Friday 27 September 2013

Managing on Maternity Pay

Happy Friday everyone!  Today I've been thinking about my time off on maternity and the impact of taking a large cut to my salary aka maternity pay.  If you had asked me how you thought I would cope several months ago I would have probably dropped to my knees and cried for help however, now I have lived through it I must say that it hasn't been that difficult.

Ok just to put things into perspective, we had a joint household income that fell into the £40k - £50k bracket. We own our home, we receive no benefits and we have no existing children.  A pretty average situation for first time parents. Although I class myself as having a fairly good job in the private sector, my company only offered statutory maternity pay.  It was the level of pay I was going to receive that was the big worry as it was a significant reduction in my earnings.  Anyway here I am seven months on still alive, well fed, nothing cut off and my house hasn't been repossessed!  So how have I managed?

Well firstly we were lucky enough to plan our pregnancy around better financial times for us both (although I will say there is never a perfect time and we all know little 'surprises' happen). We sat down together in early pregnancy and decided where we could make savings.  One of the first things to go was Sky TV.  We were paying almost £80 a month for hundreds of channels we just didn't watch.  We also looked into reducing tariffs on phone contracts and energy bills.  We switched our main supermarket shop to Aldi and tried to reduce luxuries such as takeaways.

Once Joe arrived it was apparent that we didn't need a great deal of money in the first few weeks anyway.  It was cold and horrible outside so we spent most of the days indoors having lovely squishy baby cuddles.  I had also stocked up on plenty of nappies and wipes so I didn't have to buy any for a good few weeks.  We also received a lot of gifts of clothing and products (so of which I'm still using now) so it has come in very handy.

However, I will say that spending money is a mindset.  I find I can be very lavish with spending at times but then I can also be very good with my spending.  When it came to maternity I just accepted that a lack of money was going to be temporary (well maybe not THAT temporary, I do have a child now.....) and things have been fine.  I can live without those regular treats and luxuries and when I do get a treat i appreciate it more.

I'm actually looking forward to seeing how I manage my money when my salary increases again after going back to work.  Maybe I will find myself with some good savings and a nice holiday?

Thanks for reading.

PB & J xx

Sunday 22 September 2013

Easy Like Sunday Morning?

Good morning everyone and how are we all?  Well the dreaded lurgy has finally left us after what has been a rough week for the whole PB & J family.  It's not only been rough from a health point of view but from an emotional one too. 

Almost 8 years ago my dad passed away after a heart attack and it was his birthday on Thursday (he would have been 68).  We took Joe and some flowers to his grave and said happy birthday but times like these make me very sad; not only for the fact that he's not here anymore but also that Joe will never get to meet his Granddad who he looks so much like.  I guess we will have to keep his memory alive by re-telling some stories and believe me there are a few. My dad was certainly a character!

Anyway before I make this into a morbid post I just wanted to give a big apology for my blogging absence this week. I'm hoping now everyone is better I can get back to my daily posts.

I'm very much looking forward to the next few weeks as we are beginning renovations on our front room.  I live in a very old Victorian house and the front room has been in need of a bit of TLC so we made the brave decision to knock seven bells out of it and get it 'right'.  Its costing a little bit of money but the end result will be fantastic.  Ill be sure to keep you all updated with a photo diary and all being well I have an exciting upcycle project to run alongside.

So on that wonderful piece of news I must dash and start packing away the contents of my front room ready for 'operation chimney breast'. I guess today isn't so 'easy like Sunday morning' but I'm quite looking forward to it.

I also have a fantastic review of the Hauck Up 'n Down Highchair to follow to be sure to have a read.

Lots of Love

PB & J

xx

Monday 16 September 2013

National Cupcake Week

Yes you read that correctly.  ITS NATIONAL CUPCAKE WEEK!!!!!!  If there ever was a god given right to stuff yourself with cake then now is the time and excuse to do it.  Check out what's happening on the Website.

As an avid baker myself I am known to throw a few cupcakes together now and again and I would love to share them with you (virtually of course).  I bake for fun, for friends, for parties etc.  You name it and I find a cake, cupcake or cake pop to celebrate with.  There's nothing more satisfying than baking a batch of scrummy cakes and watching everyone tuck in and tell you how nice they are.


