deal with.

Hi all,

Glad to hear you're settling in well nancy. It's just over 2 weeks until we move over and I'm getting really nervous! What seems like an exciting prospect 3 months ago is now a terrifying steam train powering 100mph towards DDay whether we like it or not!!!

DH left on Sunday so I'm solo parenting for 3 weeks DD is generally being v sweet but it's still a bit lonely...

So much to think about for the move, and I'm so ridiculously busy at work I can't think straight.... If I get through the next 3 weeks without having a nervous breakdown it'll be a miracle!!!

If anyone fancies a MN meet up in July/aug, count me in. I'm v good at public transport so can travel

Remind me where you're moving to FSB?

San Carlos... Or rather redwood city first and then hopefully San Carlos if we can find a rental property (which seem to be few and far between - and strictly "no pets")!!!

oh jealous - that close to SF?

Yeah, hopefully. Not close enough not to learn to drive apparently, and not too close to get the strange weather!!

Where are u?

LA - also not driving!! Managed 3months so far but only cos we are walking distance to DH's work and DS's preschool and the bus system in Santa Monica is ok - and I like walking!!

Getting stir crazy though do theory test booked for Monday then need to organize lessons

Eek - good luck!!

tadjennyp Snow???? wow! I'd love some snow!! It is actually quite bearable in Vegas right now, it has been in the high 80s low 90s which is great. If all summer was like this I'd be a very happy girl.

DD finished 2nd grade on Thursday with straight As and a perfect behaviour record. YAY - but honestly I think most of it is that the curriculum here is so behind what she learned back home she just sailed through, and they all think her accent is so cute, and I have nagged her (in the true British manner) to mind her Ps and Qs her whole life she can't help but be polite.... Have got her working on mathletics on the computer and reading lots at home etc to try to keep her ready and able to slot back into the Brit system when we go back.

Am pondering on a visit to Santa Monica in the Hols. Is it nice? Does anyone live round there? I have a great freind who is an actor and owns a house there we can stay in - so it might be a nice cheap mini holiday. Depends on when Baby decides to make an appearance though!!

I live a block east of Santa Monica!! Yay Mumsnet meet up!

Yeah it's nice, depends where your friend's house is as the eastern end is a bit of a trek from the beach but to be honest buses get you down there easily. Lots of parks and of course beach for children - do you just have DD and the baby?

You'll love the ocean breeze after Vegas! Let me know when you're thinking of coming down

His house is just near Trader Joes. Yes just DD and the baby, plan would be hubby to come for weekend then go home and then the rest of us chill out for a few more days then drive back. I miss the sea breeze SO much! I grew up in Plymouth, Devon so sadly Lake Mead does not quite cut it for me. I'd even be happy if it rained!!!

Looks at the moment like we might come in August. :) let me know if you'll be around.

How is everyone else coping with the begining of summer vacation?

Hi, I've just posted about moving to DC soon on another thread but looks like this is where I need to be. I'm a long time Mumsnet lurker but don't really post (apart for a pregnancy hormone fuelled rant about John Lewis once last year as I recall...!). We are going to be based quite centrally I think due to my husband's job (DuPont Circle) but would be great to hear any advice anyone has to offer on mums' groups/baby classes in the Georgetown/Columbia Heights/Mount Pleasant areas. Thanks in advance.

Good luck with the move - afraid I'm on the other coast so no specific advice

Sharklet - as far as I know there's just one Trader Joe's in SM and we're a 10min walk away, although its more West LA than SM so there may be another I don't know about.

Either way we fly back from UK 4th August, have a friend staying last weekend in August but we're around and free inbetween so def pm me!

WOW you can tell it is summer vacation.... everyone is busy with the DCs I guess. Hope you are all having fun. We are hot as hell here in Vegas. waiting for the arrival of DS who is due to make his entrance into the world in one month.

