April 2008 - The One Where Our Babies Are All Turning Into Toddlers!

[KnitterInTheNW]

07 March: Ashton, a fourth child for gemprincess, 5lb 13oz @ 34+6
09 March: Ted, a second DS for Daftmoo, 7lb 14oz @ 36+0
21 March: George William, a first baby for KnitterintheNW, 7lb 2.5oz @ 37+3
25 March: Olivia, a second baby for TheMaskedPoster, 7lb 2oz @ 38+4
28 March: Pablo, a third baby and first DS for vacaloca, 7lb 14oz @ 39+4
28 March: Matteo Alexander, a first baby for Gangle @ 38+0 (?)
30 March: A baby girl, a second child for PortAndLemon, 8lb 15oz @ 39+5
02 April: Jak, a baby boy for rainbowdays, 9lb @ 39+1
02 April: A baby boy, a second child for bunyanvillas, 6lb 14oz @ 37+5
02April: Struan, a baby boy for Donnabels, 6lbs 15oz
02 April: A baby boy for mummyofaprincess @39 weeks
03 April: A baby girl for PippiCalzelunghe @38+2weeks
03 April: Aeryn Daisy, a baby girl for Denny185, 9lb 8oz @ 39+3
03 April: Benjamin, a baby boy for Micegg, 8lb 3oz @ 39+4
03 April: Roelof Grové, a first DS for SalLikesCoffee, 7lb 5oz @ 38+5
03 April: A baby boy for siikibam, 6lb 8.5oz @39+1wks
04 April: Matilda, a baby girl for AprilsFoolsBaby 7lb @
05 April: Ellis, a baby girl for MadameOvary, 9lb 12oz @ 40+6
06 April: Henry Peter, a baby boy for Sheds, 7lb 130z @ 40+4
07 April: Sebastian George, a fourth DS for Peachy, 8lb 4oz @ 41+1
07 April: Jack, a first baby for ThePFJ, 7lb 5.5oz @ 41+1
07 April: Lexie Bea, a fourth baby for babywhiting, 8lb 1oz @ 39+4
08 April: Alasdair, a second DS for bunnyrabbit, 8lb 5.5oz @ 40+3
08 April: James Samuel, a third baby for honeybee10, 6lb 7oz @ 37+2
09 April: Zara Mia Martin, a first baby for V1KK1M, 7lb 10oz @ 41+0
09 April: Jasmine, a baby gilr for Niceychops
11 April: Kyran for rdk, 7lb 13oz @ 38+3weeks
11 April: Sebastian James, a second baby for Fleecy, 10lb 2oz @ 40+4
11 April: A baby girl, a first baby for CeylonSapphire, 7lb 12oz @ 41+1
11th April: Florence, a baby girl for LouMoose
12 April: Maya Alice, a first baby for egyptianprincess, 8lb 15.5oz @ 40+3
12 April: Sophia Viviana, a second DD for AussieDivaonaBreak, 6lb 12oz @ 39+3
15 April: Alexander Oliver, a third baby for VictorianSqualor, 10lb 3oz @ 41+0
16 April: Ailish, a first baby for Mollyfloss, 6lb 11oz @ 40+3
16 April: A baby girl, a second baby for elfsmummy, 7lb 13oz @ 41+1
16 April: Zoe, a baby girl, a first baby for ToastAddict, 6lb 10oz @ 39+3
16 April: Jasmin, a baby girl, a first baby for Eggandketchup, 9lb 3oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy for paranoidmumy, 8lb 9oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy, a second son for lorisparkle, 7lb 12.5oz @ 41+6
17 April: Benedict, first baby for LadyBee 9 lb 3oz @ 41 +2
18 April: Millie Grace Jessamy, a baby girl for scorpio1 8lb 9oz @ 41
18 April: Cameron, a second baby for munchkinmum @ 39+5
19 April: Oliver Michael, first baby for bashboid, 7 lb 4 oz at 41 +3
20 April: Samuel, a first baby for Velbels. 8lb15oz at 41+1weeks.
20 April: Angharad Mai, 8lb 4oz, 40+6, first for 7monthsplus
20 April: Emilia, 7lb15oz, a first baby for SuzeM, 40+6
20 April: A baby girl for SushiMama
21 April: Eve, a second baby for OMaLittle, 8lb 4oz @ 39+3
21 April: A second DD for Monmoo
22 April: Sam, a second son for Soph73 @ 40+0
22 April: Molly, a first baby for EllieG, 8lb 8oz? @ 40+5
22 April: Daisy, second baby for AttilaTheHan @ 40 +3
22 April: Zoe Olivia, second daughter for Piccallilli2 7lb 1oz @42+1
22 April: A second DD for blinks.
23 April: Jessica Elizabeth, first baby for BabyBratt @ 40+1 7lb 12oz.
24 April: A baby girl, a second daughter for christmaspixie, 9lb 2oz @ 40+6/41+5
24 April: Miya Jade, baby girl for ShelleySare at 39+4
25 April: Amelie, a first baby for Dondons, 9lb, 41+3 (i think!)
25 April: Aisha, a second baby for Jaq39 7lb 14oz @ 41+4
26 April: Hope Olivia, a second dd for northeastmummy, 7lb 11oz at 41 .
26 April: Gabriel, a third child for Bainmarie @ 41+5
26 April: Eli Michael, a baby boy for LittleMissTurquoise, 7lb 15.5oz @ 40+5
27 April: a baby girl for Ayomi, 6lb 1oz @ 41+0
28 April: Jacob Andrew, a 2nd DS for Kaybeeand2boys, 8lb 4oz @ 41+5
29 April: Thomas Henry, a 2nd DS for TLSM, 7lb 8oz 40+3
30 April: Harry Samuel, a fourth ds for Chipmonkey, 9lb 5oz @ 39+2
30 April: Ellie, a baby girl for Annamama
30 April: A second DD for luckymummy74
01 May: Sophie May, a baby grl for Annieroo, 6lb 5oz @ 41+4
01 May: Euan George, a baby boy for Jenniejennie, 8lb @ 40+4
02 May: Robyn Olivia, a baby girl for soph28, 8lb 1oz @ 42+1
05 May: Nora Martina, a first baby for Eva07, 7lb 8oz @ 41+2
05 May: A baby boy for Beeper, 8lb 10oz @ 41+0
05 May: Gabriella Summer, a first baby for MommyHasAHeadache, 8lb 4oz @ 40+6
06 May: Wilf, 8lb 60z for bigbadmom @ 41+6
07 May: James Andrew, a second ds for Moominsmummy, 8lb 13oz @ 41+5
08 May: Ellie Isabella, a first baby for Carey87, 7 lb 8oz @ 42+1
08 May: Robin David, a 2nd baby for Woollymummy, 8lb 11 oz @ 41+3
09 May: 4 kittens for scorpio's cat!
10 May: Astrid Mary, a second dd for TheShipsCat, 8lb 8oz @ 42+0

