***December Dreamers*** 70 babies born***

[WILSMUM]

when I had my 16 wk appointment on thurs she asked how I was, did a urine sample, took my blood pressure, weighed me, took blood for the triple test, listened to babies heart and booked my next 2 appointments in!

Well it was glorious and sunny here but has gone and clouded over now!!!

I've just got back from work and been catching up on the budget - glad to see nothing to horrendous! The HIP Grant is being axed but not till Jan so that won't affect us, Child Benefit is being frozen for 3 years but mine only went up £1.20 a month this year anyway so I'm not too concerned about that, just as long as I still get it its fine! Child Tax Credits are being reformed as well and I think it said if you have a joint income of over £40k then u won't be eligible but for lower income familes they may increase! So all in all the main thing to affect us is the increase in VAT from January! Could have been a hell of a lot worse!!

 

[till bob]

congrats butterfly on findin out ur havin a little girly really pleased for u sorry ur feelin poorly louise hope u feel better soon xx

 

[Mizze]

Yes thats my thinking also WilsMum- I know some hate any cuts and no cut feels good if it affects you but so far nothing awful although ( now Im not not smoking) I dont see why the tax shouldnt have gone up on ciggies! - how hypocritical of me ) And we really couldnt have kept spending as we were.

The VAT rate seems terrible but 1) its not on children's clothes or on most food and Fuel VAT is 5% (not affected by this rise to the standard rate) - so heating, eating and clothing the kids arent affected by it and 2) the difference it will make to a £100 spend is £2.13 -

Mizze xx

 

[WILSMUM]

yeah exactly Mizze! I thought tax on alcohol and ciggies would/should have gone up but hey ho! They'll probably be abother budget in April and they'll put them up then seeing as they do usually every budget!!!

I know the VAT thing sounds awful but like u said u have to put it into perspective and its pretty much the same as the reduction was - down to 15% sounded great but really how much did it mean we were saving - pence half the time or a couple of quid! So the rise to 20% won't make that much difference to the individual (I mean whats another couple of quid when u can afford to pay £100 on something in the first place!) but all those extra pounds here and there will all add up and make a big difference to the economy!

I think they should have done something more with Child Benefit as it doesn't seem fair its not means tested like tax credits etc and everyone gets it - if yr earning over 50 grans a year losing the £80 every 4 wks for child benefit isn't really gonna affect u now is it, but again not having to pay out to all those high earning families will help the economy no end. As far as I am aware child benefit has been around fro donkeys years without having any major rejigs etc, mayb its about time!

 

[Mizze]

The problem with means testing benefits is that it makes it complicated to administer - which in turn makes it cost more. Thousands of people dont claim tax credits because of how complicated it is. The only way I think to means test CB efficiently would be to wrap it up in the tax credit system - which again has lots of issues in itself.

Means testing is sensible - I dont need the HIP grant for example - but administering it can be a nightmare

Mizze

 

[cho]

so i hear sure start maternity grant is still ongoing to, dont think we get that, dont get it though but think u only get it if its your first child is that right ?

 

[Mizze]

I think so - there is a discussion on it on the budget and HIP thread - from what I have read it now becomes for 1st child only

Mizze x

 

[cho]

well its my hubbys first child lol so what now???

 

[Nessicle]

That's good to hear about the budget no major issues for me - once i go part time when I come back to work me and OH will earn under £40k so will still be eligible for something even if it's only £5 a week its still better than nothing hey?!

I'm gonna use my HIP grant to get all the essentials like breast pads, maternity pads and knickers and a baby bath etc mainly the smaller stuff so we can go to mothercare/boots and just buy it in one go once the money comes through!

Bigger stuff is being given to us second hand so that will save us loads!

x

 

[Mincholada]

got my gender scan confirmed! it'll be on july 3rd at 2 PM! woooohoooo! sooo happy!

 

[Esje]

lol welcome to 2nd trim were all cookoo

I'll fit right in then

 

[mrsbling]

Haven't been on for a while ladies, so thought I would pop by and say to all you lovelies

Hope you are all keeping well, and not suffering too much with these tempermental temperatures

Congrats on the gender Scan Kerriann - I am sooo tempted to go for a scan, but my 20 week scan is in 3 weeks so will try and hold out until then... and if they cant get a clear view then, I will book a private 4D scan and get confirmation then

I am suffering soooo much with heartburn at the moment .....its morning noon and night!!!! Anyone got any good tips as I hate the gaviscon stuff!!!

The budget hasn't really affected us, as we are only entitled to the HIP grant anyway and the VAT isnt going to make that much difference on the everyday stuff for us either. It definitely could have been much worse

 

[nikki-lou25]

Mrsbling, I found milk eased it but only for a short time I googled natural remedies...some are bizarre like drink vinegar

 

[KellyC75]

Hello Girls....Hope you have all had a nice day

Well, my babies 'birth' date is to be 6th December....

 

[WILSMUM]

I'm quite enjoying the weather - its the first time in 17 wks I've actually been warm!! Lol!! but even now I'm still getting cold bouts with goose pimples!! Like now I'm sat here with a long sleeve hoodie on! DH thinks I'm mad!!!

I've had a horrible headache all day today - its eased a bit on occassions but been there constantly and is really bad now! but DS is in bed and DH is out at a meeting so at least I've got a bit of peace and quiet for an hour or so!!!!

I'm still wondering when my apetites gonna come back - haven't wanted to eat at all today and not really eaten that much - had porridge for brekkie which I really didn't want and was not keen on the milky dairy smell either but was nice once I forced myself to start eating it!! Lol! Then had a small pack of mini cheddars for my pre work snack! Had a small slice of bacon and egg pie for lunch and for dinner have just had a warm steak salad with baby pots and a pieve of strawberry and apple pie with cream! I've never been a one for wanting to eat when its hot anyway but being preg as well has sent my apetite on holiday I think!!!

 

[mrsbling]

Mrsbling, I found milk eased it but only for a short time I googled natural remedies...some are bizarre like drink vinegar

Thanks for that - I will try the milk I think.....might avoid the vinegar though - seems a bit weird if its not on fish and chips lol x

 

[KellyC75]

I have a scrummy tub of belgian chocolate hagan daaz in the freezer.....Will be enjoying that tonite

 

[KellyC75]

Mrsbling, I found milk eased it but only for a short time I googled natural remedies...some are bizarre like drink vinegar

Thanks for that - I will try the milk I think.....might avoid the vinegar though - seems a bit weird if its not on fish and chips lol x

Yes, millk always helped me too & dont lay flat....Sleep with lots of pillows.... Hope it eases for you

 

[nikki-lou25]

I nearly fainted in town so i treated myself to some vanilla fudge and treacle toffee from Thorntons!

I'll be on a downer tommorow coz I'm uber fat...but tonight I will enjoy it!

 

[sammiwry]

I've found today not matter how much weak squash I drink I am still thirsty, must of had about 4 litres by now!