SF's road to mortgage freedom!

slowlyfading

We've had such a stressful day! DS didn't sleep, as per usual. Was awake multiple times during the night, so I'm feeling rubbish, as always it seems. Then, DS developed a purple rash on his legs this morning. I rang the 111 number to speak to someone about it and the woman I spoke to said I needed to take him to A&E straight away. So, there's me in a massive panic, taking DS to A&E, thinking the worse. Thankfully, it isn't anything to worry about; we just need to keep an eye on it in case it spreads to the rest of his body, or changes colour. I get so worried about him anyway, so whenever something happens when something could be seriously wrong makes me very stressed and anxious So thankful that he's okay.

Not much else to report; it's been a NSD and I'm absolutely shattered.

I need a cup of tea.

edinburger - we'd be more than thrilled with only one waking in the night and a lie in until 8am! It sounds like a dream at the moment...

slowlyfading

I text the HV in desperation this morning after another long night. DS woke every hour again, plus had a two hour stretch where he was just awake. She managed to fit in a visit this afternoon, where she talked through some options. We're going to go shopping tomorrow for things to begin to put DS on solids; the advice says wait until 6 months and he'll be that next week, so she doesn't see any harm in trying that now. She also said that he's taking the mick a bit! So for his afternoon nap today, I made him go to sleep without holding my hand, and I kept leaving the room and then coming back to settle him if needed. It took a long 25 minutes, but he got himself to sleep eventually. I need to do this again this evening, even if it means a long night. In the long run, it'll do us both good.

I was meant to go to a new baby and toddler group this afternoon but with the HV coming round, plus being ridiculously tired, I didn't manage to take him. Hoping to next week; the sleeping thing will hopefully be a bit better by then.

Another NSD for me today; up to 20 for the month now! I won't make my target now, as we're going out tomorrow and I'll need to do some food shopping at the weekend, but I'm quite happy with how January has been. I'm only on SMP so our funds are quite low, so NSDs are a necessity at the moment really. It's a good job I'm good at them

Quite looking forward to doing the accounts shuffle at the end of the month - I don't think I'll be able to save the £400 I wanted to, but I shouldn't be far off. I think I was being a bit optimistic to be honest, but never mind. I know now!

DS is just waking from his nap; at least that's gone well today.

Karmacat

slowlyfading wrote: »

She also said that he's taking the mick a bit! So for his afternoon nap today, I made him go to sleep without holding my hand, and I kept leaving the room and then coming back to settle him if needed. It took a long 25 minutes, but he got himself to sleep eventually.

I wouldn't *quite* phrase it that way :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: but yes, he needs to learn to sleep on his own.

No wonder you've been blinking exhausted! And solids too, yay ... hopefully this is a turning point for you :kisses3:

slowlyfading

I can't believe I'm pleased about this, but DS had a three hour stretch last night when it was asleep! A whole three hours! What has my life come to :rotfl: he's also liking his first taste of actual food; he's had some sweet potato puree for the last two nights and although he wasn't too sure at first, he's polished it off both times so I think it's a hit

I've sold some things on the bay of e this week; it's added up to £25-ish so not too bad if I can keep up a steady stream of selling things on there, then it'll be a nice little extra each month. We seem to buy things via paypal at the moment so if I can build up some cash in there then it won't be using the minimal amount we've got in our current account.

I've also been trying to keep the blogging momentum up, but it's hard when I'm still shattered. I'm hoping that I'll be able to be on top of it again soon; I do enjoy it but it takes a lot more time than I was expecting, and since I'm so tired, everything takes longer than normal anyway! It's a vicious circle.

I'm on the second day of not eating chocolate/crisps/sweets/cakes/biscuits and oh my goodness, is it hard. I hadn't realised just how snack-y I'd become. I'm currently having a cuppa as DS is napping and I would LOVE a custard cream to dip into it. But, I'm trying to cut back as I need to do something about my left over pregnancy weight as DS turns six months old at the weekend so I can't use it as an excuse anymore

Right, going to try and have a catch up on here whilst DS naps

Karmacat

That's sounding better!

On the snacks thing - something Oprah Winfrey said has always stuck in my mind that if you don't want to keep using sugar, you need *flavour* - so that means lots of herbs and spices, vanilla extract, chilis, anything you can think of that isn't saturated in calories ...

I'll be in touch later about the other thing - hope the rest of today goes just as well :kisses3:

slowlyfading

Well, I must have jinxed it yesterday as we had a really rubbish night last night, and DS has been really clingy and bad tempered all day today. I'm so tired he's asleep now so I'm going to bed in a minute in the hopes I can get an hour or two before he wakes up!

Another NSD here; I haven't spent anything in February yet so I'm pleased with how the start has gone. Posted a couple more ebay parcels but as they pay for postage, it doesn't matter.

Short and sweet - cup of tea and bed I think!

Lomcevak

slowlyfading wrote: »

Well, I must have jinxed it yesterday as we had a really rubbish night last night, and DS has been really clingy and bad tempered all day today. I'm so tired he's asleep now so I'm going to bed in a minute in the hopes I can get an hour or two before he wakes up!

Hi SF - I'd echo what others have said about trying not to despair, it can be a very difficult time (one of ours was a big baby, always hungry, and could be a complete sleepless monster at times) but even though it can seem endless at times it does pass and they get much easier.

Going back a few posts, one thing i'd suggest (hard as it may be) is to not worry too much right now about the longer-term things like mortgage OPs and early retirement - I know that can be hard if you're goal-oriented and have always had a long-term view of things, but don't feel like you're "failing" because you feel you're not exactly on plan right now. With an infant you're in a temporary short-term tough spell in a long term plan, and you'll emerge from the current challenges very soon - even if it doesn't seem like it will ever end. It got better for us almost overnight, suddenly the little monster started sleeping and everything seemed to pick up with that - and there's plenty of time to get back on track again.

enthusiasticsaver

slowlyfading wrote: »

Well, I must have jinxed it yesterday as we had a really rubbish night last night, and DS has been really clingy and bad tempered all day today. I'm so tired he's asleep now so I'm going to bed in a minute in the hopes I can get an hour or two before he wakes up!

My daughter is going through this at the moment SF with her 4 and a half month old DD. The dreaded 4 month sleep regression apparently which if you google it is prevalent around 4-6 months so it is nothing you are doing wrong. So sorry for you and hope he gets through this stage quickly so you can get some sleep. I am amazed you can find the energy to continue updating here and your blog which I find interesting.


Hope your DS starts to sleep better soon for you. Who knew parenthood was so difficult? I have to say looking back years later it is a blur and we all survived but seeing what my daughter and SIL are going through now it brings it all back Do you have any help from family and friends?

pavlovs_dog

just wanted to say thanks for sharing the links to various financial blogs via your blog, I enjoy your posts and the accounts you link to. Nice to get some fresh ideas.

Karmacat

Hi SF

Could you please do me a favour, when you can, and look at post 3745 (I think) on my blog? I just posted it a few minutes ago, Monday morning - its just about Adsense, thats all, I wondered if there was any input you could give me?

Ta! I know you're really overloaded, don't worry if it feels too much xxx