Enjoy summer guys :)

Been ages since I last posted. Saw the question on the last page about duvets. I can confirm that they are different sizes here compared to the UK. We have Danish linen and I have an American duvet which is too big for the duvet cover. Ikea has the cheapest duvets available and I got myself a duvet cover from LL Bean last month. Tis a nice one and wasn't too expensive. The other great place for bed linen if you are close to NYC or Morristown, NJ is Century 21.

sharklet I remember being very pregnant this time last year. Bless you for doing it in Vegas. I was begging for them to rip DD from my loins at this point and it was only in the high 80s. Happy to say I am 6 weeks pregnant and very pleased that DC#2 will be making their arrival in Feb/March. DH is quite the whizz with the snow blower.

We are busy here, too. I have 2 extra kids this week who aren't bad, but they are LOUD. I'm counting down the time until Friday at 5. We're on vacation next week, going to visit IL's and pick up our new (to us) boat (it's free, yay!)

The weather here has been not summer. Low 60's and rain so many times this past week. I'm not complaining, though, I don't like hot.

Sending you lots of sympathy, sharklet. I had 2 August babies when we lived in Southern Oregon and 2 out of every 3 days were above 100, and that wasn't fun, and can only imagine how much ickier it would be in Vegas. So many babies and pregnancies on this thread, congratulations and easy pregnancy thoughts to you all.

It's been raining here too (Tx), just in time for our trip home to visit relations - picked up dd3 from her camp on Friday and suddenly we are about to leave for a month. All the best with this thread's babies.

Congrats American babies conceived and waiting to be born!

We're flying home tomorrow, DH comes back a week later, I have to face the 10hours along with 3.9yr old DS and 8mo DD. joy. Been downloading new games on the iPad for DS - spoilt, much?!?

But so looking forward to a month at home, despite the weather. Will be nice coming back to endless summer though

stupidly, painfully hot here, am considering becoming a summer vampire and only coming out after dark!

waiting for baby to arrive, then we can sort out some long weekends away from the heat, an IKEA and Ocean run to cali seem likely...

Hello everyone
I wondered if anyone can help me with a car seat question. We have average size 8, 6 and 2 yo sons who here use, respectively, a booster seat, a booster with a back and a proper stage 2 car seat (forward facing) with harness. What is the requirement in the US? obviously I want my boys to be safe, but I'm not sure if safe and legally required are the same in US and UK.
Thanks.

Rules are different in UK and US and even state to state.
www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS/
I'd guess you need two high back boosters and one forward facing harnessed seat, but you never know.

Thanks. That's really helpful.

Hello ladies.

Just popping my head round the door. DH has informed me that we may be moving to Seattle (from London) in the autumn. Whilst exciting and terrifying I've no idea where to begin with organising the move. Not sure if I even want to go - all my family are in London, we have a 2 year old DD and I am 6 weeks pg with DC2.

Please tell me how lovely Seattle is. Any tips on packing up our life and shipping it to the west coast would also be welcome.

Hi confused. I'm moving from Bristol to DC in 4 weeks (although we're out of our house in 2). We're moving with 3 kids (8,6,2) and I'm 14 weeks pg. Whilst I haven't exactly successfully managed a move yet, I do have a lot of lists! Our shipping packers are coming next week so it's all go here. Like many things, the idea of it sounds very daunting when you think about it as a whole project, but once you break it down into little tasks it's much more approachable. My main mission at the moment is throwing away my children's toys when they're at school. I have to be really careful who I give them to in case they then go round to their houses!

Would you be moving permanently or temporarily? We're going for 3 years, and have UK storage to consider too which is all getting a bit complicated.

I'm sure Seattle is amazing. I never quite grew out of grunge, so it's always appealed!

Good luck!

Thanks whimsical. I just wish I knew what was happening so we can start making decisions.

Can ask what you are doing about healthcare for when the baby is born? I'm concerned that dp's insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions and I've heard that pregnancy is only covered after 12 months.

Oh dear, I hadn't looked into that at all confused. I've just assumed that our medical packgage will be adequate as it's all organised through his employer here. I think I might just make a phone call... no doubt it all depends on different packages.

I know what you mean about the not knowing. We've known this was a possibility since Christmas, but it was only definitely confirmed in May (for an August departure!)