November 2012 - Any words yet?

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1948944-November-2012-What-are-your-New-Years-resolutions-for-your-baby

Ditto apple

Our original dinner plans would have actually doubled today's calorie allowance and whilst I am still considerably over, the MFP app is really making me think about my choices. I will start dieting properly once my exams are over next week.

V nice dress Det. I like skater style stuff.

80% Isles bloody hell! When we started out banks used to frown upon loaned deposits. Gosh times have changed - the banks didn't learn from the bubble then?

Am useless on car chat. That sounds like a good budget though Det hope you find something.

Oh found out why I'm deaf after my ENT infection at my doc's appointment. My ear drum did perforate. Apparently I'm hardcore as I didn't realise and coped just on paracetamol.

'Ard nut then YW!

Det VW do a great range if family cars - I had a touran on loan and fell in love, bit more people carrier-y, with extra room. The golf is one of their pricier models.

Check us out, talking cars like we have a clue! As long ad it goes I'm actually not that fussed lol.

The scarier thing is though YW, loan and mortgage repayments - even on a fairly high interest rate - would still be cheaper than renting.

I'm fed up of unreliable cars!! :(

I should have mentioned - we have the option of a lease scheme through work.

I would prefer traditional HP to own the car at the end. But the lease scheme has it's benefits, and right now, it's winning in terms of monthly cost.

To buy a car on HP would be £250-300 a month for 5 years. Plus insurance, tax, repairs, service, MOT, maintenance on top. So maybe another £100 a month on average. Advantage is you own the car at the end will have a few thousand value on the car fucking hopefully!.

Lease scheme - all of the above costs are covered. Literally all that it costs me is petrol. Can get varying cars - just found a Renault Captur for £230 a month. (C MAX would be about £310 a month). But you pay for the convenience, and have nothing to show at the end of 3 years when you hand the car back (for another new one).

Aye I suppose that is the case whilst BOE rates are so abnormally low but the danger is folks get used to such rates and see them as normal. What's the advice on interest rate stress testing now - (I suppose it's all changed since the BOE slashed rates to stave off Armageddon in 2008) but we were always told to stress test personal affordability assuming rates revert to the UK long term average (8%). Having seen my parents under massive stress during the 80s crash / interest rate hikes we've gone for a five year fix with First Direct.

Oh god the programme just starting on C4 on adoption is going to make me weep

Yeh can't watch that stuff anymore. The merest hint of baby snatching, poorly kids, etc has me shriekinga and sobbing and wailing at dh to change the channel.

Pass would yiu mind another flypast tonight? After resettle at 12, she slept til I woke her at 7.15.

Zooooooom!

And I cannot, cannot cope with any emotional shit anymore. Always was a bit of a sap but baby shit. Not a chance

OMG, what a sweet couple - I've managed to keep the TV on channel 4.

I just shed a few tear! I'd want them to be my mum and dad!

I've only just turned over, hope I haven't missed too much.

The foster parents are just legends. I'm in awe of their parenting skills and just easy warmth and how they connect with the kids. Amazing human beings. Also terrifying how kids can be so damaged so young. Hope I don't break Jonas

det does it have to be only 1yr old? I got a c-max that was 2yrs old, top spec and well below your budget. I plan to run it into the ground and then get a new old car. That's what I've done with all my cars. This one is my third car and my polo was still going strong but needed to upgrade to bigger car. I've had the c-max over 2 yrs now and not had to spend a penny on it aside from usual mot, service etc, although I bet I've put the kiss of death on it now!

I was never desperate to have children and thought if I didn't have them I wouldn't mind. Of course now I have them I can't imagine life without them and nor would I want too. Its only after having DD1 that I got broody and thought I wanted lots of children. I've left it too late for that but I'm still glad I didn't have them any younger as I was far too selfish to have kids and wouldn't have wanted to give up my easy going happy go lucky life style. obviously having children has changed my life but not as much as I thought it would. They have enhanced my life in every way. Can't remember which quichester said about birthdays and Christmas with kids but that's exactly how I feel. I love creating traditions and hopefully happy childhood memories for them. But then I'm just a big kid I don't think I'm particularly a natural at motherhood but I love them unconditionally and am doing everything I can to bring them up in a safe happy environment even if this means occasionally getting it wrong.

I have several members of extended family who have fostered, and one extended family memeber (my godmother) who adopted.

They are truly amazing people.

I would like to think I could be that awesome one day :) I'd love to think we could do it eventually.

Not a chance yw.

The resilience of little ones would make you feel invincible and powerless all at once. It takes a lot to shake their faith in mum and dad.

And good foster parents are like gold dust.

Ha I just scrolled backwards through the thread and saw the car chat, wondered if anyone had suggested the C-Max as that's what I'd like if I had some money. Then realised that was the starting point - no surprise I guess that Det and I want the same car as we already have 2 identical prams. I can't wear most skater style dresses though (high waist) so at least we won't look completely identical

I've never been broody exactly, always knew I wanted children eventually but kept putting it off as I thought I was too selfish to be a parent, that it would stop me doing all the things I wanted to do. After a period of illness (MH) we made the decision but then ran into trouble conceiving which focused the mind a bit. Now I wish we'd done it 5 years earlier. Maybe because I had focused on the negatives, the joy and wonder has come as a complete surprise. It's the hardest thing I've ever done but every single day there is at least one moment of brilliance - whether it's a new developmental leap, a fit of giggles or just a sense of achievement at getting through a tough day. I feel like being a parent has given me more inner strength and confidence despite my anxieties and there is something freeing about genuinely valuing someone else's happiness above your own (rather than people-pleasing to shore up low self-esteem). It has been lovely to read through all your perspectives on having children, I recognise so many of your descriptions. I miss nothing about my old life though, and still feel like me but a new tireder version. Pass's lenses analogy is great.

JJ that's so lovely . Am snivelling at the C4 programme. Very humbling. Those poor wee boys I hope they find a home together worthy of them

My mascara appears to have moved position on my face .

JJ and identical blankets .

Eliza I'm worried about getting something older - as I have bad luck with cars and would like as much 'hassle free' motoring as I can get.

:( Poor boys. Heartbreaking.

Mine too. I wanted a happy ending. But then life isn't always like that

I honestly thought it would say that they had been adopted. I so hope they find their forever family. What lovely boys.

det I think low milage is better rather than how old it is. Am sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong. I have had extreme good luck with my cars. Have only broken down once (in my age old mini about 18 years a go) and have never had to spend loads of money on a car. I've really put the kiss of death on it now!!

Det low mileage and a good brand are DHs watchwords so VW or Kia even if they are more than a year. Ford are v good for reliable family cars too. I'm just parroting him. I know noooooothing!

Night loves x