Re: vexed's ERE journey from the very beginning!
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2018 5:21 am
@cmonkey, Yes sorry, it's been crazy at home, but finally we are coming up for air! DD is doing great, just over 6 months old now. We are very lucky compared to some other parents I know. We got a good sleeper! There are some exceptions but most nights DD sleeps 12-13 hours uninterrupted. She seems to be hitting her milestones consistently, preterm babies are often behind in hitting milestones, so that's reassuring.
DW hasn't taken her to a weigh in clinic for a month so no idea where she is up to on the weight charts presently, but last month she had reached the 25th percentile for her age, after understandably being much nearer the 5th percentile at birth (a source anxiety for both of us). She's already catching up in weight to the average baby, but she still has some way to go in that respect and will be on the smaller side for some time to come, nevertheless it's great progress and arriving early hasn't yet caused any notable health concerns. Some of the other baby's from the same unit in hospital are not doing so well in health and weight gains, so it just puts in perspective how fortunate we are.
Adjusting to the responsibility of parenthood is tough at times, definitely way more demanding than a puppy, but I think both being in our 30s we got our shit together and are mature enough not to be missing out on drinking in bars, dining out etc etc, adding a baby to daily life for us isn't that much of a burden. DW has taken to the role of mother extremely well. It also pays that she's the organised type! We are really enjoying having DD around, we are already at the stage where we couldn't imagine life without her at this point. DW has it much harder than me though, I'm at work full time whilst she is the full time carer for the first year, but once DW returns to work, I'm dropping down to part time until DD goes to school, at least that's the plan for now. That way I can spend more time with her. It hard going to work in the morning knowing I'll only see DD for 30-60 minutes in the evening before bath/bedtime, so I'm living for the weekends for the time being.
Dropping to part time will delay FI somewhat, but hey ho. I'll think of it as semi-retirement! DW has seen a notable decrease in her spending on account of being housebound a lot, having resources in the kitchen and having less expenses related to eating out, entertainment, clothing, travelling to/from work, but she is now actively trying to get out more, tough to do so in wintery weather with a tiny baby, but it's getting easier now DD can sit happily in a sling and snowsuit! DD loves the outdoors, we go walking a lot when the weather is agreeable!
DW and I have been batch cooking all DDs food. DWs frugal side is shining much more lately too. I've been really impressed with the measures she taken to reduce spending as her own income has dropped to basically 0, its been a bit of an eyeopener for her, and has made the case for reducing spending to retire earlier much easier for her to grok, now the link between what is affordable whilst earning and spending is broken.
How far on is Mrs cmonkey now? Have you shared the due date on your journal? Sorry I haven't stopped by in a while, what with the baby and all
DW hasn't taken her to a weigh in clinic for a month so no idea where she is up to on the weight charts presently, but last month she had reached the 25th percentile for her age, after understandably being much nearer the 5th percentile at birth (a source anxiety for both of us). She's already catching up in weight to the average baby, but she still has some way to go in that respect and will be on the smaller side for some time to come, nevertheless it's great progress and arriving early hasn't yet caused any notable health concerns. Some of the other baby's from the same unit in hospital are not doing so well in health and weight gains, so it just puts in perspective how fortunate we are.
Adjusting to the responsibility of parenthood is tough at times, definitely way more demanding than a puppy, but I think both being in our 30s we got our shit together and are mature enough not to be missing out on drinking in bars, dining out etc etc, adding a baby to daily life for us isn't that much of a burden. DW has taken to the role of mother extremely well. It also pays that she's the organised type! We are really enjoying having DD around, we are already at the stage where we couldn't imagine life without her at this point. DW has it much harder than me though, I'm at work full time whilst she is the full time carer for the first year, but once DW returns to work, I'm dropping down to part time until DD goes to school, at least that's the plan for now. That way I can spend more time with her. It hard going to work in the morning knowing I'll only see DD for 30-60 minutes in the evening before bath/bedtime, so I'm living for the weekends for the time being.
Dropping to part time will delay FI somewhat, but hey ho. I'll think of it as semi-retirement! DW has seen a notable decrease in her spending on account of being housebound a lot, having resources in the kitchen and having less expenses related to eating out, entertainment, clothing, travelling to/from work, but she is now actively trying to get out more, tough to do so in wintery weather with a tiny baby, but it's getting easier now DD can sit happily in a sling and snowsuit! DD loves the outdoors, we go walking a lot when the weather is agreeable!
DW and I have been batch cooking all DDs food. DWs frugal side is shining much more lately too. I've been really impressed with the measures she taken to reduce spending as her own income has dropped to basically 0, its been a bit of an eyeopener for her, and has made the case for reducing spending to retire earlier much easier for her to grok, now the link between what is affordable whilst earning and spending is broken.
How far on is Mrs cmonkey now? Have you shared the due date on your journal? Sorry I haven't stopped by in a while, what with the baby and all