ryedalema

Has anyone mentioned soup yet? I know it seems like a backward step (to weaning) but is a great way of getting veg into them. We do Miso with pretty much anything in it, and sweet potatoes, squash etc make great pureed soups.

Yey no problem - would you like me to organise something or do you have an existing formula that works? I might start a new thread on this too - if that's ok? The heading's a little misleading ;-)

Hi all - I don't know how the last few nights out went as I had cr**py luck with illnesses/husband commitments/childcare - but is there the appetite for a March meet? I'd love to put faces to some names and now that littlest is a bit older (12 weeks on Wed - cripes it goes quickly) I'm sure it'll be easier for me to be 'missed' for an evening. Does anyone fancy a G&T or 5?

Oh man - sorry to hear both of these tales of poorly babes. Clux - I feel for you. My brother (aged 4) once threw up all over my Dad's boss while in a lift going up a lot of floors. He(the boss) was covered with no means of escape for what felt like a lifetime (a seriously career-limiting move). Snowboarder - the projectile thing can really freak you out, on the plus side they may sleep slightly better tonight :-S. Prop him up a little more than you'd usually do, in bed. That might keep things down. I was covered in sick for a few days a couple of weeks ago - one word... Vanish oxyaction! (Oh yeah - that's 2!) xxx

With you on that one Molly. I generally feel quite welcome/secure/warm and cosy writing here (in the Family room), but get quite anxious when I venture to the ED issues or the Lounge - especially the Lounge. Big chicken me! ;-)

Indeed - the Police station might not even have them. I went to Walworth Road Police station yesterday and had to change our baby on a table in an interview room. I thought all public offices had to have them? Sorry - going off topic. Agreed I think it's acceptable for a toddler to go in a drain. I only hope the parent found a safe place to park before undoing the child seat and making it on time. When our toddler wants to go she either means RIGHT NOW, or.. too late.

If you need water (showers, babies etc) desperately you can come to ours. I'm on mat leave so in all day. PM me if you want. Sorry - reading both posts I'm now not sure if your water's back or not (am a bit sleep deprived!):-$

I think it's the gritting that was done at the weekend (I sent a message to James Barber), it's all over Ryedale too. It's kind of cakey to wash off too - I really had to scrub at it to get it all off our car.

Indeed - we've nearly been side swiped a number of times as I've opened the door of our car to put our newbie into her car seat. That plus the number of vehicles that do a u-turn in the t junction with Cornflower terrace and scrape/bang into the cars parked along Ryedale as they misjudge the size of their vehicle. Our car has about a half dozen foreign paints along its wing.

Hi Ruth - I know I'm late to your discussion but just wanted you to know that I had the NCT classes and have met many 'perfect Mums' and I am proud to say that I am doing almost nothing 'by the book'. With our 11 week old we are doing a mixture of co-sleeping, mixed feeding, feeding on demand etc etc. The only thing I know we're doing right is keeping her clean, warm and happy. The last because she coos and smiles - has Sebastian reached that stage yet? When he does it can lift any really sh**ty day and turn it into a fab one ;-) I too am having very little sleep and as such wanted to offer you a shoulder/hand (other body part) in the small hours if you want one. I'm up a lot during the night and if you want to SMS me we could rant together. I'm keeping it together with a big hand from my friend Sapphire 'Bombay Sapphire' (in a non AA but quite slummy mummy sort of a way) so don't worry about imposing - it'll be a pleasure to have a rant partner. Oh - and I've a shocking memory, so even if you do tell me your birth story ten times I'll still be able to react as if it's the first time I've heard it. The only other thing I wanted to add was that the worst part I found about the early days was not having a feeling of 'achievement'. Yes I know we've achieved 'new life', but on a day to day basis there's not much that you can point at and say 'look - i did that today'. So - try and achieve one little thing. For me it was an obsession with an empty laundry basket (I still have it - and my OH regularly has words about it, but tough sh*t). But it could be opening the post, booking those jabs, moaning to the Council about the state of the roads - anything at all. Oh - and if you really need to let off steam. Find a bank, insurance company or mail order customer service centre who have let you down in some way - fabulous therapy (if a lot naughty!). There - I've given away a lot of my very bad habits - but I hope it helps. Please PM me if you want to rant with ryedale-ma!

Indeed - get your name down now. Our eldest daughter's nursery told me that we were guaranteed a place for our littlest in July (when she'll be 6 months) and have turned around and said that they cannot now guarantee this as there's been a major 'baby boom' in ED with babies wanting care from the summer onwards. Is this something to do with the recession do you think? With us all having less money to go out with, so we stay at home and do things that are 'free'?:)) It'd be ironic if that were the case as having a child's the most expensive thing in the world (kinda!) - or it is for us. ?200,000 to get them to 21 I think it is now? Big sigh....... (edited to add - I really hope I've not offended anyone who has been trying for ages or had any kind of challenge getting a littl'un, it's only a light-hearted quip!)