Everyone having nice long weekend?

The highlight of my day so far...the cat peed of me . I was cutting back a lavender bush and he decided I was fair game for marking , either that or he is deliberately punishing me for something I'm yet to discover.
Am seriously questioning our reasons for keeping him.

DP's grandfather died today, so he's been very sad and DS has picked up on it a bit, generally wanting me almost constantly and bringing DP books and toys to play with. Very sweet. I think DP feels a bit disjointed or out of sync with his family - grandfather had suffered from alzheimer's so those closest to him seem to be feeling more relief that the end they've been expecting for a while has arrived. Whereas DP I think has stronger memories of GP being well, so is finding it hard to accept.

ParanoidMummy I have a nosey question, I think you said you were still on the pill when you were pregnant..this is my most common 'freak out' scenario. I'm not the most reliable pill-taker, but normally manage to catch up if I miss one day. Still I often find myself worrying 'what if I'm pregnant' and am still taking it. So did the GP say anything about any effects of the pill? Is it ok? (I mean, not ideal I guess, but not a disaster?)

Ladybee, how very inconsiderate of the cat! Wonder what brought that on!
I'm really sorry to hear about dp's grandfather. Weird how the little ones pick these feelings up, isn't it? Must be nice for dp seeing ds trying to cheer him up though.

