Our baby blogger has some exciting news. 

She is expecting another baby, in December, so it is going to be an even more exciting festive season.

So when you have told everyone the good news and you’re eagerly anticipating the arrival of your baby, it is easy to let money worries cloud your joy but by taking a few simple steps to think about your baby budget – before baby arrives and during that first year – can really help to ease the pressure.

Crucially, talk about your budget and plan together – a new baby and financial challenges can place pressure on a relationship. Having a shared understanding of exactly where you stand can make you feel more in control, visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk for loads of useful information on budgeting for baby.

Getting ready for baby

It can be tempting to buy the best of everything for your impending arrival – but babies often use equipment for such a short time, that good quality second hand furniture and accessories can do the job just as well. Look on eBay or local selling sites, and even let family and friends know you’re on the lookout for good quality pre-loved baby goods – you’ll probably be amazed at what people have lying around waiting for a good home! The National Childbirth Trust holds regular local sales of good as new equipment, clothes and toys. To find your local group and sale visit www.nct.org.uk.

Also, take this time to fully understand the maternity and paternity benefits available to you from your employer. All Mums are entitled to time off for antenatal appointments and free NHS prescriptions and dental care will kick in.

A good way to start planning your new budget is to use the free, online baby costs calculator which is available from the Money Advice Service.

The first year

It’s likely that one of you will be taking time off during the first year and, unless you’re very lucky and your company has an amazing occupational maternity programme, you’re likely to notice a dip in salary. From April 2015, the government is introducing a more flexible approach to parental leave, in which mum and dad can share the entitlement. With more than 40% of women in the UK now the major breadwinner in the household, this new arrangement could help you flex the leave and make the most of your money.

If you do go back to work, you’ll need to access childcare. In a survey carried out by the charity Family Action this was the biggest unexpected cost facing parents. With part-time care now costing more than the average mortgage, make sure you factor this in to your budget. You may be entitled to help with the costs of childcare, through childcare vouchers or tax credits. Find information on your entitlements at www.gov.uk.

Sorting your baby budget may not stop the sleepless nights, or help you know exactly what to do with your new little person, but at least it’s one less thing to worry about.

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This is a collaborative post.

This week's Wot So Funee Linky is being hosted by the very lovely Stressy Mummy.

I am beginning to think I need to carry a video camera round with me, so I can capture the funny moments that happen throughout the week as I never feel I ever do them justice when trying to recall them. For some reason, it has been an amusing week this week (despite some bridesmaid troubles and other wedding drama going on) but we have had a couple of very funny times.

I always seem to be laden with bags, whether it is my laptop, handbag, shopping bags, kids school bags, or lunch bags, even my eldest has started copying me and said the other day "Mom, I look like a bag lady" (I clearly use that phrase far too often) but then the little one jumped on the bandwagon and when she was asked to help carry her own bag the other day, her reply was simply "Mommy, I don't have enough hands!". 

That told me didn't it?

Out of said shopping bags came our regular fruit purchases, having recently become obsessed with juicing, we are purchasing fruit like it is going out of fashion but the little one has adopted some very strange habits since we have had more fruit accessible to her. She has a penchant for lemons and will quite happily sit sucking (or licking) a lemon whilst playing (I know, she is strange isn't she?) but when we didn't have any lemons left, I found her mooching in the fridge for something else. I asked what she wanted and she turned round with a triumphant grin on her face, saying "Mommy, it's okay I will have a slime instead". Is it wrong that I didn't correct her?

*Disclaimer: I don't keep slime in the fridge!*

The tween has always enjoyed having friends over and playing with the neighbours children, so the little one was delighted to find a little friend by way of our new neighbours grandson.

All of sudden she wanted to go out and play.

She wanted to ask him over to play at our house.

We would find his head popping up at the front kitchen window, knocking the glass and saying hello.

How can she have a friend calling for her? Isn't this about 10 years too early?? (I *may* be exaggerating slightly here).

However her little friend is adorable, has impeccable manners and she loves having a little friend to have new adventures with.

So she has been showing him the wonders of where we live .....

It cost me a whole loaf of bread while they fed the greedy chickens!!

But then it was his turn to show her something new. He is a few months older than her and clearly proud of the fact that he can ride a scooter with ease, so this has given her the determination to be brave and get her balance.

Sometimes you just need a little friend to give you a little confidence.

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It is no secret that we love gorgeous things, so when we heard about Sew Lomax, we loved the story behind the brand.

Founder of Sew Lomax, Emma Lomax has been taking the fashion and beauty world by storm for the last two years with her ethically produced collection of stylish wash bags & accessories and this summer she introduced her highly anticipated baby range! Her debut collection of must-have essentials consists of beautifully designed and ethically produced muslins, dribble bibs and now baby bath time towel and flannel sets is just adorable.

The hooded bath towel and flannel sets are made from the softest 100% cotton which is gentle and snuggly next to baby’s delicate skin. There are two different design options to choose from and three colour options; pretty pink, boisterous blue and gorgeous green.

Now not only do we love gorgeous things, we love a good giveaway, so we are thrilled to be able to offer you the chance to win one of these gorgeous bath towel and flannet sets worth £26!. All you need to do is enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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