Preparing for a new arrival in 2011

wendz86

Thanks everyone. I am a tired but happy Mummy! She has been settling in OK, been hard work but worth it.

It is payday for me but they haven't paid me in full which they should still be doing at the moment so have e-mailed my HR about it. Don't have my payslip so can't see what they have done.

Got some good news today as well that i have been given a payrise! Is only a small one but i didn't expect it being on maternity leave. Will get a bit extra the next month or so and then will be on more when i go back which is good news.

lilmissmup

Hope the wages get sorted, you dont need any extra stress!

wendz86

Sorry for not posting in a while but been a bit busy funnily hehe.

Managed to sort out the pay thing, it was because they pay me for weeks of maternity pay so some months i will get 4 weeks and some 5. Meant that I put less in savings than I was going to but next month will put more in.

Things are going OK with the baby. She is hungry all the time which is hard work but she is generally a good baby. We have been to see my Grandma, Auntie and Uncle and parents this weekend which was nice but tiring. Iam hoping i will get some more sleep when she starts being able to go longer between eating!

Everyone has been so generous with presents and have got loads of clothes, teddies etc. Also this weekend got a card from everyone at my work with £120 mamas and papas vouchers , was really shocked was so much and will be able to get some nice stuff for her with it. Also my Auntie and Uncle sent me £20 m and s vouchers and i got £6 from my credit card so will get her something from there too.

In other money news I got £25 cheque in post from a survey site. Has been waiting a while for that so that was good.

Hope everyone is well and had a nice weekend.

wendz86

All is going well with baby, got her weighed today and she is gaining so all looking good.

Is OH's last day off today and he is back to work so will just be the two of us, but will be nice to settle into a routine.

We went to the shops today and i went to the libary and got a couple of new books. Is good to have something to read when feeding in the middle of the night but sometimes my eyes don't want to stay open. Also paid in my cheque from survey site and another one my great aunt sent for a present for Poppy.

Got a parcel today of some nappies to test from a survey site. Very useful one to test and saves us a bit of money!

lellybun

Well done Wendz, your baby girl looks a cutie! and I love her name!

wendz86

Thanks Lellybun!

Can't believe i haven't been on here in so long.

Baby is still doing well, slowly starting to get in the swing of things and get some other things done. Taking her to be weighed again tomorrow.

Moneywise, I get paid Friday and have done really well this month moneywise, probably mainly because I have been so busy i think. The money i have left i am putting towards having a bit of a shopping spree for summer clothes. Haven't bought myself any new clothes for ages so will be nice to spoil myself a bit while i am still on full pay.

I managed to redeem for a cheque today from a survey site which will be good when it comes in a few weeks.

OH has managed to get a few days off begining of August so we are planning on a little holiday to the lake district. I have quite a lot of family up there so will be able to see them too. My Mum is going to come with us and maybe my sister too which will be nice.

wendz86

Wow I haven't written in my diary in two months, oops!

All is well with us. Poppy is now 3 months and starting to do more things, am feeling like I am coping more as a parent although is still knackering!

We are going away on a trip to the lake district for 5 days next week with my mum and sister. We have got family up there so will be nice to see them.

Moneywise I have started a challenge from Dinahs Ultimate Incentive thread to try and save £1000. Would be really helpful as I woud like to stay on maternity leave as long as possible and any extra money will enable me to do that. I am trying to do lots of surveys and might have to try and fid some other ways to make some money.

Anyway will try and update here more often!

wendz86

I am very neglectful of this diary...must try harder.

Poppy is 6 months next week, can't believe it! She is getting close to crawling as well which is pretty scary. She already gets around really well rolling etc.

I am a bit low on money for the rest of this month so need to be careful. Next month should be a bigger payday though because of the way maternity pay is paid and i am getting some holiday pay too.

Will need to use some of the money for Christmas pressies though, am hoping to be organised and buy at least half by next month. I have got most of poppys already! Just ordered a photo mug from argos that have an offer on for OH's mum. We have a lot of people to buy for as OH's family so will be good to be organised.

I have also set myself some challenges on Dinahs thread and one is to do at least £15 worth of surveys a week. Done well this week and done £22.50 already! Using any vouchers i get towards christmas pressies and money will be going in savings towards childcare/car insurance etc next year.

Will try and post more often now as will be good to help motivate me.

wendz86

Not a very exciting weekend here. Cleaned the bathroom yesterday and have been doing some hoovering and dusting today, done the bedroom and hallway. Might go on a walk this afternoon with Poppy to get some air.

Haven't managed to do any more surveys but weekends are usually pretty slow.

Realised that is only 6 1/2 weeks till i'm putting up my christmas tree haha, excited!

wendz86

Done even more housework today, don't know whats come over me! Have dusted and hoovered the lounge. Is good doing a bit each day as it gets done and seems less daunting.

Managed to do £2.50 of surveys today so far which is pretty good. Doing good on OP at the mo, only redeemed not long ago and already nearly on £10.

Took Poppy to a baby and toddler group we haven't been to before which was nice. One of the other mums i know was there so was nice to have a chat. They are having a halloween party in two weeks so bought her a cat outfit for £6 from sainsburys for that. I have also put my name down to have her photos taken next wednesday as they have a photogrpaher coming in but she is only a local sort of one so cheaper than a lot of places. Will be nice to have some photos to keep and give as pressies.