biggish data

Right! I've heard of relationships starting in the least auspicious of circumstances that have turned out to be very successful; I'm not sure they would have worked for me, but they worked for the couples involved and that's what mattered.

For example, I couldn't imagine agreeing to marry someone I had only known for two weeks, or marrying someone I had never had any intimacy with, yet the couples I know who did this have now been married for over twenty years.

I view the internet as merely another way to meet someone; like speed-dating, or answering an ad in the newspaper, or asking a friend to introduce you to someone. The advantage I had was in getting to know Alex's personality somewhat before we met, but until we did meet face-to-face I wouldn't have called what we had a relationship; there are still many things I feel you can only gauge in person.

QUOTE (Jomo @ Aug 1 2008, 05:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope you guys didn't get that impression from me. I was saying it was not for me and why. I have received enough criticism and cruel words about my own relationship to last a lifetime. I try to never do that to anyone else for any reason.

I am not downing the way you met you SO's. I just wanted to say why I could not and maybe that is why other's see it differently.

I wish all of you only the very best.

I certainly did not get that impression from you, and I appreciate your good wishes.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-01 12:00:00

QUOTE (illumine @ Aug 1 2008, 05:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Aug 1 2008, 09:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (illumine @ Aug 1 2008, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So once you had a takeaway? Once you went to a favorite restaurant? That is so not what I'm talking about. Visiting is very different than living in the same city/together.

And to clarify, I said *I* cannot imagine it....

Yes, it's different. However, I don't think it means that it doesn't at least give some indication or idea.

Yes, you said 'I'. However, you still came into a thread that was asking for specific advice and addressed to people who had met their SOs online and give your opinion. Everyone who has passed judgement on online relationships to me always ends with 'that is how I feel' and I think, then why tell me that? I don't need to know what people's personal opinions are.

oh, I see, all threads MUST STAY ON TOPIC & never stray.

Got it!

Marilyn & Jomo - better stay OT.....

Of course threads don't have to stay on-topic.

I just found your post unnecessarily cruel and unhelpful and had to comment on it. There's on-topic and then doing the exact thing that Gemmie is asking for advice on (how to deal with comments from people criticising having met her SO online).

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-01 11:18:00

QUOTE (illumine @ Aug 1 2008, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-01 11:11:00

QUOTE (illumine @ Aug 1 2008, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A bunch of us didn't meet online either...and met while living in England. I personally cannot imagine meeting/dating(?) over the internet. It's the day to day things in life that made me fall for my husband. It's meeting his parents, his colleagues, his friends. Going to his local. Going to dinner with friends. Getting a Chinese takeaway & watching TV after a long week at work....

I am not sure how meeting online precludes one from doing any or all of those things.

I have met Alex's parents, colleagues and all of his friends. We've been to his favourite local restaurant and he went to the pub when he visited me. We've also ordered a takeaway together and for one week while he was here I worked and for one week while I was visiting him he worked.

People meet in all different ways. I have heard of people having successful relationships with people they met through friends, at a club, while speed-dating, online, through an ad...I wouldn't comment on anyone's method of dating.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-01 10:29:00

I did the same as you; explained to my parents how I had been chatting to Alex for two years, and the fact that he was younger, was living with his parents at the time (my mother saw parents = safe) and that we'd exchanged parcels and letters without him using my address for any sadistic purposes calmed any fears they may have had. It was also easier as I was 22 at the time and had been living away from my parents for nearly five years.

I completely sympathise with you re. the 'real' relationship comments.

Having experienced a 'real' relationship (

) I can guarantee you that living with a person for four years does not necessarily mean you know them any better than a man you've only met three times! In fact the more I talk to Alex the more I am surprised by how little I knew about my ex!

What also hurts is how being in a long distance relationship means I'm treated by one or two of my friends as if my fiancé doesn't exist. Now, I am very appreciative that my friends don't exclude me from their outings just because I cannot take Alex with me (my friends do many things as couples, but I am never made to feel like a third wheel when I go along) but it would be nice to be occasionally asked how he is or how the wedding plans are coming along. One day I was with two close friends, one of whom only gets to see her boyfriend at the weekend. The other friend said, 'oh, I feel so sorry for you, not having seen your boyfriend in a week!' Another time, when he went away for two weeks, that friend said to me, 'Oh, I feel so sorry for mutual friend - she's not going to see her boyfriend for a fortnight, and she must be missing him greatly'. I just agreed with her - what else could I say? I DID feel sorry for mutual friend but I didn't think I needed that pointing out in front of me!

