April Budget

Well, this month was even more painful!  Here is how we did....

Savings Goal:
$500/month of Victor's usual monthly income (2 paychecks)

Total Savings in April:
$180 :(

Costs:

Food:
Over $130 -- This is due to the fact that I ordered 3 months worth of grass fed ground beef.  It costs about the same as our grocery store lean beef (full price) but you have to order in bulk so that was an additional $80 over normal groceries.

Fixed Costs:
Under $100 -- thanks to lower gas/electric

Entertainment:
Under by $30

Household/Unexpected Costs:
Over the goal by close to $700!! 

What were the big expenses??

MEDICAL costs are killing us at the moment
Total this month was $515!
We have good insurance but it is allergy season so Victor, Erik, and Lainey all saw the doctor at least once plus they are all on Singulair (expensive) and Claritin on a daily basis.
We also had to pay $150 for Victor's new c-pap machine (thanks to the airport employees who "gently" tossed V's bag onto the plane and broke the last one).

We also spent close to $300 on a new mower.

Anticipated expenses next month?

Vehicle registration/driver's license x 2 -- $360 for 2 cars/people
Victor's birthday
Swimming class and gymnastics registration for the kids

We owe the hospital and obstetrician approximately $1100.  We are just going to pay this out of our savings though, rather than try to squeak it in over the next 2 months budget and still try save $500/month.  It would cause me stress to include it in our monthly budget and would probably reduce my grocery list to rice and beans.  We figure hospital bills for a new baby are a reasonable thing to use our savings for!  He is certainly worth it!

How are we doing after 4 months on a budget?

Overall, we are doing well. 

I am happy that we have always spent less than we made and feel we have been spending our money wisely. 

It is a little stressful to be in a position were I feel the need to plan how every dollar is going to be spent before spending it.  I think it is probably a good fiscal policy to live this way but a little frustrating to feel like it is not a choice - after living pretty freely for a number of years!  

I am getting creative at finding fun things to do for free and making sure to get the best deal on things.  It is a sometimes fun to see how many days we can go without spending a penny (never more than 7 since that is how often I get groceries). 

We did get a nice tax return this month so we were able to fund an IRA and add to our minivan fund.

Family Fun

We spent today in DC, first attending Liam's 2nd birthday party.  Most of our "playgroup" friends were there so it was fun!  We miss them all lots but we got stuck in terrible traffic on the way there (accident on the freeway) which we don't miss at all.  Thanks Karen for a fun time and good food!

Dipping their fingers in the pool.  Doesn't Erik look LONG!

After the birthday party we took the metro into downtown DC.  Both Erik and Lainey were quite excited about the train. :)  We visited the sculpture garden and Air and Space Musuem today. 

The weather was perfect and the kids were well behaved.  We had a fun, busy day!

Happy Baby hanging out during a pit stop on the way home!

Baby Update

 Carson is one day shy of seven weeks.  He is doing well.  He seems to be moving out of the newborn stage already. :(

 We have a nice bedtime routine set up for him and he seems to understand day vs night.  I usually nurse him for the "last" time between 9-10 pm, swaddle him, and put him to bed.  He usually sleeps until 2 AM or so.  Some of his feedings are quick (30 minutes) but other times he is awake for a loooong time (2 hours or so).  Most nights it is around 45-60 minutes from start to finish.  He get up for a second feeding most nights between 4-5 AM and then usually sleeps until 8 AM or so. 

Beautiful Boy!

Victor, my very helpful husband, has been sleeping on the couch since Carson was born.  I could never sleep on the couch but he seemingly doesn't mind.  About 50% of the time he does the first feeding for Carson allowing me to sleep from 10:30 (or so) - 4 AM (or so).  The nights Victor doesn't do the first feeding he thereotically can get a full 8 hours but that's not garenteed as Erik and Lainey still get up at times.    Anyway, since Carson is a pretty good sleeper and Victor is very helpful neither of us are overwhelmingly tired at this point.  Yay! 

Carson is still sleeping upright in his "bouncy" chair.  He is getting 1 cc of Zantac (75mg/5ml) 3x a day.  This a big dose but seems to be doing the trick for now.  He still can not lay flat though so for now he will stay sleeping in his chair.  This works okay for the time being as he sleeps in the room with whoever is taking the next feeding.  I would like to get him used to his room, and Victor sleeping in a bed instead of the couch relatively soon though.

We saw the first smiles this week.  Wonderful and fun!  Carson is a wonderful, laid back, easy going baby.  I just love everything about him and think he is the easiest baby ever.  His sweet demeanor has certainly made this transition smooth. 

He is tracking with his eyes as well and it is neat to watch him look around to see Erik and Lainey. :)

He is a good eater and growing fast!  I nurse him on demand which is usually every 2-3 hours.  At his doctor's appointment today he was 12 pounds.  I think he is close to 25 inches as well.   Long and "thin." 

Erik and Lainey are doing MUCH better!  For two weeks they were little hellions, Erik being the ring leader.  I think their behavior has returned to normal now and I am grateful! They both love Carson and want to help if possible.  Lainey loves to give him kisses on the mouth. :)

We are doing well!  Three kid are certainly more work than two but I am really enjoying being a mom of three.  I think this has been the easiest emotional transition for me.  I don't feel anxiety that comes as a first time mom or overwhelmed like I did as a second time mom.  So it's been good.