quickbrownfox

Is there any way of finding out whether you've already had swine flu? Both my daughter and I were diagnosed with the dreaded swine (via Seldoc and online respectively) and offered Tamiflu, which we declined and recovered with no medical dramas. I was never really sure if we really had it though... Therefore, in anticipation of being offered the jabs, it would really help my dilemma to find out conclusively whether we have been de-swined. Can they test your immunity?

Ok, now I am positively salivating. I've only been to NYC once for a weekend, but helena handbasket is obviously some sort of guru. Bring it on!!!

I'd love a proper New York style "deli" serving cracking American style breakfasts, including eggs 'over easy', waffles and pancakes, along with fresh OJ and good coffee. Needs to be have bustling kind of vibe with good tunes, clanging plates, and general busy-ness. It would need to be staffed with proper hospitality professionals who are super-efficient, even if a little gruff sometimes. Would need a long bar where you can watch them prepare drinks while you have your coffee (alone and child-free) and read the paper. At lunchtime they would do oversized sandwiches with pastrami, onions on sourdough, maybe with a touch of mayo. I have spent some time thinking about this.

You heard of this place: http://www.ohsewbrixton.co.uk/index.htm Sounds fab. Mellors Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Definitely a lovely, trendy craft shop that sells > wool, fabric, embroidery threads and the like, and > that runs classes and workshops so we can all > learn how to sew (or make) our own. With cake.

Check out this thread in the discussion section.

I think what you describe is normal, unfortunately! Our daughter has had a few blips in sleeping, and found the same as you, that only sleeping in our bed sorted her out. The first few times, I totally freaked out that this was a slippery slope and we'd end up co-sleeping until she was a teenager (wrong!!), BUT although we didn't get the best sleep while she was in our bed, we did get SOME sleep. She was comforted through whatever was bothering her, and best of all, it was a temporary hitch and soon routine was reinstated. Looking back, the most traumatic part of it for me was thinking it was part of some terrible poor sleep long term pattern and freaking myself out about that. On a practical note, can you get a bigger bed to help ease you through these blips?

Signed! And also the one for self-employed types to use the vouchers!

Cheers, Jamma. Was wondering if it is worth the wedge. You've convinced me.

I know of no hauntings. Just keeping the thread alive as I would love to hear some tales of spookiness in these environs....

Definitely can't bring bubs to anything except specialist mum and baby classes, which is a bit of a nightmare unless you have some back up. Worth considering a child swap (where you blatantly flout ofsted and look after each others children) so mum can just nip to the gym on her own. An hour or so with two babies I think is manageable, esp if they're sleeping!! ESPN in Lordship Lane does have some creche facilities at certain times. I guess that's the beauty of Powerpramming and specialised post-natal classes that you don't have childcare issues. I got my baby weight off by just loading that buggy up and walking for miles every day - was free and bubs didn't seem to mind.

Your post really made me laugh. I hear great things about Powerpramming, but sometimes I think it's best to keep things separate (for me, hanging out with other mums always means eating cake, so a little counterproductive!) I have always been a big fan of fitness classes - if you get a good one, the time just flies and you work harder than you would in the gym, no to mention it being a lot cheaper than having a personal trainer. I am going to have a look at that new gym in Forest Hill tomorrow (mainly to use the classes), and will report back!

After one day working from home this week my husband decided emphatically that him being a stay at home dad was out of the question (and I like to think he is one of the more enlightened ones!). He was desperate to get back to the calm serenity of work.... Given how few dads make use of their rights to work flexibly/ part-time, (relative to the amount of women who work part-time), I think it's a safe bet that take up will be very low.

Quality advice forumites.

Ooh yes, lots of good ideas. The FunHouse sounds like a great project, of which I had never heard. The amount of stuff I have ended up with is obscene! I seem to have everyone else's handmedowns, as well as the stuff we bought ourselves. I always thought I was quite restrained, but how it adds up! Thanks again.

These are more toddler clothes. Any other thoughts?

I have a big bag of baby clothes I'd like to give away. Thoughts on where local I can take? Or does anyone know of charities that arrange for the goods to be delivered abroad?

Defo get a sensor pad. That little green flashing light is just so reassuring, but be warned you will have a couple of false alarms when it goes off and nothing seems to be wrong (normally they are right in the corner of the bed and have moved off the pad). We too use it for a toddler - we know immediately when she ventures out of her bed looking for mischief!

NannyPaye for us too - would recommend.

E&K - I don't see why not! It's not like we spend the whole time (or much time at all actually) talking about our kids. See you at the next one.

I always found it was good to stay home in the morning with a small baby - they sleep (put them down as early as they'll tolerate) and you get your housework done - which means you feel so much better about everything. Then mid to late morning you can head out and be sociable - staying out for as long as possible to get through that late late afternoon/ early evening time where you're counting the minutes until your partner gets home. Bubs can nap in buggy or carseat again in afternoon, and a short one is fine if they've had a good morning sleep. Re: food, agree, take bits and bobs with you and just wing it! PS I am no expert

Ooh, Mellors, come along! We are always looking for experts to educate us! We'll get you on the schedule.... We could do with a cake shop in ED.... a proper one... just cakes... pure calorific heaven!

Of course you can. I was just a frustrated HR Manager with a fabrics obsession (nowhere close to having a business) when I started going to the meetings. It's a pretty informal set up - don't expect power networking, but really great if you need some help getting your ideas off the ground, and especially good for helping you sort out the practicalities of starting a business - there's always someone who has come up against whatever challenge you're trying to work through and can help you get it sorted!

Jeh - totally identify. I remember the day our daughter pointed directly at a man sitting opposite us and said "That man, he's a big one!". Mortifying.

I'm going to sound so Victorian - ours went into her own room at 2 weeks. Slept through the night from 6 weeks. She used a dummy only for sleeping (which meant the 'sleep now' cues were powerful and consistent - not for everyone, I know!) and we had a high tech monitor so had peace of mind about all the scary sleep-stuff. There's always been the odd patch when she may sleep in our bed for a few nights, due to some niggle, but generally it's been pretty straight forward. I think it's mostly down to the child though... horses for courses and all that... but unless you are against it in principle, I would try the own room approach sooner rather than later. You can always go back if it doesn't work out...

I commuted briefly with my daughter to Canary Wharf from 8 months old, and for quite some time to London Bridge (only 2 days a week). We occasionally now take her to my husband's work nursery in town too. I remember some days when she was little, we would literally get her out of bed, straight into warm clothes, into the buggy and bundle her out the door - she'd have her bottle on the way to the station. It never seemed right. So, based on my experience, it is not something I'd recommend. Some days, it all goes swimmingly, and others, you're on a packed commuter train with a tired and screaming baby and you just wish you could click your heels and be home. That said, it does depend on the exact logistics - eg. how close you are to the station, what time you'll be on the move, how good the station access is, how long the walk is to the nursery etc etc... it's the little things that will make it bearable or not! I found between 1 and 2 years were the worst for commuting - this was when she seemed to always want to be getting out of the buggy and generally seemed quite annoyed by it all! Now she's older, we have a great time when we need to travel. If it's a really great nursery, it may just work out, and it is psychologically a definite advantage to have them near you while at work... but I would do a few dry runs (in winter, when it's dark and miserable if possible) before deciding.