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 01 August 2008 - 07:44 AM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-01 07:43:00

Consulate costs

Thanks English Muffin - I couldn't remember off-hand what it was.

Hannah - mine didn't, but then I didn't get a fancy record; just a handwritten note on letter-headed paper to explain what I'd had.

And yeah, I really should've ordered photos online. I'm really not happy with the ones I had done. She didn't even let me see first, just took a photo and then printed it off; I'm all shiny from the flash and the background is more grey than white. I'll have to have some re-done.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-07 08:00:00

Consulate costs

Of course you can do it bit by bit.

The police certificate says it's valid for six months but the consulate will accept it as being valid for a year. Personally I'd still not get it more than six months before my interview, though.

I paid for the HPV back in June, which is when I also had my free vaccinations. I had a chance to save a little money in July so I should be able to afford my visa and medical fees this month. You could also arrange to have your medical in a different month from your interview, if you don't mind making two trips to London.

You only require the first HPV shot for AOS. I just paid for two because it's a six month course and four months (injections are given at the four and six month marks) will have passed before I leave for the US.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-07 06:09:00

Consulate costs

Let me see, for me it's been/will be:

£35 for police certificate
£10 for photos
£180 for two courses of the HPV vaccine (you'd be extremely lucky to get this for free on the NHS!)
£42 for train ticket down to London (fortunately that's the only travel costs incurred as I'm staying for free with my brother, but you might want to factor in hotel costs too).
£180 for the medical exam (presuming you need no other vaccines; they'd be extra)
Roughly £67 for the actual visa, and then extra for delivery

I guess it's not a huge amount (just over £500); depends on how much you're earning/have set aside. I've found it to be quite expensive, but then I'm also trying to save up the money to move (that'll be another £1,000 after all).

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-07 03:42:00

I'm betting this has been asked a million-bajillion times. . .

Usually 'proof of engagement' refers to the letters of intent to marry. I took an updated one from Alex with me to the interview and that was taken (they didn't ask for it, but I had forgotten I'd slipped it into the affidavit of support and the lady found it when I handed that over) and attached to my file.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-14 06:12:00

What all did you bring to London interview...

I had, which were required:

A copy of form DS-156.
Two US-sized passport photos, one of each which was stapled to each DS-156 form (one I submitted back to the embassy prior to Package 4, and the one I submitted there and then).
An updated letter of intent.
1 original certified copy of my birth certificate + 1 photocopy.
1 original police certificate + 1 photocopy.
Affidavit of support.
Passport, of course!

Like everyone else I was not asked to show any further supporting evidence of my relationship.

For the affidavit of support only Alex's pay stubs, a letter from his employer and his bank statement were apparently required. They did not seem to count his single tax return and they also did not mind that he had only been in employment for just over a year. We had a co-sponsor just in case but all of his information was handed straight back to me.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-15 06:19:00

Where are you from?

I did *once* meet the stereotypical American. Once! Stereotyping gets very tedious after a while and the stereotypes are nearly always negative. The majority of people anywhere are never going to conform to stereotype.

Jeraly - my brother is like your friends. I warned Alex about him but as it turned out I needn't have worried; my brother toned his jokes down and Alex was able to retaliate in kind. Likewise I was able to laugh with Alex's uncles; it was obvious they were only poking fun, and I didn't find it offensive.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-01 11:45:00

Where are you from?

It's more, 'laugh at the idiots' - wherever they are from!

I will say the one person who really commented on my accent (other than Alex's mother) was a lady at San Jose airport who was really, really sweet. She didn't gush, didn't try to copy me, just said, 'I love your accent and I've always wanted to visit the UK'. She was very helpful too.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-01 07:33:00

Where are you from?

QUOTE (Jeraly @ Jul 30 2008, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I also (recently) got asked by my brother-in-law's friend what language I spoke in England

I said "English" while trying not to actually pass out from her sheer stupidity, to which she replied "No, I mean your native tongue" like I was stupid and didn't understand her first question...

I mean come on - what language did she think we spoke in ENGLAND?!?!

I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

Did you ask her why 'English' was called that and not 'American'?

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-07-31 10:00:00

Medical next week......