A delicious chocolate feast!
One of my latest crazes is giant cupcakes.  I treated myself to a silicone mould and thought id give it a go.  Well apart from one disaster (too much mix and too low oven temp) I have produced some pretty lovely cakes if I do say so myself.  The latest yummy creation was a chocolate feast for the mother in laws birthday.  I even hid a caramel core so it oozed out when it was cut open. All together now MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm.
Ok enough of the cake talk and onto other recent matters.

We are all still feeling very under the weather with the whole PB & J family suffering at the hands of the common cold.  Couple that with a teething baby and you have a recipe for a sleepless night *yawn*.  However, amidst the illness we have had an exciting event with the arrival of my baby niece.  I have two brothers and a sister and up until Thursday we all had children apart from one of my brothers, so it was a very special day for him (and us of course).

Yummy sandwich!
In other news, despite being ill, Joe ate more than he ever has today whilst BLW (baby-led weaning).  He was given a cheese sandwich and today he must have eaten about half and smushed the other half into everything else as usual.  I'm not a 100% BLW mum as I do worry about the actual level of food he is getting so we do a mix of puree's and BLW.  Its working for us and Joe is happily reducing his milk levels on his own.  I do promise to write a weaning post soon as I find it fascinating and I think there's a lot of taboo and unknowns around the subject.  If I manage to help one mum from my post then I will feel my job has been done.



Right you lovely lot I have a poorly baby to get back to so keep warm and eat cake!!

PB & J

xx

Sunday 15 September 2013

Afternoon Tea at Rockliffe Hall

Well after a thoroughly rough night on Thursday with the little man; I was able to enjoy a few hrs off and indulge in a spot of afternoon tea with one of my besties. We decided to give the 5 star Rockliffe Hall a whirl and I must say we were not disappointed. The place is absolutely stunning and the service second to none.

On arrival we were directed to the orangery which was light and bright and looked out onto the patio and landscaping beyond.  We were offered a choice of afternoon tea options and we were even able to swap and change the menu to suit tastes and allergies.  The coffee & tea was also 'bottomless' and included in the price.

We decided to have the standard afternoon tea and when it arrived it just looked positively scrummy. Everything I tasted and tried was divine but my particular favourite was the panacotta in a very dainty little jar with a tangy jelly on top.

So 3 pots of coffee, 1 pot of tea, 2 jugs of milk, 8 finger sandwiches, 2 gourmet sausage rolls, 2 scones with jam and clotted cream, numerous sweet treats and 2.5hrs later; we finally finished our feast.  If I had to sum it up in one sentence I'd say it was "a 5 star experience".  My thighs might disagree but they are used to regular cake abuse so I'm sure they will get over it soon......

If you fancy popping down to try the delicious menu, have a round of golf or relax in the spa; you can find all the details on the website.

PB & J xx

Disclaimer: No payment or incentive was received to write this review and all words are my own.

Friday 13 September 2013

Technical Problems

Hi Everyone

I have to apologise for the lateness but I'm having huge technical issues trying to post photographs using an iPhone and iPad. My PC should be back up and running by the end of the weekend and hopefully I can post some lovely colourful photographs and get my reviews going too.

Today has been a very mixed day. I had a lovely afternoon tea at a fabulous 5 star hotel which gave me a rare couple of hrs off.  Ill post a review as soon as im back in the PC world.  Meanwhile Joe was having fun at his grandmas although he hasn't spent much time away from me since birth and he did get upset when he realised I was gone. He's also becoming very aware of strangers and isn't so outgoing as he used to be.

Since collecting him today it's all been a bit downhill.  Joe has been sick on himself around the supermarket and is currently fighting sleep. Daddy is sorting him out whilst I'm having a rare bubble bath and taking some time to relax. I hope we have a better night tonight!

Thanks for bearing with me on the technical front.

PB & J

Xx

The House that Caught the Lurgy

Morning All

I just wanted to pop a quick post on to say please bear with me today.  I have an exciting afternoon planned and ill be telling you all about it later on but at the moment my little man is feeling a little under the weather after having me up every hour from 2am.  Mr PB & J has gone to work feeling awful and mother nature can quite frankly do one!