Well, we had a brilliant trip to the Yurt in York. There's some pics on FB, but most of it could have been anywhere really - R having a royal time running through the mud and kicking ball with dh! He is such a cutie now, I could just smother him in kisses sometimes.

Hmm, on the broody topic, I know it's really really silly and everything, but I'm kind of disappointed that I'm not pregnant. Silly, as we're not actively trying or anything (I'm way too disorganised for the whole calendar thing!), but I think both of us would have been quite happy if it was that time again! Hey ho, prob for the better, I don't really want to have morning sickness when on holiday in SA in a month and a half, I guess.

That's funny Sal, I've got to decide today whether to start another pill pack or go off and start the whole shebang again. On the one hand, staying on would give me some idea of when to expect my next period (which is a good thing given wedding dates), on the other, staying off means body gets to try to get back into swing of things a bit faster.

I think I'll probably play it safe..am not quite ready for the possibility of getting pregnant straight away

BTW Sal, you should read Three Shoes, One Sock and No Hairbrush if you're seriously in need of a reality-check about having a second. I've just finished it and am forcing DP to read it (not his usual subject matter), not because it's totally shocking, but it does highlight some issues that we hadn't really thought about too much and it would probably be good to talk about them beforehand. It's a bit out-of-date in terms of job/pay/money stats, but I'd be surprised if the social research has changed much.

going from 1-2 was my hardest jump so far, but then again i had severe PND after Jamie was born so thats why it may appear so.

Zac gone home today and DH has taken all 3 boys with him, for the day so just Mimi & me at home. Back to School on Monday next week, not long.

I'm going to make a (secret) appointment with a money person at CAB/Children's centre to see what sort of money i would receive if i was alone with 3/4 dc, until i could work or return to uni. In some ways i feel like if in 50 years of marriage this is the worst thing that is going to happen, then i've done good. But in other ways, i feel like im staying as a family almost in 'waiting' mode - next time he could sleep with someone, get them pregnant, or even fall in love. Why should i wait? I do love him, yes, i can see this more 'logically, yes.... but he's a sneaky horrid liar, really, isn't he? I wouldn't have a liar friend, so why on earth am i living with/loving one?

You've got some really hard choices to make scorps, whichever way you go, but I think it is an excellent decision to find out your financial position without him so your decision is not being made on the basis of money issues (though obviously they will come into it). I'm so sorry you have to go through this, it ain't fair. Have you looked at relationship counselling?

Ellie, I have thought of it, but my only issue is that my husband is a lying cheat. It's more than lying though, it's things like i discovered a PAYG phone in June - and had it out with him. He said was work phone, phone had nothing on it (after he locked himself in bathroom with it ). A few days later i told him that i didn't feel right about it, that i felt he was making me doubt my own brain etc, i was sure i had caught him...He let me and encouraged me to think that all was ok, and that i was a suspicious old nag who should trust him. He has since admitted that that was the phone he rung/text her off alot. It's things like that; he actually swore on Smidge's life he wasn't doing anything with another woman. He swore on all of my children's lives, our marriage, everything. He actually never stopped kissing her either, he said. He did all this, knowing what i told him in October.

I just think i'm playing a waiting game, keeping the kids in a family as long as i can. God, i never set out for this in my life, i just wanted a nice faithful husband.

I think i will find out about my financial situation; i know at least that he will have to pay for the children in some way.

I am so sorry to talk about this here; i don't think i should be telling DH this. If i leave, I'm going to do it right out of the blue. Also weird timing as parents are moving to France soon. No family here anymore as sister off to Leeds Met uni in 2 weeks.

Good morning all Did you miss me? I haven't obviously caught up with all the messages yet but just want to say Scorps that what I've read so far I'm so, so sorry for you. Like I said, I haven't caught up on all of it so will go back a little and have a look.

DS1 has gone off in his "proper" uniform today as they've gone from PE Kit to proper polo shirts, tailored shorts & proper school shoes. He looks so grown-up it's frightening.