Indeed - our toddler regularly sends my OH and me in there already - if we burp, swear or shout. Not sure who's wearing the pants in this family. What will i t have in it? Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread - feel free to PM me if I'm going too off-topic.

Hi James - just a small niggle to tell you about. The Council majorly overgritted our road this morning (Ryedale). All the cars are covered in it. A minor annoyance as we cleaned the car yesterday (but it's a beautiful day so I don't mind going out with the bucket and sponge) but if we are still on 'grit rations' I wouldn't have thought today was a high priority day - i.e. not that cold or icy! All the best.

Ooh - when's the children's room opening Flo? We'll be down there like a shot (of Mezcal in my case!). I promise our kids are well behaved (not precocious, food flinging monsters etc) - well most of the time. You got a naughty corner too?

Sorry for starting another thread - but I have a dilemma I hope you can help with. Our #1 daughter is happily ensconced in nursery full time and I chose the nursery for ease of commute when I go back to work and also so that both children can go to the same place, come July when 'littlest hobo' will be 6 months. I was told by the nursery manager when I registered #1, that there would be no problem registering #2 in July and getting her in straight away as she had a sibling there already. On a hunch I enquired again yesterday to be told that the place was definitely not secured and that there was a waiting list so it was highly doubtful that there would be a place in July. Unless I signed #2 up now for a p/t place starting mid April (she'll be 4 months old), and then she'll be able to go f/t in July. My OH, as do I, think this is very young to start nursery, regardless of the extra (big cough here) financial implications of starting her 2 months earlier than planned.He also thinks the nursery has a verbal contract, which they should honour. Should I: a) argue with the nursery about the verbal contract b) start her earlier and swallow the extra costs c) if b - try and negotiate with work to come back earlier (not my favourite option as I'll miss the littl'un loads, but it'll help financially) d)anyone got any better ideas? Your help always welcome forumites - I could do with some clearheadness here - but sleep depravity (haha) is not my friend right now :-)

Agreed - I'm watching far more Wright stuff and This Morning than is healthy (and making way too many cupcakes now - 2 batches this week alone!). Plus with our first there's a whole NCT support network for meeting Mum's with similar circumstances. Rookie q probably - but is there anything similar set up for second time Mums?

This is probably a bit banal (but I'm hoping you all think it's good to have something else at the top of this tree). I'm so glad the weather is turning better. It's horrid being cooped up at the start of mat leave - with little incentive to brave the elements. Rock on some more sunny days - it'll mean me giving more of my hard earned mat.cash to local businesses too - everyone's a winner!

Hear hear FJ!

Yeah I know - that why I said I hadn't thought it through.

Me too - very uncomfortable and I have to admit to not thinking this through when I originally suggested 'the press' although I was thinking of the SLP not the Nationals. This now takes things into the realm of 'corporate reputational damage' for Mind and could affect current and future funding streams. Also - as the manager hasn't 'right to replied' - although, Keef, it seems the Mail approached him (but I would imagine someone's PR machine deemed it not a good idea for him to speak) we cannot know his motivation or what could perhaps have been 'a moment of madness' - absolutely no pun intended here. This will make it very hard for Mind's HR dept to be proportionate in their actions, and could affect the manager's livelihood (and family?). Again - I don't agree with the incident, as it has been related. But am v uncomfortable with the demonising outcome.

Wow what a piece and what a collective response from Middle-England. Regardless of the rights and wrongs of this incident I do feel it's a shame that this has gone so hugely public now, before Mind has had a chance to make amends. I really hope that people don't stop giving or making use of the very valuable services Mind provides off the back of this, hopefully, isolated case. Hopefully I'm worrying needlessly.

Scott - I wondered what you meant about The Castle. I used to go there lots when I worked at the Council (boy did I need it!) and used to think it was good (esp. the fish finger sandwiches). I went past this afternoon and it definitely looks the worse for wear ;-( Looking forward to the Actress's debut?!

Ooh - I'll look that one up.... And tell me about it - my OH is nothing if not thorough - esp. when it comes to gadgetry of anykind.

Ah - I've tried the buggy board - but unfortunately the handle bar on the pusher is all the way across, so #1 daughter seems to be bending backwards to hold on. It looks seriously uncomfortable and she doesn't like it one bit. Sigh - hope my OH's 'research' comes to a conclusion soon.

We have ladybirds everywhere - especially in the corners of our window frames. I think it's quite nice though and the kids love them.