Exciting Announcement and Advice Needed :)

[Connie106]

congrats...so exciting!! One tip I found useful was to return the little toys and other gifts that I knew we would not use to places like ToysRus that issue store credit without receipts. I had my 2 fairly close together, saved up my store credit for almost two years and bought a bouncy castle with them (on sale). This will be the third year of use ... so much better than another stuffed bear, rattle, etc. My girlfriend did the same and traded hers in for a "next stage" carseat.

[wimbly11]

We had a doctor appointment this morning and got to hear the heartbeat. So surreal. I mean, it's one thing to say yes I'm pregnant, but there's always that feeling that it's not quite real because I'm not showing yet and we haven't seen the baby. Hearing that little heartbeat was amazing, I don't think either of us has stopped smiling

[Natalka]

Aw, that's sweet - it sure is special.

For me, it was the first movement which did it.
I was at work, teaching in the evening, and I felt this odd fluttering. Called my mom, and she said that's it, that's the baby moving! It was FAB. Then the whole process from there with some moving turning to serious kicking months later was crazy, yet fun!

[wimbly11]

How far along are you usually when you can first feel the baby?

[Natalka]

Usually about 16 weeks, but not unusual to not feel anything to 25 weeks.
For me the first feeling was a butterfly kind of fluttering for about a week, every once in a while.
Then after that, I could tell it was movement - like jabs, then it proceeded to kicks.
Yes, usually at bedtime, of course...

What my husband always found 'fun' was later in the pregnancy discovering what kind of touches to baby would get him moving - yeah, husband, fun, lol! They would have quite the 'conversations' going on - and, of course, keeping me from sleeping...

Our son was very active - he'd respond to my voice, talking or singing, then differently to various movements I made - but not all babies are the same! Ours was definitely a kicker~


Now one thing no one told me was at the last month of pregnancy, movement slows down - sometimes to nothing - and I was very worried. Turns out it's because baby is too big to be moving much, and would just give an occasional kick or punch.

[wimbly11]

Godo advice to know Natalka, I'm a worrier and now feeling anything would definately have me in panic mode

[Peachykeen2007]

Also don't forget to sign up for these ASAP after baby is born - a lot of people miss these or don't even know about them, here they give you all the forms when the baby is born in the hospital but have heard that is not always the case


http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/cctb/menu-eng.html

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/uccb-puge/menu-eng.html

[francine1985]

I know the loss of money is scary honestly for us the pay cut when I went on maternity leave was more difficult than when I quit my job. (I've been a stay at home mom since ds1 was born.) we have 2 kids now and dh is the only one working. we don't drink, smoke...rarely have dates (we spend most of our time as a family. there will be plenty of alone time when the kids grow up... but a lot of people disagree with that I just find that's what works for our family.), we don't drive so we either walk everywhere (invest in a good stroller if you decide to cut back on car expenses.) or take a bus during bad weather which is still cheaper than having a car.

step up on couponing. if you want to eat out a lot of restaurants mail coupons (most people throw them out without looking at them thinking their junk.) or have printable coupons. before ordering delivery google coupon codes for the restaurant. buy fresh meat based on sales, same with fruits/vegetables. go to local farmers markets if you have any but watch out some things are a great deal but some things are more expensive. cook fresh foods as much as possible.
sign up for all the baby freebies even if you plan to breast feed. I had to supplement my oldest for a month or two. but with all the freebies I never needed to buy any formula or bottles. (and he nursed until he was 2 1/2. there is a common myth where people think you will dry up and be unable to nurse if you have to supplement.)

and best advice (not money related) sleep when baby sleeps and nap as much as possible. let hubby do the cooking and cleaning. If he complains have him wake up every time you wake up to change and/or feed the baby and hes not allowed to go back to sleep until you are done and laying down to go back to sleep yourself. (this should give him a wake up call that puts an end to complaints within 48 hours... but hopefully he wont complain and will help out as much as you need.)

[wimbly11]

Also don't forget to sign up for these ASAP after baby is born - a lot of people miss these or don't even know about them, here they give you all the forms when the baby is born in the hospital but have heard that is not always the case


http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/cctb/menu-eng.html

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/uccb-puge/menu-eng.html

Great to know! I am book marking these now!

We've been talking to much about finances and To-Do-Lists and we are both feeling so overwhelmed. Honestly, I feel as though I can't keep a house clean and organized now. How am I going to manage with a baby? I think we're both having that panic moment. I guess I always thought I'd have it all together by now. I pride myself on being organized and envision myself in this organized, clean great little house. Well our house is a disaster! Between working full time, commitments outside of work and taking care of my step-daughter we hardly have time to get anything done. Feels like everything just keeps piling up....

[wimbly11]

I know the loss of money is scary honestly for us the pay cut when I went on maternity leave was more difficult than when I quit my job. (I've been a stay at home mom since ds1 was born.) we have 2 kids now and dh is the only one working. we don't drink, smoke...rarely have dates (we spend most of our time as a family. there will be plenty of alone time when the kids grow up... but a lot of people disagree with that I just find that's what works for our family.), we don't drive so we either walk everywhere (invest in a good stroller if you decide to cut back on car expenses.) or take a bus during bad weather which is still cheaper than having a car.

step up on couponing. if you want to eat out a lot of restaurants mail coupons (most people throw them out without looking at them thinking their junk.) or have printable coupons. before ordering delivery google coupon codes for the restaurant. buy fresh meat based on sales, same with fruits/vegetables. go to local farmers markets if you have any but watch out some things are a great deal but some things are more expensive. cook fresh foods as much as possible.
sign up for all the baby freebies even if you plan to breast feed. I had to supplement my oldest for a month or two. but with all the freebies I never needed to buy any formula or bottles. (and he nursed until he was 2 1/2. there is a common myth where people think you will dry up and be unable to nurse if you have to supplement.)

and best advice (not money related) sleep when baby sleeps and nap as much as possible. let hubby do the cooking and cleaning. If he complains have him wake up every time you wake up to change and/or feed the baby and hes not allowed to go back to sleep until you are done and laying down to go back to sleep yourself. (this should give him a wake up call that puts an end to complaints within 48 hours... but hopefully he wont complain and will help out as much as you need.)

I need to get back to couponing, I was doing it again and then we started our move and it's gotten shoved aside since then. I think I need to breathe...lol How does everyone do it all? Raise your children. Run a household and keep it somewhat clean. Work. Ek.

[Peachykeen2007]

Honestly you need to stop worrying, I know that is harder to say than do but I am a single mom of 2 with NO support and while I was on maternity leave I had to pay $1200 for rent plus about $500 all utilities, if I can do it so can anyone

The biggest thing is you need to set a budget, cut out all the little things you really don't need, i.e coffee at Tim Hortons or whatever it is that you may buy everyday that you don't even realize, it all adds up and start doing that asap

Shop smart and start stock piling now when there is a great sale on - you will need it later when money is tight

Best of luck and PS - once you have kids your house is NEVER going to be clean again and honestly you just live with it

[Mia]

Congratulations! All the best wishes!

[wimbly11]

Trying to develop a budget that we can realistically stick to and start putting some money awak. Ekk.

Need to get the house under control. I can't feel settled and calm about all of this until we have at least some order!

[Darth Penguin]

http://www.flylady.net/

It doesn't work for every-one but some of her ideas are good.

[wimbly11]

Thanks, I'll check it out..