It's only two stops from Euston to Oxford Circus and just one stop (and a very short stop at that) from Oxford Circus to Bond Street. I can't imagine it taking more than 15 minutes (allowing for walking up and down the stairs at Oxford Circus) to get to Bond Street and from there it is no more than a 10 minute walk; more like a 5 minute walk. You're going to have plenty of time; maybe even stop for a cup of tea!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-18 07:49:00

We got our LND number

QUOTE (Damian P @ Aug 22 2008, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Alex & Rachel @ Aug 22 2008, 02:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Be aware that if you ask for Packet 3 to be signed for in London that it may take a while for them to get around to actually opening it.

Really? Are you saying that it'll be opened/actioned quicker if sent by regular mail? How so?

I may have interpreted it wrongly, but that was what I understood.

It's because it is delivered to a PO box and not directly to an embassy member of staff.

Having read these threads, it doesn't seem to make a huge difference:

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=118828
http://www.visajourn...showtopic=59405
http://www.visajourn...showtopic=82070

Either way, I sent mine by regular first class and it arrived there fine. I guess it's really up to you!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-22 02:56:00

We got our LND number

QUOTE (katej0203 @ Aug 22 2008, 06:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am not too sure what you mean by the LDN number. Is it the case number? I have received packet 3, and will get it here in the US by courier on Monday... I was thinking of Fed-exing it straight back to the embassy that night, after calling to make my medical appointment. Is that not a good idea then? Am I supposed to wait for something else?

Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

Your LND number will be included in the Packet 3 letter.

When you send back Packet 3, you just include a letter with your full name, LND number and list of contents on.

Be aware that if you ask for Packet 3 to be signed for in London that it may take a while for them to get around to actually opening it.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-22 02:24:00

We got our LND number

You're getting there sunny!

Yeah, I'd wait on sending P3 until you're sure London has it. I'm sure you'll have your interview date soon enough! Sounds like you have everything else in order so...hang in there!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-21 09:09:00

Does the Knightsbridge doctors office take credit cards?

QUOTE (boohbah @ Aug 21 2008, 09:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope I hear from them via email! Thanks for letting me know. I figured they had to take some form of credit card...because I remember someone mentioning it before!

On another note, how much blood do they normally take at these medicals?

My fiance is terrified of the whole needle process. He was telling me, how we won't be able to go out & about in London after the doc's office...because he'll be feeling crappy & weak. He's making it sound like they're going to be taking a LOT of blood. The most I've ever had withdrawn was 4 vials (I can't stand the blood withdraw either) & I was fine. So I can't figure out if he's just scared or what. lol

Just one small vial - I looked! It really wasn't very bad at all and I didn't feel weak or dizzy afterwards. Tell him to look away when he sees the glint of a needle; might help to cope if you can't actually see it going in.

The doctors at Knightsbridge are also more skilled at taking blood than nurses generally are. I've had so many nurses jab both arms several times in an attempt to draw blood (I have deep, bad veins), causing soreness and bruising, but the doctor managed it first time round.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-22 02:30:00

Does the Knightsbridge doctors office take credit cards?

I paid by debit card no problem. I imagine if they accept debit they'll accept credit, too.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-21 03:26:00

Notarized Letter of Intent

I took along an updated, notarised letter of intent with me to cover my bases. I'm not sure if it really needed to be notarised, but they did take it and put it in their file. You're not supposed to need it unless your NoA2 is more than four months old, but recently someone here was asked for it at the interview and their NoA2 was fewer than four months old.

Since you have to get the affidavit of support notarised anyway, why not take it along then to be notarised at the same time? That is what Alex did, and it gave us peace of mind if nothing else.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-09-01 05:52:00

FAO All Brits Flying Out

Yes! BA have excellent prices this autumn. £355 for me to fly to San Francisco from Heathrow, and that's a direct flight.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-28 06:22:00

Folder For Interview

You can take in keys of the non-electronic kind, Gemmie. I had my house keys on me and that was fine. What they are looking for are keys like car keys, that have an electronic fob.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-09-01 08:17:00

Have fun getting your junk checked today Damian!

Some stores are hopeless at assessing bra sizes!

The best fit I have had was by a lady who, after measuring my back, gauged the cup size just by looking. I've heard other people say the same; measurements alone can't give the right size (as cup size is also determined by how broad/deep you are) and that it takes someone with a skilled eye to fit you properly. Of course, it's made even more complex by stores having different bra sizes.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-30 12:08:00

Phew! Finally got here ....

Hello and welcome to VJ!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-15 06:13:00

Copies - Colour or Mono?

QUOTE (Boiler @ Aug 29 2008, 04:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, a photo of the two of you will be all that is likely to be needed.

Not in the initial petition, no. Primary evidence, i.e. boarding passes, passport stamps, are more important.