Sam is doing really really well at the mo. He now has a baby walker and likes nothing more than scooting round the living room scaring the hell out of the cat Cat is one unhappy moggy!!!

Going for a break now, back in a mo. Great to be back

Soph YAY

was literally just thinking of you! Bless Sam in his walker. Mimi loved hers!

I'm home alone (just me and mimi) today, soooo quiet.

It's nice when you get some time with just one of the little ones isn't it.

Guess what, we're coming to England next summer. Unfortunately we're only coming for a couple of weeks, one week down south, one week up north but I'm already sooo excited We had to get the boys passports quicker than we thought so they're all up-to-date. DH hasn't been back to England for a holiday for 5 years.

i looked on entitledto.com, and apparently with CTC and income support, for 3dc & me, its £204 p/week, all rent/ctax paid.

Will i get maintenance on top of that, or is that somehow knocked off? How am i supposed to live off that?

I suppose i get my child benefit on top of that though.

And after having baby total income would go up £63 p/w. (extra CTC & CB).

So before dc4 it would be 204 + 46 = £250 p/w.

Scorps, is that all? I thought it would be more. Don't you get some allowance towards looking after the baby whilst she is under 1 or something? What about help with school uniform? Free school meals?

I'm afraid I know very little about entitlements but I honestly thought it was more than that....

BR

Would get free school meals yes, and it appears would get to keep about £40 p/w from DH. He would have the children every weekend, so less costly for me.

?With dc4 it would be £310 p/wk

i think a real person would be able to tell me more, i will find out this week.

Goodness Scorps, that can't be all... that's ridiculous. Hopefully the CAB will give you better news than that. Is there a surestart grant of about £500 if you're on certain benefits while you're pg?

Soph, Hi! Brilliant that you're coming over, where in the North will you be?

Right (i have looked/read better)

£290 p/w me and 3dc
£365 (ish) me and 4dc

They 'let' me keep DH's money but give me less benefits. He would have them for tea a couple of times and overnight at least once a week, so less to get food wise.

At least i know he's a great father.

Was it really too mcuh to ask that he wasa great husband too?

When you're on income support they generally don't let you keep your maintenance
What you've got to consider though is exactly what you would be paying out with the £300 pounds per week (£1200 per month).

There would be food, gas, electric and water for essentials. Rent/CT would be paid for you pretty much, as would school meals so food for breakfast/dinner 7 days a week and lunch at weekends unless they were with DH. Plus you get vouchers for either real milk or baby powdered milk for the first year of DD2's life. It's not going to be a life of luxury but it's certainly doable if you want to leave him.

FWIW, we live off about £2000 a month when I'm not working, that includes £750 per month rent and £150 per month CT, plus car insurance and fuel and we aren't scrimping and saving by any means.

Oh and yes there is a £500 surestart grant if on either full Child tax credits or income support.

Gosh Scorps that doesn't seem much does it, although I suppose with good budgetting it is possible

Knitter - we would be staying at the Sandy Bay holiday/caravan park thingymejig, which I believe is just outside of Ashington, Northumberland. DH's mum would be coming with us & that's where she's from

I have just been made a very very happy bunny. The Headmaster came to me during INSET to say that he now wants the Library to be open until 4.50pm every day of the week. I already do 4 nights till then so really didn't want to do another, especially a Friday. However, I came up with an option which I never believed for one moment he would agree with and (shock, horror) he's agreed with me It means that my friend (also my colleague) who covers the hours I take Sam to the hospital, will have her hours extended and I'll be able to do her timetable to incorporate the late night on a Friday. I'm so happy Haven't told DH yet as his office isn't just down the corridor any more He'll be really pleased though as he wasn't looking forward to staying late & waiting for me to finish

Soph! Long time no speak!
good news about job and little Sam enjpying his babywalker

scorps - don't really know what to say as nothing can make it better, but please keep talking to us. Is a rotten situation, and you are being immensely brave in facing up to all this. The finances will be hard, but people manage, and if it is the right thing for you to make a fresh start, then that is what you need to do.

Hi Ellie, how goes it?

Off in a mo, see you all tomorrow

Bye Soph

I'm off out tonight for steak and chips with my friend yay