*** November 2014 Mummies! ***

[Kaa286]

Just looked only prob is it doesn't have the carry cot bit to it as well which I need as I don't drive so will be using pram a lot for baby for longer periods of time and car seat won't be ok for that :-/ thanks though, defo think hauck colt best price for what I want really I mean I'd love something else and fancy but just not sure can justify the amount some want, my friend paid a grand for her travel system coz it was I candy and I just don't see the point, she said the icandy writing on it has worn off and peeled in the rain too so now it just looks a standard pram haha xx

 

[nicejuicypear]

I know what you mean about the carrycot. Ones like that can lie flat to be used from birth by being flattened out but I would prefer an actual carrycot I think.

I had a meltdown about money and prams earlier and cried a lot. DW doesn't want to go secondhand so then I was worried about having to get ones I don't like and she reassured me that we will manage.

I really like Mothercare Orb - I like the style and the swivel function but it's got some really crap reviews, to do with how the baby sits in it. I have got hung up on reviews, I take all the bad ones to heart and worry that we'll buy something and a wheel will fall off and it will have been a false economy buying too cheap.

So now I have started a spreadsheet of prams (haven't told DW this bit yet), it is colourcoded and everything. And on Tuesday we are going pram testing. I might just take a copy of my spreadsheet on my phone, not sure if I'm up to her ridicule of my nerdiness if she sees it printed out!

DW is pretty cool though, she managed to tell me that I was probably hormonal because the baby has obviously had a growth spurt this week, and managed to do it in a way that didn't sound like 'you are irrational and even fatter than ever', lol!

ETA: I couldn't bring myself to buy icandy even if I had the money, I think a lot of it is paying for the name. They make it seem 'exclusive' by not selling in other shops and it gives off a snobby element to me. If I had a free budget I'd be looking at Bugaboo or similar - a bit pricier and good quality but not overpriced.

 

[Kaa286]

Yeh I would rather have the actual carry cot too!

I've just had a look at the mothercare xperior (I think that's what it's called) that doesn't look too bad and only 250 and in a range of different colours, so think will try that out tomorrow too, just hope somewhere has the hauck in as I don't want to buy before testing.

Just went on asda and it's sold out! massively gutted but then I went on telco and it's been reduced to 206 whoop think that's defo the one for us now haha! Hauck colt all the way

Aw yay spreadsheet Sally strikes again haha!
I've been an emotional wreck this week and last too come to think of it, hubby out for the night with his mates so I'm just in and out of sleep on the couch, oh well, feel a bit groggy now but done my pram shopping and needed a rest

 

[nicejuicypear]

That's good on the Hauck, I like the Lacrosse and that's reduced on Tesco and I like the idea of all the clubcard points. It's probably the highest on my list right now, though it's not the cheapest. Finding a Hauck in store seems to be an issue.

I'm going to try to get to a Kiddicare on Tues, they seem to have a wide variety to try out and I read in Tri3 that the shops are selling off all of their stock as they're closing down.

 

[Kaa286]

The other haucks didnt appear to have the same option of both rear and front facing though unless ive not read it carefully?!

Yeh i just saw that too. Where is kiddicare though?? Xx

 

[Kaa286]

Looks like aintree is closest i think!

 

[mellie_88]

Ours hasn't got a carry cot, we could buy one for extra. However because of the time of year I didn't really see the point. The main pushchair lies flat so its still suitable. If I happen to see a cheap second hand one or good offer then I might buy a carry cot.

We found ours in kiddicare, it was the only shop that actually had it on display so we could play with it!

 

[katiee24]

I didn't have a carrycot part with Myah's pram I just kept her mostly in car seat as it was only trips to the supermarket we did as it was so cold and then lay it down flat if we used it for a long time - But this time we've gone for the carrycot and it looks so comfy and snug! Don't have a kiddicare shop close to me xx

 

[nicejuicypear]

There aren't many Kiddicares. Aintree is my closest though still quite a drive. The photos make it look well more stocked than the local Mothercares.

I am favouring a carrycot as I intend to walk lots with the pram. Firstly for exercise but secondly to cut down on the stupid little car trips which waste a load of petrol. It will get us both out and about, if I walk to Asda instead of driving the 0.6 miles or whatever. I got lazy about doing that recently.

Kaa, the Colt and the Lacrosse seem to be the only two Haucks that reverse the seat. Shame, because some of the others look nice too.

I found a Jane Muum set that has a car seat/carrycot that can be laid flat in the car, which would be great for long journeys. However, adding all the bits up, it comes in very pricey and I'm wondering how many times I will actually make long journeys before she's able to sit up for long periods. How old can they be when you stop lying them flat all the time? Is it 6 months, as that's when they can go into pushchair seats?