B&W copies are fine.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-29 03:23:00

The United States of America - my thoughts so far

I agree with everything you just said, lancer1655.

I really dislike British trains. I use them, because I do not have a car, but I don't like them! They're a little better than they used to be, but have made up for their small increase in efficiency and comfort with an enormous fare increase!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-09-01 03:24:00

The United States of America - my thoughts so far

I didn't see anyone accusing ALC of lying or exaggerating until page 9. We all just agreed he had had a bad experience.

By contrast he implied that he thought Damian P was lying when Damian said he'd lived for a couple of years in America, which I thought was a bit off:

QUOTE (alienlovechild @ Aug 28 2008, 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE

Er no, I'm speaking from personal experience of having lived stateside for a couple of years.

I appreciate that at least Gemmie gave me a an honest "no" when I asked about if anyone had been in the U.S. South despite a few remarks about how racist the region is according to TV and the movies.

And yes - some of the harshest criticisms of the UK have come from UK people. After all if we all thought the UK was so ding-dangity perfect then we'd refuse to budge! By the way, I don't like fish and chips and I don't think anyone particularly cares all that much about the UK's past or present significance in the world or else we would've commented on the third time it was mentioned.

Edited by Alex & Rachel, 29 August 2008 - 03:21 AM.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2008-08-29 03:20:00

Lynne - I feel my mother-in-law is going to be an effective substitute doula! I know not many women would agree to have their MIL present at the birth, but she's very supportive and assisted her sisters and many of her friends in home births, so she certainly has the experience. She's a very calm and practical person, whereas Alex - bless him - I'm not trusting to do anything except panic and perhaps faint.

Tracy - thank you! I do, too. I can't wait!

Also I phoned my mother yesterday, and she said that apparently women in our family are very susceptible to streptococcal infections, and that as she'd had rheumatic fever she actually received an IV and antibiotics by default with all of her births. Was interesting to hear as I know it's certainly not routine in the UK!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-04-04 16:09:00

Also - I'd rather not get an epi because it can stall labour, and because I'm a little afraid of not having full and total control over my body.

Having said that, my mother had an epi with the twins, after one induction + gas (with me), two completely natural births (with my brothers), and one birth with a different pain relief (my sister, with whom she also had an abruption, not to mention my sister was born with the cord wrapped around her neck and needed treatment for jaundice - my sister is just followed by a black-luck cloud!). And she said the epi was AMAZING! So I shall bear that in mind.

She did require a vacuum to get one of the twins out, however.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-04-03 14:05:00

Hail all of us indeed!

I am also glad women have a choice! Don't get me wrong - I am VERY glad we have medical interventions when necessary. And I'd definitely rather give birth in a hospital in case an emergency arises.

The benefits of not having an epidural, as I understand:

1. Even quicker recovery/more alert baby, although this is rendered moot after a few hours! But I know some women really appreciate it.
2. I've heard a few negative stories from women where they were left with permanent back pain, or problems months after birth, or the epidural never ended up working and so they were, 'why did I even bother?'
3. The natural endorphin/high released when not numbed after an epi is supposedly amazing, I've heard of women who've haemorrhaged or had a fourth-degree tear and haven't even noticed, they were in such a state of bliss!

Anyway, I am apparently GBS+, boo! So I shall have to ensure I reach the hospital in time to have an IV placed with antibiotics.

Still, I think my OB has prescribed amicipillin instead of penicillin, which is supposedly easier on the veins.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-04-03 13:54:00

Oh yes - I'd go for the epidural over any other pain medication! I'd try to hold off on the epi - stories of it wearing off, or not working to begin with, etc. - but if I feel I can't manage, I'll go straight for that over anything else. Anything that might mess with my brain = no way! I took some strong prescription-strength painkillers once and the numbing feeling was so horrible I'd have rather coped with the pain.

My MIL and mother managed all-natural births, but then they also had five-hour-maximum labours! (Counting from first regular contraction). I'm keeping an open mind; I've certainly read a few stories recently where the epidural REALLY helped the woman in question. A few of them even slept through the entire transition stage, which sounds pretty sweet to me!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-03-28 10:19:00

Being the sole breadwinner is tough! Although in my case Alex does work - but at the moment it's pretty much pocket money for him/money to pay off his credit card. You have my full sympathies, Tracy!

Also, I am going to TRY to go unmedicated! However, if I end up having to be induced... I think I'll opt for the epidural as pitocin contractions do NOT sound fun! Really, my desire to go unmedicated is largely due to knowing how I react to pain medication - i.e. very poorly!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-03-27 16:37:00

Hurrah for three-day weekends! Enjoy it, Jewel!

