April 2009 - Chapter 4 - Rollin, rollin, rollin............and they are over but the arm is stuck

[PuzzleRocks]

12 Feb: Skiingone: MARIANNA 4lb 4oz
20 Feb: Glaskham: RUBY MARIE 4lb 3oz
04 Mar: Barbarella: ESTELLA, ROSANNA, OTIS
05 Mar: Kazkiss: ISABELLE FLORENCE 4lb 6oz & OLIVER THOMAS 3lb 7oz
15 Mar: Babypringle: OSCAR WILLIAM 7lb 2oz
28 Mar: Claireykitten: VIOLET ROSE 7lb 9oz
31 Mar: Mumblemum: ORSON XERXES
02 Apr: Oddeyes: ELEANOR 9lb 8oz
03 Apr: Bleuravin: MEGAN LILLIAN CONSTANCE
03 Apr: Bumpalump: JACOB 8lb
04 Apr: BabyBolat: KARAHAN 6lb 5oz
05 Apr: Mrsfossil: ISLA LILIAN 7lb 10oz
05 Apr: JumeirahJane: MILLICENT ROSE 5lb 15oz
06 Apr: BoffinMum: FELIX DAVID GORDON 7lb 9oz
08 Apr: girlylala0807 JAMES EUAN
11 Apr: SpringySunshine: GEORGE NATHAN 8lb 15oz
11 Apr: RachelinScotland: CLEMENT JAMES 8lb 14oz
11 Apr: Lou031205: ISLA SOPHIA 7lb 9oz
11 Apr: Electra: ISABELLA CAROLINE 6lb 3oz
11 Apr: AuldAlliance: ALEXANDRE 7lb 6oz
12 Apr: Phdlife: Name TBA GIRL 9lb 3oz
12 Apr: BethDivine: Name TBA GIRL 9lb 9oz
13 Apr: MathsMummy27: AMELIA CHARLOTTE
14 Apr: Purlease: ADAM 9lb 2oz
15 Apr: Juwesm: HUGO GEORGE 9lb 2oz
15 Apr: Bronze: ISAAC JOHN
15 Apr: HeidiT: HEIDI
15 Apr: Kalikaroo: Name TBA BOY 8lb
15 Apr: Minush: ZAFIRAH ROSA 7lb 12oz
15 Apr: FatandFedup: EMILIA ROSE 7lb 6oz
16 Apr: PuzzleRocks: HOLLY ELIZABETH 8lb
16 Apr: Brettgirl: HANNAH GRACE 6lb 15oz
16 Apr: ReallyTired: Name TBA GIRL
17 Apr: DungunGirl: ADEN LEE 9lb 4oz
18 Apr: Staryeyed: Name TBA BOY 7lb 11oz
18 Apr: Dawntigga: SAMUAL 5lb 11oz
20 Apr: LuLuBai: SEBASTIAN 9lb
20 Apr: Swaliswan: BETH 7lb 9oz
21 Apr: Kittycatisgettingfat: GABRIELLA AUDREY BIANCA
21 Apr: B52s: SAM MARTIN 7lb 9oz
21 Apr: Schulte: HAZEL LOIS 7lb 9 oz
21 Apr: Mrsgboring: EDMUND 8lb 12oz
23 Apr: Tristaleejac: LEWIN 8lb 4oz
23 Apr: NuttyTaff: TIAHNA SKYE 8lb 8oz
23 Apr: Purplemonkeydishwasher: ISLA ELIZABETH 8lb 14oz
24 Apr: Soon2befamilyof4: TALIA 7lb 6oz
26 Apr: Carameli: THEO LAURENCE 7lb 6oz
26 Apr: Surprisenumber3: EVIE ANNE 8lb 2oz
26 Apr: Bicnod: OSCAR MATTHEW 8lb 1oz
27 Apr: Lauren61: OLIVER STEPHEN 7lb 7oz
27 Apr: Gingersarah: VERONICA ROISIN 9lb 1oz
30 Apr: MegBusset: ARCHIE 8lb 15oz
01 May: Satheresitting: Name TBA BOY
03 May: Conkertree: Name ANGUS ANDREW 8lbs 8oz
06 May: Frekkles: HARRIS MERLIN 8lb 5.5oz
07 May: TarteTatin: ALBERT JOHN
10 May: Ilovesummer: Name TBA BOY

We put Holly's into a stakeholder account with the same provider as Ellen's. It has performed predictably and i'm pretty satisfied so far. We put a small amount in each month and any other money they get goes into their regular savings accounts.

