Pickle

It really does depend on the child. My son walked late (21 months), got a scooter when he was 2.5 but it took him until well after his 3rd birthday to master it. Daughter was going to get one for her 2nd birthday but I gave in (too many tantrums at the park with only one scooter between them) and got one when she was 21 months - it took her all of a week to master it and she zooms around now (26 months) easily keeping up with older children.

Hope you all had a nice time, here's how our morning went... 9.30am I suggested to my in-laws that they take the kids to the 1 o'clock club. Yes, good idea, we'll do that. I tell them it's open at 10am. Yep, great. MIL then disappears into the bathroom, reappearing just after 10am. Makes cup of coffee. Drinks coffee, makes another cup of coffee. FIL goes upstairs to brush his teeth, reappears sometime round 10.30am. Makes cup of tea. 10 minutes spent in the back garden looking up at the sky speculating on the likelihood of rain, another 10 minutes spent unpacking their suitcase to find umbrellas/raincoats. 11am I finally shoehorned them out the door, and was asked what time they needed to be back. I said around 12/12.30ish would be when they need some lunch. Darling MIL replies with "oh, that doesn't give us much time to play in the park with the children, don't you think you are being a bit unreasonable?". I honestly think I deserve an award for managing to bite my tongue and not launch into a full on attack! On the plus side, they are gone now!

My in-laws are visiting at the moment, and I'm going to try and encourage them towards the 1 o'clock club in the morning to get them out of my hair :)

Sounds like she's doing well - we found the first couple of days were days full of accidents, then all of a sudden it seemed to click and we never looked back. Stick with it, lots of praise, do your best not to make a fuss if you end up cleaning pee off the floor. Good luck. P x

My rings are also white gold, and I've never needed to have them re-coated (engagement ring is 6 years old, wedding ring nearly 5). They're a bit duller than they used to be but still look really nice and are shinier than friend's rings made of platinum (which goes quite dull and almost grey looking). Might be worth questioning it at the shop you got it from, as I don't think you should need it done so soon.

Both of my babies were born at 37 weeks by planned induction due to illness (me - I had obstetric cholestasis). First induction took a while to work (days, not hours) but I have nothing but praise for the way I was treated. I was on the labour ward the whole time, wandering round getting increasingly frustrated at the lack of baby when all around me I could hear babies being born, yet was always greeted by smiling midwives who did their utmost to make my prolonged stay comfortable. They even switched me into a different room when it became available to ensure I had a TV! Second time was much quicker, and to a certain extent we were left alone a lot more but that was what we wanted (if I hadn't needed to be induced we would have opted for a home birth). I stayed two days in the post natal ward after #1, it was fine - there are lots of thread here giving advice on how to best deal with being in the post natal ward in terms of things to take with you etc. Don't expect one on one attention the whole time, but personally I felt that help was there if I needed it which was the main thing. Second time round I only stayed a few hours post birth. From when I first got sick with #1 (around 30 weeks, which resulted in being admitted and then having constant monitoring and consultants appointments) to the birth of #2 I have nothing but positive things to say. Kings are an extremely busy hospital, but the staff are second to none and we are lucky to have such a top class labour and maternity unit on our doorstep. Good luck x

Nice to see you all again, Peppa I'm sorry I don't think I met you (knowingly anyway!). My kids had a great time, my intense dislike of sand is still as strong as ever but I'm resisting my OCD urge to take the hoover up to the sandpit in the cover of darkness ;-)

I'm so pleased you managed to continue breastfeeding Saffron, and that my recommendation was of use :) I didn't find Lansinoh was much help in the early days, however Kamillosan was a total lifesaver. I remember all too well how sore it can be, but it does get better. P x

Thanks MrsP - if I'm not mistaken I think you might be my other wool obsessed pirate-knitting Mummy friend?!

My two love the Very Hungry Caterpillar DVD, which has about 5 different Eric Carle stories on it. Very simple animation, lovely classical soundtrack. I got my copy really cheap in Sainsburys. Otherwise, Peppa Pig is a firm favourite with my youngest, although tends to drive me a bit mad!

I was hoping you'd respond Mel! I've only ever been to Bluewater once and didn't even realise there was a John Lewis there - I'm sensing a "come on kids, let's go on a holiday adventure in the car" day coming on ;-) Funny - a couple of years ago it would have been the two of us posting about our obsession with lovely fluffy nappies, trying to hide the endless parcels from nappy companies. Now that M's coming to the end of her nappy days I've replaced the online nappy buying with wool! I got some Sirdar wool online recently (the "Flirt" one) and am itching to get started making something for myself, but need to finish a few of my current projects first.