Julie - I really can't complain. Ankles slightly swollen, lungs compressed, and occasional heart-burn/back pain, but that's really about it! Not too bad for my 8th month of pregnancy.

I'm still relatively mobile and able to work, thank goodness.

I hope I know when I'm in labour. I've heard so many stories of people thinking their water's broken only to discover they've merely peed themselves, and also a couple of stories of people going in for a regular check-up only to be sent straight to L&D because they're about to deliver!

Dizzy - I'm thinking the same way you are! It's too late to turn back now, so really all I can do is press on!

I've considered only working a 6-hour day after my maternity leave ends, but honestly I'm not sure we can afford it at the moment. Even though Alex is hopefully switching to a schedule where we wouldn't need his mother to babysit for as many hours a day as originally expected, we'd still want to pay her the same - we know she's going to be relying fairly heavily on the income we give her.

Oh - it turns out my OB doesn't even attend vaginal births or emergency c-sections! He's actually only there if you have a scheduled c-section; no wonder he is so pro them! Honestly this is a bit of a relief for me; I like him, but was kind of hoping he wouldn't be in attendance at the birth.

Fortunately the hospital seems really great. They have private rooms, they allow you to labour in whatever position you're comfortable in (so long as you don't have an epidural, of course), and they're very pro skin-to-skin contact after birth.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-03-23 16:43:00

Aw no! Having to accrue the time off does suck. I'll hope for your sake you have many more good days than bad from now on!

And thank you! The poster was from our local Blockbuster's when it was closing down. It's actually very thin cardboard, so it's nice and light (hence I was able to hang it on the small picture nails we have). I figured it was appropriate for a baby room.

I am excited too! Just playing the waiting game now. I joined babycenter a little while back and it's amazing how many ladies due in April 2012 have already given birth.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-03-20 15:11:00

Ack, has a whole month REALLY passed since I last posted in here?!

Time is passing bizarrely slowly and yet really quickly at the same time! Each individual day seems to drag, but the weeks are flying by!

Tracy, sorry to hear about your job situation! I can't believe that *one* job is not working out and that as a result you are seen as a job-hopper! How was the meeting with the surgeon?

Mad-Ag really is so cute. I enjoy the photos of her, too!

Anyway - I am fine; usual back-ache and not-wanting-to-be-at-work, but when I hear of what other women in their third trimester suffer, I am really very, very fortunate!

Alex and I are already in a split-sleep routine thanks to his job. He picks me up at 4 pm, we go home, sleep from 5 pm - 7 pm, he goes to work, comes back at midnight and then we sleep 2 am - 6 am. Perhaps (just perhaps!) this'll help prepare us for when the baby's here.

I could've sworn I posted photos of the finished baby/spare room in here but apparently I did not?! It took a few evenings of staying up until past midnight, but I eventually managed to finish it:

(the day bed on the right pulls out to turn into a king-size bed)

(She'll be sleeping in our bedroom for the first few months, but I really needed to finish the room as my mother'll be staying in there for the month of May!)

I actually have much nicer pictures to hang up, but I lack strong enough picture nails - will have to try and find some soon.

I just had these framed:

Anyway, I simultaneously can't believe I only have five weeks left and yet oh no, I still have five whole weeks left! I had my baby shower yesterday which was lovely, so now it's a matter of sorting through everything I received and getting the last few things ready. I need to stock up on all the boring things, like diapers and wipes, wash and organise the clothes, and pack my hospital bag!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-03-19 17:42:00

I agree whole-heartedly with Jewel! Sorry to hear you're having such problems, Tracy. Hopefully if things don't improve at your current job, this new possibility will turn out to be far less stressful!

I haven't been around much mainly due to third trimester fatigue! It's not quite as bad as the first trimester, but still...

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-02-16 17:26:00

Yeah, I've seen Dysons on Woot from time to time. I think we'll be in the market for a new vacuum pretty soon. People seem to love them. What do you think of your Dyson? Is it the best vacuum ever?

I bought an Ergo carrier from babysteals too! I didn't use it that much because Madeleine was never that much of a carrier/sling kinda baby, and the Ergo was a bit warm for this climate (Phoenix). But it's a great product, and I sold it on eBay for almost as much as I paid for it!

Tracy, any developments with your idiotic team leader?

