"Families can expect to spend between $12,350 and nearly $14,000 a year, on average, to raise a child." That's pretty close to what my daycare will cost alone.
1- I'm super excited that my BP was down to 115/56 this morning.
2- even more important....any one else have a slight panic attack over the birth announcements pin? I know that we have twins already (and I pray they are still doing well) but I can't believe we are already at this point.
i'm thankful that we're having DS's bday @ Chuck E Cheese this year. The past 2 years, we've had it at our house and had to worry about cleaning, catering, etc. This time it'll be so easy!
@Taylor72 To some degree, yes. The early birth of those twins has made me hyper aware that the next twelve weeks of prep time are not promised. I need to speed up my timeline and am now really thinking about things like packing our hospital bag and early registration at the hospital.
Since DH and my work weeks are so hectic, I don't anticipate on getting anything done M-F. Therefore, I completely freaked out when I told DH that there are really only about 24 "free" days we have to get ready for baby #2. ehrmahgerd.
Since DH and my work weeks are so hectic, I don't anticipate on getting anything done M-F. Therefore, I completely freaked out when I told DH that there are really only about 24 "free" days we have to get ready for baby #2. ehrmahgerd.
I am totally freaking out now, due date buddy!! So much to do...
@Taylor72 Im so glad your BP was good today and will keep fingers crossed it stays that way!
@KirstinH88 I certainly would be terrified to know what I actually spent a year.. no YNAB app here haha.. I quit my job with DD bc childcare costs made it not worth it until she went to preschool and I got a more flexible job. This time I'm debating going back to work part time as a server bc my hours are so flexible.
@HappyAngel I am definitely NOT going to create a new category for baby expenses, because I just really don't want to know (out of sight, out of mind, right?!?!), but I will budget in more money into our generic food and "extras" category. If Samuel gets picked up at the cheaper daycare, it will only be $11,000/year. The expensive daycare is $13,000/year.
@thecavfamily yes, that is exactly how I feel! Especially with the weird BP over the weekend, it made me realize I need to get some crap done and the sooner the better.
@catem07 I do. I think I received that email in the last week or two. They know how far along i am, so yeah...just a bit off. That site, especially the boards, is crap.
@cafedisco $25k! Holy smokes! I never intended to have my kids so spread out, but hearing that, I'm happy I did. Max will be going to an all day Kindergarten in the fall, just in time for Samuel to go to daycare.
Just found out my insurance won't cover a pump. I'm freaking out. I was kinda planing on not having to spend money on one. With this being our last kid it doesn't make sense to buy one but renting is just as expensive.
@Virginialeigh It was my understanding that, with the ACA, insurances have to cover the cost of a pump or the rental. They don't have to cover electric pumps, but I thought they at least had to cover a manual. (I don't know if that applies to Medicaid, though.) Did you talk to your insurance company directly? With DS, the first person I talked to incorrectly told me that I was not covered, so I called back later and the second person that I talked to was much more helpful and actually checked to see what pumps I was covered for. Maybe you just got a bad egg?
If they truly don't cover one, that really sucks. How much pumping do you think you'll need to do? Would it be manageable with a manual? And I agree, renting one gets so expensive; unless you need the hospital grade you're better off buying your own.
@SnarkasaurusRex I thought the same thing about the ACA but the lady I talked to at the insurance company said that because my plan was grandfathered it doesn't cover pumps. I think I will try calling again and talking to someone else though.
@Virginialeigh I am the benefits specialist for my company, and our plan is grandfathered out of several new ACA requirements. It sucks. Our women's health coverage is not what it should be, but it is the cheapest plan we can get. If we try to get a new, more up-to-date plan, our employees would freak out over the premium rates. It's a tough situation, I really feel for you. I know it's not ideal, but do you maybe have a friend of family member you can purchase one from? I got my pump (Medela pump-in-style advanced) from a cousin who didn't need it anymore for $40. I bought all new parts -which was only $12 on Amazon.
@virginialeigh - I'm in the same boat as you with being in a grandfathered insurance plan. I went through the whole debacle with DS, and since my plan hasn't changed, I didn't waste my time this time around. My friend gave me her pump, and I know lots of people that will pass theirs around when they aren't using it. I buy new parts (tubing, membranes, etc) but as long as the pump is a closed-system, you should be able to get away with a second-hand pump.