 

[mellie_88]

Our nearest kiddicare is still quite a drive, its the opposite side of Birmingham. But because we'd heard such goods things we had to go, we're going again in a couple of weeks when we're off so OH can try on baby carriers.

Thats the problem with a lot of pushchairs, once you add all the bits amd pieces up its a lot more than what you originally expected. My friend spent a small fortune on her pushchair, she had all sorts of fancy suspension. As soon as baby turned 6 months they bought a stroller amd now take him everywhere in that. Seems like such a waste of money!

I believe its advised to be about 5-6 months once baby can support head well and stuff.

 

[Kaa286]

I'm exactly the same as u njp in terms of the walking and using pram lots want the exercise but also don't drive so I can walk to my nana or mums etc just wrap us both up warm and head out

If lacrosse is 3 wheeler hubby won't let me get one like that he hates them for some reason not that he would be bloody using the thing haha!

Yeh kiddicare a right trek but if all stuff on sale then could be worth the trip xx

 

[nicejuicypear]

My DW said she liked the three wheelers but I've kind of ignored that because I'm not limiting my already limited choice by that. She said they steer easier but the 4 wheelers steer pretty well to me.

She also said no to a secondhand pram but said she wouldn't mind a secondhand car seat. I got a big rolleyes face as I told her how car seats are the only thing you should really definitely buy new.

Mellie, is Kiddicare worth the trip, then? The one at Aintree looks about 4 times the size of the Mothercare there, with loads of stuff so I'm hoping to have a good play around.

Kaa, if you don't get there before Tuesday when I go, I'll tell you how much is actually on sale.

 

[Kaa286]

Oh yeh id definitely get new car seat! I didnt really care if got 3 or 4 wheeler but now i think i agree with hubby as they almost look larger as the front wheel tends to stick out loads and they are often a lot wider looking and we need a slimmer fitting pram to get in and out our front door asit doesnt swing wide open or anything theres a bit of a weird wall behind it so it doesnt open fully. :-/

Ooh yeh that would be great huni!!! Thank you. And vice versa if i go before then. xx

 

[mellie_88]

You should definitely make the trek over there, have a good play about with everything. The nice thing was we didn't get pestered by shop assistants either, thats my pet hate in some shops when all I want to do is nose around in peace!

I didn't like the 3 wheelers, I thought they were larger too, I kind of instantly dismissed them without much consideration.

 

[nicejuicypear]

Our front door is weird too, it's in front of a wall pillar. The stupid thing is, next to the door is a porch window, all put in as part of an extension. Why he didn't put the door where the window is and the window where the door is, I don't know. We constantly chip paint off that pillar going in and out.

Mellie, that's good about Kiddicare not hassling you. DW hates sales assistants doing that, it usually makes her walk out.

I'm enjoying the cooler weather. It's just nicely wam and sunny enough to go out now, before I was boiling and hiding inside all the time.

 

[mellie_88]

I like sales assistants to be nearby if I need them, but not constantly watching me. Think they asked if we were ok once and then went about doing other things. In mothercare I felt like I couldn't touch a pushchair without being pounced on!!

So far I've had a lovely morning. Dropped my car off for its mot, then went on a 2 hour walk round sutton park by us with the dog. He loved it, and because it was still early it wasn't too hot for any of us. Garage just rang and my lovely car is fine, which is probably also why im currently in such a good mood! Haha

NJP its our v day tomorrow!! I was proper stressing yday, honestly had this fear I was about to go into labour and because I was two days shy of 24 weeks the doctors wouldn't care!

 

[nicejuicypear]

So it is! I keep losing track of the weeks now. I did think last week how awful it would be to go into labour then, so close to v day. Obviously it would still be worrying and stressful now but at least they'd have a fighting chance.

Good news about the car! My tax is due in three days. So much of my 'baby and car' account has gone on the car this year, not very much left for baby

 

[mellie_88]

Every week now is an added milestone thats what I keep thinking. I really think baby is going to be terribly overdue but can't help but worry.

I have everything for my car due in one month, mot ia now out the way, fortunately my tax is only £20 for the year. Not yet looked at insurance properly but thats the big expense

 

[Jasmine84]

Hey everyone

Just quickly doing a check in to see how you are all doing

We're doing OK. Daughter had a play day today with the children near us, which was lovely but a little hot. It did take my mind off the fact that today would have been my "V day" at 24 weeks.

Planted a lovely Ash tree in the garden over the weekend in memory of Taylor.

 

[katiee24]

What a lovely thing to do Jasmine! Hope you are keeping well xxxx