We’ve had such a lovely week this week here at Frugal Cottage HQ, I thought I would do another Life Update. I don’t regularly do more personal posts, as I’m not entirely sure that’s what people want to come and read?
Firstly, Frugal Baby turned 2 this week! We had a little party at the weekend with mainly family, which was lovely. He definitely knew how to open his presents this year! We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive network. Frugal Baby got lots of lovely presents, including lots of things with wheels! He loves pushing things around, so he was very pleased. I made him a birthday cake which seemed to go down well with everyone apart from Frugal Baby! Typical 😉
On his actual birthday, we spent the day as a family. We went to an arborium near us which had lots of open space for him to run around in. There were lots of different animals there too which he could look at. He was fascinated by some of the different species of birds! Plus a big playground too. He had sausages and beans for lunch so definitely one happy little boy 🙂 I still can’t believe he’s 2. Where does the time go?!
Speaking of time going, I’m already at the half way stage in this pregnancy. In fact, on Wednesday we had the anomaly scan and we also found out what we’re having – another boy! I’m so excited for Frugal Baby to have a little brother. I cannot wait for the time when he can teach him all about trains and tractors. In fact, that makes me feel quite emotional!
We’ve been looking at some things now that time is ticking along. I still can’t decide whether or not to get a double pushchair? Frugal Baby will be 2.5 years when the new one arrives. We went to try some out and I really liked this one as it was still light and manoeuvrable, but look how much it is?! They’re just so expensive.
We’ve also been looking at different options for sleeping. Now, Frugal Baby was a horrendous sleeper when he was a newborn, due to lots of reasons, and to be honest, he still isn’t at times! So, we’ve been looking at things that might make a difference? I also know that I might be clutching at straws, but anything that helps us get better sleep with a toddler and a newborn is worth the money.
So, we are going to get one of these. Mr FC’s parents have very kindly said that they would get us one. Every review I read about them raves about the fact that their baby sleeps very well in it. I know they’re expensive, but hopefully it’ll be worth it. We looked at them when we had Frugal Baby but couldn’t justify the cost. In hindsight, I wish we’d got one the first time!
Secondly, we’ve been looking at an alternative to the Moses basket we had with Frugal Baby. He didn’t like going in it at all when he was a newborn; he much preferred going to sleep on either one of us. It wasn’t ideal, especially at night when we tried to transfer him into it. I’ve been looking at co-sleepers, where the baby would be much closer to us but still in his own space? I really like the look of this one, plus it’ll fit at the side of our bed easily. But again, look at the cost! Why are baby things so expensive?!
I’m thinking of potentially trying to give myself a challenge to help with the money side. Maybe trying to sell enough things on ebay/Facebook to earn enough money to buy some of the things? That might be a big motivation and would help with the finances. In fact, it might just be the push I need!
What about you? What have you been focusing on lately?Â
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Moira Sutherland says
That is a lot of money for a push chair. I have two girls 16 month’s apart and I bought a second hand double buggy, it was light weight and easy to handle. Both my daughters manage with a single buggy but when the toddler us tired they strap the baby to them in either a shawl or a carrier
Francesca - From Pennies to Pounds says
Anything that helps you with sleep will be worth it! With the moses basket, we put rolled up towels either side as they like to feel cocooned in there – they don’t like all of the open space! And we put a hot water bottle in before we put her down so it was warm. May help? 🙂
I’ve been focusing on adjusting my budget and I have a tonnnn of personal stuff to pay for which is stressing me out a bit!
Katy Stevens says
Remember that when your little boy is here, and you’re not sleeping well, you’ll just regret not buying the things you wanted that could have helped. Get the Snuzpod. The expense of safe sleeping is naturally well worth it and you CAN afford it. It isn’t a splurge buying the best you can for your baby, not if you get some more sleep, and retain some more brain cells and sanity! I remember when Daisy was born after two days I was like BUY ALL THE ITEMS on Amazon at 3am!
Fiona Adams says
Please don’t buy a secondhand buggy – I used to sell prams at a department store and we had people bringing in prams and buggies they had bought secondhand for refurbishment and we had to tell them they were too dangerous to refurbish. Unless you know the provenance of the pushchair it isn’t worth it. My children are two years and five months apart and we never bothered with a double buggy. As soon as baby no 2 was born baby no 1 had to walk. As a result I have two very strong walkers – at ten and thirteen they happily walk anywhere no matter how far.
Lucie Aiston says
Congrats on the 2nd boy! How lovely!! I have a 14 year old girl, an 11 year old boy and now a 15 week old boy!! I’ve been focusing on trying to parent a baby again after so long. It’s been fun and eventful so far. He is such a joy but reflux and colic aren’t so much Lol!! X
Clare says
That is an expensive pushchair! I’ve had a few double buggies in my time when I was childminding and never seemed to get the “right” one, they were all a pain! The oyster does look good, just so expensive! Could you maybe look secondhand?
Stefanie says
I wouldn`t buy an extra pushchair. My son was quite happy with a Buggy board at that age.
And then walking from time to time …
Would save you some money.
Not suitable for long distance trips though.
Amelia Champion says
I think personal posts are important on a blog, I think people can connect and build their loyalty through them. The blog sites that I go back and visit, even years after I last checked them out are usually because I felt connected to the person through their personal posts.
Laura says
We ended up getting a Joovy pushchair when our second child arrived – got so many compliments on it! Not quite a double pram nor just a buggy board it was honestly fantastic and I sold it on to a local mum.
Love the updates!