Pickle

Another option is to put the oats and milk/water in a bowl in the fridge overnight, then zap for a couple of minutes in the morning - makes it nice and creamy. I don't think reheated porridge would be very nice. We love it in our house, we add sultanas and cinnamon, yum!

Congrats Laura! Next week is probably out for me due to half term, and hubby is taking his 2nd week of paternity leave so we're planning to get out and about with the older kids. Morning meets are best for me as I pick #2 up from school at 12pm. I could do lunchtime meets if they're somewhere that I could get lunch for my 3.5 year old. I then have to pick #1 up from school at 3:30pm. Oh the joys of 3 children!

I feel for you, we have very similar situations in our families. Inlaws ruby wedding involved (entirely at our expense) flying to Scotland with 18 month old and 5 week old, formal lunch smack bang in the middle of toddler nap time with no babysitting options available to us, attempting to breastfeed a fussy baby at a table surrounded by 65 year old men (I ended up having to leave the room, my lunch plate was cleared away, I didn't get anything to eat). You get the picture! The party continued at inlaw's house, we got berated for "hiding the children away"... Which actually just meant it was 10pm and we'd put them to bed. Sigh. Not the most relaxed I've ever been, and their present was a holiday, split between just two families. Tres expensive!

We have steep Victorian stairs and through 2 children (now 5 and 3.5) managed without stair gates. We taught both children from as soon as they moved how to go up and down the stairs safely and have, touch wood, never had any accidents. I'm planning to do the same once our baby is mobile. I don't think they are necessary, as long as you are vigilant during the early mobile months.

I'm not a fan of birth to potty nappies - I've used cloth on all 3 children, from birth with #2 and #3, and find that sized nappies work much better for us. You might be best to wait until your baby arrives until you commit to buying your set of nappies. I find using small nappies for the first 6 months, then moving to a different system (all in one types like Itti Bitti) once weaned worked best for my children. Keep an eye out for 2nd hand nappies, they're much cheaper and also more absorbant than buying new. Good luck. My newest baby (almost 3 weeks) has been cloth bottomed from birth and we're yet to have a leak, they are far superior to using disposables. P x

Fab Susyp, hope you enjoy! My first one arrived today (an Eatwell box) and is lovely - I've eaten one little pot of goodies already and planning to make the rest last over the weekend. I've also ordered a low calorie one to arrive on Monday, will be interesting to see whether they're equally as yummy. I have a promotion code for a free box/discounts if anyone is interested, just PM me :) No connection to the company at all, just excited to have found a new snack option!

I second the recommendation for Mike's pies, they are lovely. I've just signed myself up to receive "Graze" boxes and was thinking how much I would have appreciated getting them as a gift - perfect for me as a starving BFing Mum, and a bit healthier than the other things I've been reaching for over the past couple of weeks.

That's brilliant, I'm so pleased you've been seen already, and how fab that she came to you! I hope you get the operation done soon. P x

I didn't end up going there so not sure sorry - I know Mooncake went recently with her little one, try dropping her a PM. P x

I recently had to look into this for my new baby - I was told that going through the referral system at Kings could take 2 to 3 weeks. Going private was immediate (although feeding is now going really well so I have postponed). Having struggled for 8+ weeks with my first child and tongue tie my preference is definitely the quick option - ?90 is money well spent if it saves weeks of pain, depression and anxiety! Good luck x

Dulwich Park Runners are great, I trained for a marathon with them. A real mix of abilities, friendly club.

I have signed and wish you all the best. I looked round Piplings when it first opened and thought it was lovely, and it has been great to hear of it doing so well. To have it close is ludicrous!

Count me in for Monday. Kate and I were discharged by our midwife yesterday which is great, but as she left I realised that having had her visit me weekly (sometimes more) since 19 weeks pregnant I'm going to miss her! On the plus side, my little fatty weighs a whopping 2860g now :)

I'm able to do pretty much any morning as my middle child gies to school nursery from 8:50 till 11:50am daily. Would love to take part in regular meets - Gardens cafe could be another option?

Great news Nicky, we were wondering whether there was news when we met yesterday. Glad to hear she has arrived safe and well, although sorry that you too had to endure a long induction (you weren't in bed 26 were you? It's jinxed!). Take care xx

My son didn't move AT ALL until he was 14 months, at which point he bottom shuffled. He first pulled himself to standing at 20 months and walked at 21 months - he is now 5 and to watch him with his peers you would never know that he walked a year later than some of them. Daughter crawled at 11 months and walked at 15, completely different to her brother. Made me realise just how much easier to contain a late walker was ;-) Try not to worry, and don't compare to others, it always makes you worry no matter what!

He he, been watching a bit of TOWIE during maternity leave Mothercourage?

We fly long haul to NZ on a regular basis - all our children have been in pretty good routines, for us the best approach has always been to opt for night flights so they sleep well. As soon as you hit the ground in the new timezone do your best to adjust the routine to the correct time. Generally within a few days we are settled again - and NZ is a 12 hour difference so as extreme as you can get. Have a fab time!

So so lovely to see ladies, babies and bump this morning - I've been so frustrated the last few months being unwell and missing meet ups, so was great to catch up now that I'm back to "normal". Gorgeous babies all round, and not a single cry to be heard the whole time we were there as far as I recall! My sleepy girl finally woke up (with a bit of persuasion), fed, and is now asleep again. Long last the newborn phase. Look forward to catching up again soon.

Fab - need to work out how to attach my rain cover to the buggy!

Just wanted to check that others are planning to go along this morning?

Ooh yep, I'm up for Green and Blues at 10am, perfect. Hope a few can make it.

I would have loved to meet tomorrow morning, but have the midwife coming to do heel prick test etc at 11am. Tuesday is out for me this week but I'll keep an eye out to see if anything else is arranged. Mornings are best for me as Millie is at school until 12, so it's just me and Kate. Hope you have all had nice weekends.

Congratulations, beautiful name x

Mooncake, give Katie Fisher a call (you'll find her mobile no on the forum) - I spoke to her the other night and am booked in to see her on Sunday. My little girl looks to have a posterior tie too. I went through weeks of agony with my son so definitely recommend getting it sorted sooner rather than later. Katie charges ?90 for consultation and will snip straight away.