LadyTaTa, your picture solves our mystery as to what the baby birds were our cat bought home a couple of weeks ago! I don't feel so bad now that I know they're pigeons and not something more rare :-$

Hey ladies, thought I'd post here rather than slightly scary main boards ;-) I am officially a knitting addict (thanks MakeHQ!) and am going to make some knitted toys for my kids, but don't want to spend a fortune of the type of wools I've been buying recently to make jumpers etc. Generally I buy online, but for making toys I want to go somewhere that has a good selection of colours that I can pick my way through. I seem to remember a thread on here previously which I can't find, but it mentioned a shop in Penge? I'm sure there is somewhere that has cheap wool at the back of the shop, but it would be great if someone knows the full details. I've been to the little shop in Herne Hill which is lovely but a bit expensive. Does anyone know whether the "Fabric" shop on Lordship Lane stocks wool? I've been past a few times but never seem to find it open! I know that John Lewis has a great selection, but with two kids in tow am not brave enough to make the journey up to Oxford Circus. Thanks in advance.

Yes, they're absolutely fine. My 2 year old still sleeps in a Grobag now, and has been a tummy sleeper from as soon as she could roll.

Oh Snowboarder, you really shouldn't feel that way. So he throws food... they all do it at some point, it's normal. Smashed bowls, been there. Mud - my daughter loves to eat it (and instead of stopping her I take photos to use to embarass her at her 21st). I've met you a few times now, and you've got an independent, gorgeous little boy who knows his own mind - and for that you should be congratulated! Personally I have found the period from 18 months to about 2.5/3 the hardest time with both of my children. My son is out the other side and is now much easier to reason with, but daughter is well and truly in the throws of the terrible twos. Stay positive, it really does get easier. P xx

I hope you manage to get some help, I remember how stressful I found it when I had problems feeding my son. The advice to feed lying down is something that worked for me, I would lie my son on my chest and he seemed to find it easier to latch than when sitting. Also worth trying different "holds" if she's feeding sitting up - my daughter used to struggle to latch onto one side, but seemed to find it easier in the "rugby" position (Google will help you with this). Just to put your mind at ease - my son was bottle fed expressed milk (with a bit of formula at times when I hadn't managed to express enough) for the first 6 weeks of his life due to tongue tie and the problems that come with it. Once his tongue had been corrected and after our session with Jill we managed to ditch the bottles completely and go back to 100% breastfeeding. So try not to worry too much if you need to use a bottle. P

Hi there, When I was having problems feeding my son I used a lactation consulatant called Jill Dye. Jill can be contacted on 07816 136 477. She came out to my house, spent a few hours with me and my son, and gave me great tips and importantly gave me the confidence to keep perservering with feeding. I've recommended her a number of times on the forum and know a few other people have used her too. Highly recommended. P

We have always used a Patapum when travelling to and from NZ (as well as a buggy, as last time we went we had 2 children under the age of 3). They fold down small, are comfortable to wear, and our daughter always enjoyed being in it. The Ergo is a very similar design but a bit more expensive.

I'm soooo pleased that the 1 o'clock club is opening in the mornings, such a relief to know there's something to do as the next 5 weeks are going to be a challenge without out usual activities and creche! We'll be there, probably every morning that it's open! As an aside, I've now realised that our usual music class will be running next Monday morning as it doesn't finish until the end of July, so we won't make it to the Horniman - but count us in next time. P x

If she's ready, then it's totally realistic. Our son went from nappies to dry during the day within a few days, and on day 4 or 5 we went by taxi to Paddington then on an hour long train journey and he was fine (we took a folding portable potty with us). It was last June, so he was just under 2.5.

Bishberro, you could try using a wrap sling (I had a Hugabub). My daughter spent a lot of time in it while I dealt with my toddler, who was just 16.5 months old when she was born. It will hold the baby close in to your chest and leave your hands free. My experience is very similar to Charlottep. My son was a "Gina Ford lite" baby, in that we roughly followed her routines in terms of nap and bedtimes, and was in a great routine when I had my daughter. By default she gradually started to follow a similar routine, and from a very early age was at toddler playgroups etc. which tended to dictate the structure of our day. I found I struggled more coping with two (especially with two so close together) if I stayed at home, but if I plonked them both in the Phil 'n' Teds and went out to a group it seemed a lot more manageable. Our active mornings meant that #2 dropped her morning nap a lot younger than others, however worked in my favour in that both kids were tired and slept at the same time after lunch (and still do now! They're 3.5 and 2... long may it last!). Good luck. P x

Yes, count us in.

Ryedalema - when I worked in the city and was at the height of trying to lose weight I used to go for a brisk walk at lunchtime, every little helps. I would then eat my lunch at my desk while I worked afterwards. I know you say weekends are out, but if you're really determined I'm sure you could fit something in? We've got a busy weekend ahead which initially I thought would mean exercise was off limits, however have now decided that I'll run to the kid's Little Kickers session on Saturday morning (we drive there as go to the West Dulwich one), so will meet hubby and kids there. I'll look a complete mess, but at least I'll get to fit in a run. Congratulations on getting your 10%, fantastic - and 1.5 stone off is amazing, you must feel and look great! P x

Yes, I saw Erin on Friday - I've seen here there before, so figure she must live somewhere locally.

I don't know the answer as never make it down there in time in the afternoons myself, but am also hoping they do open in the mornings as it was great last year. Fingers crossed!