Gillymonkey

HI All ,

This is really just a rant. I know in my head everything will come out of but the meantime is so extremely frustrating.

We are currently in the US where we both work but our visa is tied to my husband's job. He has been offered a new job for a new firm back in the UK, however, as it is a new company and they are waiting on the final contracts coming through with the investors (global pharmaceutical giant) and thus the money they can't give him a formal offer of employment. We know it will come through as those involved in the company are respected global names in the field who already has contacts with the VP etc of the pharmaceutical company. It's just a matter of being patient while the two sets of lawyers haggle.

To make things even more complicated I am already 21 weeks pregnant with No2. So I have a deadline of being back in the UK by March end so I can get set up with the NHS in a timely manner before giving birth.

We've been told we should hear something in the next 3 -4 weeks. Hubby wants to resign in a couple of weeks time and book flights etc but I am trying to convince him to be a bit more sensable. I've said we can give notice on our apartment and start selling stuff etc but to hang on before telling our employers as late as possible 'just in case'.

I hope this makes sense, I think my head may explode with it all.

Bnet36

I understand how frustrating this can be. I have been doing a bit of this to help me get to this year. Find things to keep you occupied but still working towards the goal. Packing what you won't use between now and departure, sorting the donate and throw away piles, for you baby shopping... There are things worth getting here baby gear wise.

Hang in there!

Gillymonkey

HI,

Yes, we've started sorting through our stuff. We don't plan on shipping more than a few boxes so we are having a major purge. Thankfully it looks like we may have someone to buy some of our bigger furniture items.

I have an 18month old aready and am having another little boy so not really planning on buying much new baby gear. (We didn't go overboard last time either). The only thing I am half considering is a double stroller since they are cheaper here but need to figure out the logistics of getting one to the UK.

I just wish the formal offer letter would hurry up. 7 weeks and counting before I need to be back or I need to stay in the US to give birth.

Sally Redux

Good luck with it all. Very nerve racking with that deadline!

I am so jealous of all the cool strollers you can get nowadays! I'd say make life easier and just get one here.

Gillymonkey

Thanks!

I just can't figure out how to get a double stroller home since I don;t want to have exorbinate shipping charges.

Do you think I could gate check a double even if I only have one infant?

Sally Redux

Oh I meant get one in the UK.

But you could probably check a double - why not?

Gillymonkey

Gotcha!

We have a friend of a friend coming on Sunday to buy a load of our furniture. Exctiting times!

Sally Redux

That's great. I ended up paying people to take a lot of my stuff away.

Gillymonkey

Looks like we may avoid that.

He's buying our 2 sofas, kitchen island, dining table, couple of chests of drawers and our bed.

Thankfully we have fancy cushioned patio furniture we can bring in and have a spare bed.

NiHao

You can definitely gate check a double stroller

Shirtback

Yup sidenote: it's been a very long time since I needed/used a double pushchair, however, try & get the lightest weight one (that isn't flimsy)you can. I originally went for fancy/solid/sturdy, & ended up having to replace it. It was too darn heavy to manoeuvre even when the sprogs were still relatively small.

Good luck!!

Bnet36

Ditto to what Shirtback said. I'm still not sure which is better the side by side or front and back.

Anyhow, I am sure there are much better versions since I had to use them.

Lancs75

Hi, you should be able to check the stroller in free of charge. Most airlines allow certain baby items to be checked in, stroller, car seats, porta cots etc.. We are taking all 3 of these things from NZ to UK in march at no extra cost. Some will allow small buggies on board but it has to be very small and coming from the US i suspect it will be harder to bet one on the plane. They tend to assesses on a case by case situation at check in.

Totally sympathise with your situation, my children turn 1 & 3 just 2 weeks after we arrive, we had to hold off with certain things for a while, mainly telling my husbands employers and landlord, both turned out to be very good in the end. Just remember dont get stressed and upset if things dont go to plan it wont make a difference to the situation so why worry about it too much, things will get there in the end:-)

Gillymonkey

I may leave the stroller and get it in the UK. We are coming from the West Coast USA to Glasgow so always have at least one stop so have to gate check the stroller so it can be used for M at the airport.

I actually feel less stressed than I thought I might. We sold those furniture items yesterday so we spent the day reconfiguring our apartment, made my 18 month old hyper - he kept running around going 'wow', ha ha! It it all doesn't come to pass we at least have had a good clear out.