Boff will be doing something similar here. Has to be said we made out like bandits on bank shares from the crash

I know it's been tough for a lot of people - we are trying to sell a house right now - but we had the cash saved and they have exceeded my cautious expectations. We think we may be able to pay off the mortgage in 5 years if they grow and hit our original targets - sooner if they carry on the way they are!

We are currently looking at investing in builders such as Persimmon etc as I think the housing market will come back fairly quickly. Then sell up and get out of that market.

WeDoTalkAboutVariedThingsTiggaxx

"And then put hot weather into that equation" hahahaha!!!!! Well ladies, here is a reminder that purple doesn't live in the UK and I am very

Our financial experience is that we have made the most money by bunging it in a savings account. We have just closed our Halifax homeplan and it has less money in it than we started. (We need money for house move). Therefore, we have done the opposite and put it into the safest one possible - we'll know who was right in about 18 years We are intending to pay more into it though, if I wasn't then I would have gone higher risk.

Overall though, we have done pretty well out of credit crunch really because DH has a sideline which he sells computer games in dollars.

In terms of antenatal classes, I think that DH learnt a hell of a lot so they were worthwhile for that!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh ooh I have no idea what to do with the money - any help anyone can give me on that would be great - I don't even know if I have to fill out forms or anything

Hello all!

Puzzle how funny about LuLu! Schultes no idea about crayons!

Good and Bad day today...

Bad: K still feeding like a monster (not as bad as before thank goodness), and he is having massive massive night tremors so is scared to sleep = he is dying here with need to sleep but he wont allow himself to go unless he is on my boob! Also My house is a tip - not even slightly messy, like not been hovered all week, toy explosion, unwashed dishes mess!!!

Good: DH got a new contract (yay) It's Friday!! (double yay), K pulled himself up on the sofa and stood staring at me and DH for 5 minutes and then toppled over! Bless him (triple yay)

Hope everyone is ok!

Very quick me post (sorry!)

I'm barely surviving on the sleep I'm getting these days, with George never sleeping for more than 90 minutes at a time, often less. I'm averaging 5 hours of broken sleep. My marriage is going to hell in a handbasket, so I've decided to introduce formula & try mixed feeding from tomorrow (16 weeks). Feel really shit about it, but something has to give & I'd rather have some sanity & a family than an exclusively breastfed child.

Will be back properly soon. DH is out & I'm alone with George who feeds even more often during the day. Typing one-handed as it is. & he has a tooth now. Hmm.

Love to everyone xxx

#i'm pisse doff about the trust fund thing. I bet there are millions of people out there who don't understand the whole shares thing etc yet we're supposed to do something with this money. I just opedned trust fund accounts me my bank as I had no idea what to do. They're no wortyh about a third of what they were originally. I'm so glad we put our money in savings accounts for them. Wish I could have done it with this trust fund too.

Its annoying because the children of educated parents who know what theyre doing will end up with more money than those who don't.

K stood up ?????

BB - You have three choices.

SAVINGS ACCOUNT
This is a very good option if you are risk adverse. If you want to guarantee that you get back at least what you put in then this is the one for you. Downside is that the returns are minimal, what you get out probably wont be a massive deal more than what you put in.
And bear in mind that the real value of the money could go down because of inflation and pricing so if you work out what you will get back after 18 years just remember it's purchasing power will most likely be far less than it is today.

STAKEHOLDER ACCOUNT
This puts your money into a mix of shares and low risk investments. You could potentially make good returns but equally you could get back less than you invested. The money is put into medium to high risk (with high returns) investments for 13 years and then low risk for the last five.
It's a good option if you have a little bit you could afford to lose each month. Although of course, you can just invet the government voucher.
You should bear in mind that it is a 18 year commitment so there will be periods where you money appears to be doing well and periods where it appears to be doing less well or badly. I think you really just have to ride it out.

EQUITY ACCOUNT
For smart cookies like Boff who know the money markets. Again the principles of risk and return apply. You could stand to do very very well with this one but you need to know what you are doing.
Charges may apply to ivestments for this account.

There really wont be any way of telling who made the wisest decision after eighteen years simply because there are so many different providers.

Have I bored everyone senseless?

Can I just echo Ju?

"K stood up?????????"

BB - Forgot to add, congrats to your DH.

bb get ye over to gifted and talented

Springy - Bless him with his tooth.
Don't you dare feel bad missy. You have exclusively breastfed for four months. You'll still be breastfeeding him. You need to do what is best for you both all round. There is no black and white to parenting. Except maybe letting them drink gin, which I would never do anyway because I couldn't bear to share.
Loads of love to you.

Baby S has been standing with help for a few days now - I worry that dp is trying to force his development. DP seems to think that babies develop in film time rather than real time!

