A new royal start

QueenJess

Grogged said:

You certainly pack a lot in - as ever in awe!
One thing at a time ticked off your list seems a sensible approach.
Hope hospital went smoothly.
ATB, G.

It was fine in the end. Turned out I had the first appointment of the day. For a few minutes I wondered if I found the right bit of the hospital as there was no one around at all!

One down. Another review on Thursday (locally with a likely hospital referral for extra scans/tests) and a scan next week at the hospital. I know they are being careful and doing what they need to, but it is all making me more anxious with all these appointments!

savingholmes

At least they are trying to look after you. Are there any options for DS childcare during the birth? Do you have any friends nearby that you could call on?

QueenJess

savingholmes said:

At least they are trying to look after you. Are there any options for DS childcare during the birth? Do you have any friends nearby that you could call on?

Oh yes, I am a fan of the NHS and they are doing what they need to.  Luckily I escaped without further referrals for now, so just the extra scan next week to go.  Still working on the birth options.. don't really know anyone nearby, but am hoping the covid vaccinations will hurry up and hit my parents so at least there would be an option that they could come and stay.  Trying to still think through the alternative options for various times/emergencies.

QueenJess

This week feels like it's been the longest week of all time.  Clinging on to get by day to day with more than full time work, increasing childcare commitments (DH is getting really busy at work too) and the usual cleaning, cooking, baking etc etc etc.

Failures for this month:

• Joint account debt (to ourselves/pots): Increased quite a bit to £1,846.26 (December: £1,621.40).  However, the reason for this was I bought almost all the baby stuff I needed and also brought forward lots of things I was planning to buy in Feb in Jan.  Plus, I forgot I had 3 birthdays to plan for in Jan, including DS's party tomorrow (just at home with us of course).  Maybe I got a bit excited with actually having a job!  Not planning many purchases in Feb apart from a steam cleaner and a couple of other bits and nothing planned for March and April at least, so I should be able to catch up again.
• Baby cleaning: I still have to clean baby car seat, moses basket, pram and lots of the toys..  hoping to start making more progress on this.  Also have the next size up of clothes to wash and file.
• My birthday: It's in a week and I've not given it a thought at all.  No idea what I want, what I want to do (at home) or anything.  Need to quickly get some plans as obviously I'll have to do it all myself...

Wins for this month:

• Furniture: Got rid of almost all the extra furniture/stuff cluttering up the baby room.  Only got a couple of things left now.
• Baby things: Bought almost everything now, including consumables (wasn't going to get any yet, but I needed to order something else which was only £2 so just got it all early).  Just got two more things to get now, plus a steam cleaner.  Cleaned the cot yesterday, put it back to a cot (from a toddler bed) and moved it out of DS's room in ours ready (didn't want to move it too late as it will be heavy - this way we took it apart first to move it).  Even got DS a present from new baby when she is born and DS has chosen a present for the new baby too.
• All birthdays planned and survived.  DS's birthday is tomorrow and I have a whole day planned out with him (have the day off) with various scheduled video calls with family throughout the day.  Presents organised and wrapped and all presents received from family and safely hidden away.  Chocolate cake made this morning, food for his little lunchtime party planned and purchased.  I even have balloons and party hats   Hopefully he'll have a brilliant time despite just being at home.
• Cleaning: Amazingly up to date with all the cleaning and even managed to tackle the washing machine yesterday and cleaned a couple of kitchen drawers out that were irritating me!  Even the bathroom towel rails and hinges on the toilets have had all their rust removed and then sealed with a little bit of car wax so hopefully they won't go rusty again.
• Vouchers: Investigated my credit card and had enough points for £45 worth of vouchers.  They can go towards the baby things/steam cleaner.
• Extra earnings/budget saved: Somehow I managed to find an extra £295.62, which has gone into my ISA for this year.
• Food: Everyone has been fed very well and lots of baking been done.  Chocolate chip cookies are happily being munched on that I made yesterday.

My brain is all fuzzy after the jam packed week/(s) and I'm not clear on what I have left to do now!  Doing some extra cleaning today so I don't need to do any cleaning tomorrow and can spend the whole day with DS.  Next month aims:

• Need to seriously tackle this joint debt next month - will aim for less than £1,400 next month.  
• Steam cleaner needs to be purchased very soon to clean the car seats and other odd baby things... back to the research on those!
• Extra earnings/budget savings £250
• Start filling the freezer with batch cooking meals before baby is born
• Finish all baby purchases, baby cleaning and the room!
• Stock up on all consumables so no thought necessary when baby is born!
• Sort out plans for baby birth...

DS is going back to nursery mid next week (cases here are actually lower than last time DS was in nursery) and I am not working full time in Feb, so it should all help...

savingholmes

Hugs. It's a difficult situation you are in. My sister came and looked after DS after my MIL let me down for birth of child number 2. She came in the middle of the night and we made it to hospital to give birth just a few hours later.

QueenJess

savingholmes said:

Hugs. It's a difficult situation you are in. My sister came and looked after DS after my MIL let me down for birth of child number 2. She came in the middle of the night and we made it to hospital to give birth just a few hours later.

It is a bit of a headache... my problem is that if I am having a baby I won't be getting much notice... last time I went to the hospital and straight to give birth!  Waiting for my scan on Thursday to see if I have to have a caesarean first so then I can plan from that.

savingholmes

How old are your parents? My parents and MIL have both had their vaccinations. TBF to MIL - she let me down as she was already scheduled to take my nephew to school... It obviously irritated me - as I can still remember it - and DD is 17 now. I think make sure you have your hospital bag packed with spare battery packs, antibacterial and deodorising wipes,  hand sanitiser, drinks, snacks - anything you might need while you are in there - and try and do a domino delivery - where you get out within about 6 hours after the birth if they'll let you - to minimise the risk of hospital acquired infection. Sorry to worry you. I hated hospitals at the  best of times... With my first I stayed in 42 hours and hated it - with my second I was out by hour 8 and stressing it wasn't sooner!!

savingholmes

Do you have your own tens machine? It really helped me - as did listening to music. Again I'd make sure I had enough batter power for that. I took a CD into mine and played a song called Rescue Me on repeat!! I probably drove the staff insane!!

QueenJess

My parents are 67+ and won't get theirs until March, so it is a bit dodgy.  I just don't need all that stuff you listed... I don't really do pain relief.  I just need 1 husband, lots of snacks (I got hungry last time) and obviously my own hand cleaning stuff (probably allergic to the hospital ones anyway).   I took music last time, but didn't want it - probably won't bother this time.  Only a few hours anyway... I think last time I arrived at hospital by 6:30am and the baby was born 3 hours later (and that was with the midwives telling me things started to slow down!).  Hoping that my body is less shocked this time since it's the second time through as that was the main reason for a hospital stay last time.

I was the only person on the entire ward last time I was in and the nurses kept asking if I needed anything as they didn't have anyone else to care for!  I was happy to stay in as there were a few issues, but got sick of it after a few days.  I really don't want to be there this time and will do anything I can to escape!

savingholmes

Hope you find a solution that works for you all