MSE Pregnancy Club 26

fluffysox

Rummer wrote: »

I didn't think you could claim for tax credits if you were not eligible before maternity leave as they base claims on your previous years earnings? Hopefully I am wrong as it would really help us when I am off if we could claim for some extra income.

I find tax credits very confusing. So far not been entitled to them but when I researched two years ago the procedure was to apply with details of last year's income and then send a change of circumstances form so they then reassess based on new income. Of course it is done on tax years (Apr-March) so although you may be on maternity leave for a year, it may work out that only 6 months of it fall in one tax year.

KScarlet

Congrats Lucifer! X

Thanks for the vertbaudet code! I can't seem to get it to work, not sure whether I'm doing something wrong! Kerri can I please ask which sleeping bags you ordered? I desperately need some! X

Re: income drops I can't imagine how hard it is to lose so much money while off work although I would love to earn more I am quite relieved I wil only be dropping about £80 per month which I'm hoping I can save in fuel I use commuting. Xx

We went to the baby show, it was good but I wouldn't say amazing! I'm glad the tickets were free! We managed to buy some items we wanted, got a free mam bottle, goody bag, some weaning stuff, magazine etc. I felt like there wasn't as much there as I'd hoped. The entire show didn't take long to walk around. Otherwise I enjoyed it though

BabaMoose

KScarlet wrote: »

We went to the baby show, it was good but I wouldn't say amazing! I'm glad the tickets were free! We managed to buy some items we wanted, got a free mam bottle, goody bag, some weaning stuff, magazine etc. I felt like there wasn't as much there as I'd hoped. The entire show didn't take long to walk around. Otherwise I enjoyed it though

We went too - also glad our tickets were free, don't think I'd have been impressed if I had paid full price. I didn't end up buying anything but picked up a few freebies (no mam bottle !) and got to chat to the Water Babies guy which was good, as we have one right by me that I've been thinking about for a while. Must say we were only there for an hour at tops I think.

Went to Trafford Centre afterwards and had a look around Mamas & Papas and ended up coming away with a free 'Armadillo' rattle...!

KScarlet

The mam bottle I got with a voucher you print online. They only had 300odd to give out and I thought we would be too late but it looked like barely anyone had claimed one, I saw it on the Babyshow website. Armadillo rattle sounds interesting?! Funnily enough we did the same thing, went to Trafford centre and looked in Mamas and papas! Slightly gutted I didn't get a widgey feeding pillow from the show (£15) but they sold out when I went to get one! I felt like every stand was selling dribble bibs! I'm planning to make my own so didn't need any! I did get 2 baby lifting blankets though (snugglebundl) as I had planned on buying one anyway (DH offered to buy 2 so I went with it!)

BabaMoose

Snugglebundl went on to my wishlist for family !

KScarlet

They aren't the cheapest (even the show promotions!) but I felt it would be useful especially with a winter baby. I had a play with one tonight, it's really well made and feels very strong/ sturdy. Whenever my family ask 'what to buy' they never buy what I ask for. I know it sounds ungrateful of me but i don't get why they ask?! So we are just buying everything we need. I wasn't overly impressed by the £12 rrp goody bags, they were just Emma's diary packs with a pack of wipes, bath stuff and 4 nappies. Not really £12 worth! Sorry I do sound like a moany ungrateful cow tonight! I blame insomnia!

vic3

Morning all, congrats on all the recent births! Hope all of you and your little ones are doing well.

I've been awake since 2am. I've a horrible sore throat and am congested. I just know that I've had it from work as my colleagues wouldn't stay at home when they were ill grrr. Any ideas how I can make it better?

Hope everyone is well (and cold free!) x

TTC40

Congrats luciferswench, glad you are both OK.

I know we all want our birth experience to be as we plan & anticipate but IMO as long as the baby & I come through it OK, I need to accept medical decisions (but hopefully will be in a suitable place to discuss/ question them as birth progresses).

I went out on Friday night to see a band & stayed up until 2.00am! Check me out! Then yesterday did a couple of hours of light gardening which involved bending etc.

Paid the price as was shattered by mid afternoon! Managed not to have a nap though & went to bed at 10.30pm. Slept until 7.30am (other than one wee & answering the phone to some drunk friends who called to sing to me at 1.00am ), so a good night compared to others recently when I have been up 4-6 times. Activity must be good for me.

I agree with the recent comments about income changes. We all build our lifestyle around what we are used to. OH & I earn a similar amount - both considered good salaries so when mine stops it will be a shock. That said, we are making the final mortgage payment this week :j which will give us more options about my return to work (which is a year away). I know this is in contrast to many others on the thread who are just starting with mortgages - but remember OH & I are old enough to be parents to some of you!!!!! (42 & 46).

lilymay1

Morning ladies.

Just nipping on to ask about the baby show. I was planning on going in a few hours but only really want to see the iCandy stand to see if they can better the price I have already been quoted for what I want. Are the discounts generally much better than elsewhere or am I likely to be wasting my time? It's quite a long way to go if I am only going to be disappointed!

Lily 27+1

Lola888

lilymay1 wrote: »

Morning ladies.

Just nipping on to ask about the baby show. I was planning on going in a few hours but only really want to see the iCandy stand to see if they can better the price I have already been quoted for what I want. Are the discounts generally much better than elsewhere or am I likely to be wasting my time? It's quite a long way to go if I am only going to be disappointed!

Lily 27+1

In my experience you'll find it cheaper online. When I went I was looking for the Uppababy Vista or the M&P Sola and there was 10% off the Sola and nothing off the Vista, but it did mean I could have a play with the Vista as it was very new and not in many shops. You can price match online/in store as well so I would say online is the way to go