Catch up with you all soon but meanwhile please feel free to share The Amazing Adventure of PB & J amongst your friends.

See you all later.

PB & J

Xx

Wednesday 11 September 2013

A Whole New World

*Yawn* ugh what a night.  This teething malarkey will be the end of me!

Ok back to today's post. Have you ever lived somewhere for many years and never known anyone?  I moved into my village 6 years ago and prior to having Joe I didn't know anyone apart from a couple of fellow allotment holders and my next door neighbours.  I don't know if it was a combination of not having any friends here and having a full time job that prevented me from socialising but its amazing what having a baby actually does for your social calendar.  I have met so many new people through playgroups, supports groups, forums and just out and about.  I think having a very happy smiley baby has helped initiate conversation with new people.  I quite often find complete strangers grinning away at me and then i realise its not me they are smiling at; its Joe!  We have a very busy schedule now which goes a little something like this.....

Monday - Swimming
Tuesday - Playgroup
Wednesday - Day Off (usually housework and play at home)
Thursday - Playgroup
Friday - Breastfeeding Support Group
Saturday - Varies (visiting family / friends, shopping, housework, playing)
Sunday - Family Day

I thought I would be quite bored at home with a baby but how wrong was I?.  I might point out that although I have housework scheduled in for twice a week I am not in any way bound by that agreement.  I never inherited the cleaning gene and there's more to life than a gleaming house.

So according to my schedule we have Playgroup this afternoon which Joe and I both enjoy.  There's lots of toys to play with and a hot cup of tea and adult conversation for me.  I highly recommend getting out and about with your kiddies because there is just so much to do.

So until tomorrow peeps

PB & J

P.S. I have a date at the amazing 5 star Rockcliffe Hall Hotel for afternoon tea tomorrow. I've been itching to go for ages so I can't tell you how excited I am!  I might even post some lovely pictures of scrummy cakes and scones so be prepared!

Hello & Welcome

Wow!  I can't believe I'm writing my first blog post.......

So where to start? Well I'd highly recommend having a read of the 'About Me' page which should bring you up to speed with who I am and what this blog is all about.  Is it strange that I had high expectations of a bright sunny day, a hot latte in hand and a huge fanfare to welcome me into the world of blogging? Instead it's dull and raining, my cup of tea is lukewarm and the only fanfare I'm getting is from Joe filling his nappy for the third time today.  I used to rush upstairs as soon as he had finished to make sure he had a clean nappy on but experience has taught me to wait 5-10 minutes as usually there's a last little 'surprise' to follow.  Yes my mummy and daddy friends we all know how glamorous parenthood is!

I was actually thinking about the perception of glamorous mums and the term 'yummy mummy'.  I imagined myself being a 'yummy mummy' in my gorgeous heels and about 3st lighter from all that breast feeding......  Keep dreaming Paula!! Nowadays I'm lucky to get a wash and make it out of the house without any bodily fluid or scrap food stuck to me.  I'm painting a great picture of parenthood here eh? But honestly if that's all I've got to worry about I think I'm pretty lucky in the grand scheme of things.  Sadly I am seeing some of my other mummy friends going through some tough times with their little ones and I have to thank my lucky stars that Joe has been in good health.  I was adamant I wanted to give Joe the best possible start in life and that's why I decided to breastfeed.  Whilst I'm not against formula feeding in any way I do have a strong view that unless circumstances prove otherwise; every mum should be encouraged and supported to breastfeed their child.  7 months on and we are still going strong although we have now introduced solid food and that's an adventure all on its own.

Now what to expect from me these coming weeks?  Well apart from the day to day stuff I have quite a few product reviews to publish including the Graco Symbio b, the Fisherprice Jumperoo and the Hauck up and down highchair to name a few.  There will no doubt be a fair few baking posts and Ill also be documenting our weaning journey and our sleep routine as this seems to be a difficult hurdle for a breastfeeding mum. Ill be welcoming your thoughts and comments on the sleeping as I'm finding this particularly difficult.

Finally I just want to pay my respects to all those people who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington.  My thoughts are with their friends & families.

Stay cool peeps and look after those munchkins!

PB & J