Lost my bloody entry again! I've been lucky for the past few weeks, so I've gotten out of the habit of saving the copy elsewhere before hitting "publish." Even though I've had fewer problems posting, I find that I have to log in nearly every time I come to the site. I appreciate the aesthetics of the new site but I miss the functionality of the old one.

Mortgage payments to principal:
US: $379
UK1: $258
UK2: $54
UK3: $57

Total progress: $748 down, $152 to go. That's all the progress we'll make until around the 15th.

I'm still tracking all expenses and savings related to the baby, so it's pasted below for anyone interested. It isn't representative of everything you need to get for a baby because we got the bulk of our supplies for free, secondhand from friends, family and co-workers (and those things weren't tracked since they were budget-neutral; I'm only tracking how it has affected us, both cost and savings-wise, to have a baby versus not having a baby). Also, out-of-pocket health expenses vary person-to-person depending on extent of health insurance coverage and also how the pregnancy/labor/delivery/first few months of infant health go. But as a snapshot of one family's spending, it might be interesting to some.

I haven't indicated wants vs. needs since those labels could be up for debate anyway. This is simply what we've spent so far.

Date; Type of expense/savings; Amount
1/9/2009 Prenatal vitamins (16.10)
4/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
4/15/2009 Prenatal vitamins (24.69)
5/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
6/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
7/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
7/6/2009 Pregnancy test (6.99)
7/21/2009 Large pair of trousers (19.99)
7/30/2009 Dr. visit co-pay (10.00)
8/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
8/10/2009 Iron supplements (5.99)
8/11/2009 Iron supplements (5.49)
8/27/2009 Rx for prevention of UTIs (10.00)
9/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
9/6/2009 Prenatal classes (155.00)
9/10/2009 OB contract pmt (127.04)
9/16/2009 Belly band (16.99)
9/29/2009 1st visit tests + rest of OB contract (1012.62 total; 1st pmt) (377.43)
10/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
10/4/2009 Maternity clothes (177.91)
10/12/2009 Iron supplements (5.92)
11/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
11/2/2009 2nd pmt for tests, dr. visits & OB contract (268.78)
11/4/2009 Fleece zipup to supplement borrowed maternity coat (14.99)
11/10/2009 Iron supplements (5.92)
11/30/2009 2 new bras (one nursing, one larger strapless) (24.93)
12/1/2009 No birth control $20.00
12/7/2009 Maternity leggings (to use as long johns) (24.99)
12/15/2009 3rd pmt dr. visits & OB contract (254.70)
12/26/2009 Maternity clothes (including replacement fleece $11) [used gift cards] (70.00)
1/1/2010 No birth control (just $20 every 3 months now, w/ new health care) $20.00
1/6/2010 Prenatal vitamins & iron supplements (26.38)
1/7/2010 Exercise ball (for relief of back pain & labor pains) (23.64)
1/8/2010 4th pmt dr. visits & OB contract (178.96)
1/14/2010 Rx for prevention of UTIs (10.00)
1/26/2010 5th pmt dr. visits (16.59)
2/9/2010 Prepayment of 1st 4 weeks of daycare (440.00)
2/20/2010 Crib mattress ($200 pd w/ gift cert; $30 discount for water discoloration) (271.77)
2/20/2010 Gift certificate from baby shower $200.00
2/21/2010 Sprayer for cleaning cloth diapers ($15 pd w/ gift money) (45.00)
2/21/2010 Gift money from baby shower $25.00
2/21/2010 6 boxes of disposable diapers (different sizes) (incl. $10 coupon from dr. office) (52.94)
2/21/2010 2 wet bags (for holding cloth diapers while out) (13.50)
2/21/2010 Gift cards as baby gift from NT's mom $150.00
2/21/2010 Baby soap/shampoo (9.64)
2/21/2010 Bath cradle (6.64)
2/21/2010 Baby clothes hangers (2.19)
2/21/2010 Outlet covers (3.64)
2/21/2010 Baby nail clippers (2.13)
2/21/2010 Convertible carseat (56.85)
2/21/2010 Baby sunscreen (4.72)
2/21/2010 Cotton pads (for baby cleaning, etc.) (2.19)
2/21/2010 Baby liquid pain reliever (1.99)
2/21/2010 Iron supplements (5.89)
2/21/2010 Thermometer (8.54)
2/21/2010 Thermometer (3.14)
2/21/2010 Baby anti-itch cream (3.74)
2/21/2010 Baby neosporin (3.89)
3/5-3/8 Convenience food (estimated) (75.00)
3/5/2010 Breast pump, bottles, two sleepers (swaddling blankets) (333.00)
3/8/2010 Hospital parking ramp (10.00)
3/8/2010 Percocet & stool softener (14.79)
3/10/2010 Cabs to & from pediatric clinic (22.00)
3/11/2010 Baby lotion, caffeine tablets, ibuprofen, liquid vitamin D, breast gel packs, maxi pads (40.71)
3/12/2010 Sleepers (7.94)
3/12/2010 Nipple ointment, GasX (61.63)
3/13/2010 Nursing bra, ibuprofen (estimated) (25.00)
3/14/2010 Diaper service (299.00)
3/15/2010 Gift certificate for diaper service $100.00
3/5-3/15 Lost wages (disability) (518.87)
3/16/2010 Vicodin (10.00)
3/23/2010 Baby wipes (3.22)
3/23/2010 Baby wipes, baby powder & breastmilk storage bags (24.68)
3/24/2010 Car seat with lift-out carrier (127.39)
3/24/2010 Target gift cards given as baby gifts $100.00
3/29/2010 Hospital bill (1,149.73)
3/30/2010 Baby wipes (2.12)
3/31/2010 Lost wages (disability) (815.33)
4/9/2010 Baby wipes (5.00)
4/9/2010 Ibuprofen & witch-hazel pads (10.33)
4/15/2010 Lost wages (disability) (412.85)
4/15/2010 Baby healthcare premium (59.50)
4/22/2010 Hospital bill (251.24)
4/23/2010 Bottle steamer bags (4.79)
4/25/2010 Hemorrhoidal suppositories (5.49)
4/27/2010 Fiber tablets (13.37)
4/27/2010 Anesthesiology bill (183.20)
4/29/2010 Baby wipes (estimated) (10.00)
4/30/2010 Baby healthcare premium (59.50)
5/2/2010 Storage unit, ceiling lamp and night light for nursery (84.72)
5/3/2010 Hemorrhoidal suppositories (7.99)

TOTAL (COST)/SAVINGS (6,691.21)