HavingToExplainToDPAllTheTimeThatJustBecauseBabiesOnTVAndFilmDoThingsInNoTimeDoesn'tMeanRea lBabiesDoTiggaxx

Hold on a sec... there are April babies here who can STAND and have TEETH? Maybe even ones who sleep through the night? Hazel is seriously behind

Puzzle how funny that you met LuLu. Now BB is back from her outrageously long holiday maybe we can arrange another picnic in the park?

I managed to get the marks off with nail polish remover in the end, thanks everyone for tips!

Had a lovely lazy day, one of my best friends came for the day (she has only just left) and played with the DDs, and brought along a whole cake too. And the sun is shining!

Oh Izy can weight bear Tigga it's a bit different to standing from sitting?/lying holding onto something.

Izy doesnt even roll yet, does the arm trapped thing, but he loves standing on my lap so he can look out the window behind me

Don't you think we should leave the poor April 2010 mums alone? Hands up who's lurking and secretly relieved we're not going through it all again?

I wish I was though I am leaving them alone though after my one post. Looked at Izy just now and burst into tears, my lasdt baby is getting big!

Evening ladies!
Sorry I haven't caught up in a while, have had a quick read through now.

Congrats BB on DH job but about K pulling himself up to standing - wow! Well done K!

E doesn't roll all the way over yet (13 weeks), she too gets stuck on her arm and gets angry and shouts and then just puts her head on the mat and looks at me

Juw - brill on H's weightgain - well done you two!

I am worried E isn't feeding enough. She goes to sleep about 8.30 pm and seriously never wakes until at least 7 am when DH alarm goes off. Sometimes she sleeps til 9 am when I wake her and feed her and sometimes she doesn't wake properly then and goes back to sleep for another hour or so! She only has 10 mins naps in the day though. She doesn't seem to have as much as she used to but is feeding about every 1.5-2 hours during the day but not as much as volume-wise as before. Weight gain seems okay (7 oz a week every week without fail). But I worry about dehydration etc. The HV looked horrified when I told her how long she goes without being fed at night. But if I get her out and try to feed her when she's asleep she just sticks her bottom lip out and shuts her mouth tight! What would you do?

Funny about Puzzle and Lulu

Still haven't had any child benefit, I sent it off 12 weeks ago now! anyone else?

Schulte - Yes let's get a park date pencilled in.

Surprise - I have been getting mine for ages now. Get on the phone and shout at them and make sure it's back dated.

surprise- get onto them otherwise they'll saythey cant backdate it even if it is their fault
If Es putting on weight I wouldnt wory and just thank your lucky stars. I actually enjoy mymiddle of the night feeds. Noone hassling us and Izy giving me big grins just for me

I have phone them twice and have been told 'they're still dealing with it'. They say it will be backdated but goodness knows why it's taking so long when I already get it for the other two.

Bronze - I loved my middle of the night feeds too. Nothing else to worry about, no phone ringing, people at door, kids arguing etc. It was lovely.

I third that sentiment. Especially with a baby who happily goes back to sleep after.
It's when I get to really appreciate her gorgeous smell.

Springy, FWIW I think you're doing amazingly, and do remember very few babies were exclusively bf after 4 months even ten years ago. It's a new-fangled thing. I always stopped when mine got teeth.

Re: Investments. I do understand markets and products, but rarely give my money to other people to invest like that. My (somewhat arrogant) logic is that if they were that clever they would be doing my job. I spend my spare money on a) lovely final salary occupational pension, b)healthcare, c)education and d)property. That way I know where it is and what it's doing. Probably unconventional but there you go. The thing about the voucher was that it was 'free' money and therefore worth playing with.

Surprise, if I had a baby who slept that long I would be cracking open the champers! Felix only has one night feed, usually around 3am, but occasionally will go through from 8pm to around 6am if I am lucky. This is invariably on nights where I have gone to bed very late though.

Morning all!

Does anyone else have a child that acts like Bear Grylls! Seriously he has a death warrant - he is throwing himself off everything! When he rolls over he doesn't just just turn he flings himself over with a thud! He threw himself forward as we were putting him in the car seat the other day and almost flew out and constantly wants to be thrown around - not gently rocked but aeroplane sounds flying upside down across the room! I've spent the past few weeks saying I can't wait until he can crawl but now I am dreading it - I haven't got enough hands and eyes to keep hold of him!! Having said that he has now almost worked out how to get on all fours (God help me!!) He is currently led in his jungle gym attacking the animals

Oh he may have pulled himself up but that will be it for a while - he is not a consistent baby!

I don't like night feeds as there are still so bloody many!!

Oh yes Schultes - am so bloody pleased - don't get me wrong I want more babies but the thought of going through that again right now!!! Good Lord!