Also, even though your insurance may not cover the entire cost of a new pump, you may still be able to purchase one at a discount. That's what we did the first time around. (And if you're wondering what happened to my first pump, I lent it to my SIL and haven't seen it since. )
@rachelmiller03 and @magheeta last time around I used a pump I got from my SIL. I passed it on to the other SIL and have no idea what happened to it after that. It was on its last legs by the time I was done with it anyway and doubt it would be of any use even if I did get it back. I'm going to have DH look into his insurance and see if it would be worth it for me to switch to his after the baby comes. He works for the University of Kentucky and as long as I go to UK hospital a lot of things are free. Problem is I hate UK hospital. But free is free.
@Magheeta, shoot, I had never thought about it that way! We too work M-F and aren't able to get much done in the evenings so it's usually strictly weekends that are used for prep. Now I am feeling a sense of urgency when I think of it from that perspective!!
Dang, I didn't know they were allowed to grandfather plans in. That sucks. I didn't like my Ameda but I'll gladly send it to someone who needs it once my new pump comes through! (We switched insurances, so I am able to get a new one with this pregnancy.)
Our cleaning lady came today, DH keeps asking if we are getting rid of her since the baby is coming and as first timers we don't know how much things will cost/change.
@catem07 that would be awesome! I did tell her that I want her to pencil me in for early April because I want her to come clean while we are in the hospital. I think coming home to a freshly cleaned house would be wonderful
Y'all....I went to lurk on March's BMB. And I saw an explosion of AW Birth Announcements and thought (excuse the bad word) "holy shit. I'm not ready!" Then I realized I was looking at March 2016... Lord, help my pregnancy brain.
Last night I slept without a shirt and it was the best night's sleep I've had in a few weeks. I used to sleep on my stomach, and since I switched to side sleeping I've been waking up repeatedly in the middle of the night because my shirt would get caught under me as I turned from side to side.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Couldn't find the thread where people were talking about kick counts (really, I didn't look too hard ) but I thought some of you ladies might find this helpful. This was in the latest "newsletter" that I received at my appt on Monday.
I'm in the doctor's waiting room looking st a pregnancy mag. There's an advertisement for a nursing bra, so I went to their website. Here's a tip, Charley M, if you're going to have pictures of models wearing nursing bras it might be nice to have models who look like they might have actually had a baby recently, not 20 year olds with stomachs as flat as a board...
ETA: I'm sure there are some women who look like that not too long after giving birth, but I'm also sure it's not the majority.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
@catem07 when pregnant with DD, I got myself a really soft jersey knit nightgown. Never owned one before (well, since I had a Care Bears one when little) but I was having the same problem. It was so super comfy! I've already busted it out this time too!
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
KirstinH88
member
Re: Randoms 1/9
That's pretty close to what my daycare will cost alone.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
1- I'm super excited that my BP was down to 115/56 this morning.
2- even more important....any one else have a slight panic attack over the birth announcements pin? I know that we have twins already (and I pray they are still doing well) but I can't believe we are already at this point.
ETA - words are hard.
I am totally freaking out now, due date buddy!!
@KirstinH88 I certainly would be terrified to know what I actually spent a year.. no YNAB app here haha.. I quit my job with DD bc childcare costs made it not worth it until she went to preschool and I got a more flexible job. This time I'm debating going back to work part time as a server bc my hours are so flexible.
Baby Boy due 04/07/17
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Well, yes, yes, I do. Because both kids combined will cost $25,000 in a year. Holy....
I mean, I just don't even know what to say.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
@Virginialeigh thats crap they won't cover one for you. not even partially?
DS--N14
Baby #2 EDD--4/16/17
If they truly don't cover one, that really sucks. How much pumping do you think you'll need to do? Would it be manageable with a manual? And I agree, renting one gets so expensive; unless you need the hospital grade you're better off buying your own.
Also, even though your insurance may not cover the entire cost of a new pump, you may still be able to purchase one at a discount. That's what we did the first time around. (And if you're wondering what happened to my first pump, I lent it to my SIL and haven't seen it since.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
ETA: I'm sure there are some women who look like that not too long after giving birth, but I'm also sure it's not the majority.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17