In the name of budgets.

With a baby on the way, it has never been more important for us to save money and likewise work on getting out of debt. I'm not exaggerating when I say I spent 8 hours on Saturday making a budget that would allow us to head in that direction and still be doable. Not an easy task, and yet something that had to be done. Every 100 dollars is going to make a significant difference for us. It's a scary thought--but we've got to do this wisely. Perhaps being wise will allow us some other luxuries. I've always dreamt of staying home with my children. We realize that saving the money we'd be spending on childcare is worth it on its own, but add in breast-feeding and cloth diapers, the ability to hunt for bargains and micromanage our finances and I think we may actually make more money doing this.

Another goal over the next five months will be for me to find some people for whom I can clean house. The plan is to gather five homes and then once I'm done with my "maternity leave" if you will--I will be able to take baby boy along and tidy a home a day for a little extra income. Bobby will pick up side work--but all and all--we are determined to make things work. I would like to raise my own children and not give-in to the pressure by turning to childcare.

I've found our first budget savers. We are very excited. Our budget includes a little extra each month for baby things. Check-out my finds and our plans for them.This IKEA crib is 79 dollars. It is nothing fancy, but on a design end I rather prefer it's Quaker simplicity. I plan on painting and upholstering Julian's bed, so doing something similar with this crib will create a unified look. The mattress has two positions (high and low) and the standard safety features are in place. I will be painting Julian's bed green and upholstering part of the headboard with the same brown tweed we used on our bed. There is some thought to doing a deep burnt red (with orange tones) for this crib and making a bed skirt with the tweed fabric. Making each item individual to it's owner/user while still fitting together.
This IKEA high Chair is 19 dollars. It is likely that until He is ready for a High Chair we'll do most of the feeding with the kid propped in a bouncy chair so until he is sitting it won't be a necessity. The High Chair is 19 dollars and the tray is an additional five. That means 25 dollars for a high chair that is clean, simple, and well within our budget.

Another find, that perhaps if budget allows we will buy for Julian. He has a high Chair, but it is an old antique that is a big wobbly and he will grow out of soon. We would have a matching set with the two. I am realizing that in our crowded home with dark furniture, we're going to need some bright whites to start brightening the place up and creating some unity. These just might do the trick in our teeny, tiny kitchen.

Finally a couple of luxury items that are not in our budget, but that we would love to have!
Shall I say "Just have to have!" I found these the second month I was pregnant. Browsing a pregnancy magazine in the doctors office. They are called Baby Hawk Carriers and are extremely versatile. I just love them. We will also be able to use it for a long time. We want the day of the dead skull print with the black solid fabric, but I also LOVE the one above it with the birds...which would go much better with our themed decor. If I can slide it in, I will likely put it on my baby shower registry. For now, my dream runs me an entire months budget for baby stuff (while the IKEA stuff combined runs the same) hehe.

All items (to give credit where credit is due) can be found here and here.

Finally, this one...also at the IKEA site, this one's for you Laura. Just a thought for your baking friendly family.