It's certainly a very good vacuum! Mine is RRP $500, but on woot it was $180. It was refurbished but arrived as-new; and I've heard that Dyson refurbished ARE as good as new, no complaints from anyone that a google search could provide me!

I do like that it's a very weighty machine - it does feel as if it's doing its job.

Plus, gives your arms a bit of a work-out! But that may be a negative point if you have a lot of stairs or floorspace to clean. It's certainly solid - it may be made out of plastic, but I've knocked it around a few times (I'm pretty clumsy) and nothing has ever snapped or broken.

I'm no vacuum connoisseur, but I do have two longish-haired cats and it seems pretty effective at sucking up their hairs. I use it 2-3 times a week in our small apartment and am always amazed at how much it picks up! It has a lifetime-guaranteed HEPA filter which I do really like.

The two complaints are: The hose attachment on mine is a little short, and so you have to get quite close to vacuum the corners of ceilings, etc. Also, some people find using the hose and hose attachments complicated, although this hasn't been a problem for me. The other complaint is it's a wee bit difficult to clean - and you do need to clean it. I suppose it's a testament to exactly how much hair/dirt it's able to suck up.

Oh man, just before we moved I didn't think it was cleaning so effectively, and I turned it upside down to find the roller FULL of my hair. It was gross! I also had no idea I shed that much! I nearly had enough for a whole new wig.

It took a good ten minutes with a pair of scissors and a comb to get it all clean again.

For $180 though? Totally best vacuum ever!

Yeah, I have no idea if this baby is going to be a baby-carrying-friendly baby, although I sure hope she is! There are so many pretty wraps and carriers available.

I actually have a Beco Butterfly II, too, which I found for half-price on another site. As you say, baby carriers resell pretty well. I've actually seen a few wraps go for higher prices used, because some are supposed to be difficult to 'break in'! So I'm going to build up a little collection and then find out what my daughter likes.

The Ergo is definitely more husband-friendly, but the Beco is really pretty:

http://images.rebels...s/baby/beco.jpg

Tracy - good for you! Hopefully things improve soon, and your boss grows to really like you.

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-02-02 11:09:00

Dizzy & Rachel, I meant to point out a couple of great sites, if you're not already familiar with them:

www.babysteals.com
and
kids.woot.com/

Babysteals has two deals a day, and Woot has one. The Woot site has a lot of kids' stuff too, but some great baby stuff occasionally. I've bought several useful things from Babysteals, including cloth diapers.

Yes!

I just bought an Ergo from babysteals the other week, and I check it constantly now! I love all the stuff they have, even if I don't really need it.

When I'm next paid I'm tempted to buy a couple of the things sitting in their archive.

And I haven't looked at kids woot yet, but I certainly love woot; got my Dyson there for under $200.

Tracy - ugh, that really sucks. My whole office is full of passive-aggressive cc'ing emailers, and it's awful! Luckily I've not been on the receiving end of anything yet, but my coworker has, and I've seen how much trouble it can cause. Hopefully your boss is on your side!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-30 18:57:00

As far as the little boy...

Am I the first AmeriBrit boy to be born on the tread? You all had/are having girls, right? Craziness! My mom came along with my hubby to the sonogram. As soon as they put the wand on my stomach there it was in all its glory, even if we didn't want to know there was no mistaking that thang. Helloooooooo NURSE. He's doing really well. I'm 17w6d and he was 8oz (estimated) already. The feet on that kid! WOW. He's got huge feet. and a big tummy too. I gotta cut back on the eggs and grits (I'm a southern girl...). One thing, tho...my kid's always sleeping. He only moves if I lean over, or squish him momentarily when i'm switching from sleeping on one side to the other. His movements are totally all about getting comfy to go back to sleep. I hope he's that sleepy when he comes into the world, but we will see.

I'm soooooo damn excited to get my blue on! I'm ready to paint and everything! Prob is I'm set back like $1k because of AOS so we are paycheck to paycheck at the moment. I'll catch my break after taxes though. At the moment, we're just letting the grandparents do the spoiling...i.e. buying.

You are at the very least the first lady having a boy to be posting regularly in this thread!

Be warned... I thought my baby was sleepy, especially between weeks 22 and 24, when I barely felt her move at all. Can I say one thing? GROWTH SPURT! She suddenly became crazy around week 26 - like, overnight crazy. Now I feel her all the time.

That's one nice thing about an April baby - tax baby! Well, another nice thing for me is that I'm pregnant during the coolest months of the year, which is great for living in California!

Go go grandparents!

Alex & Rachel

Female

England

2012-01-23 18:36:00