Pickle

Blackheath Halls generally have nice children's shows on (and quite reasonably priced too): http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/whats-on/upcoming-performances/blackheath-halls-events.aspx?page=1&origin1=blackheath%20halls&tag=Children%27s%20Events

We went on Tues - train from Peckham Rye (or Herne Hill/West Dulwich etc) to Victoria, then a couple of stops in the tube. It took about 30 mins all in, very easy.

Nicky - SCBU is the special care baby unit x

I'll be down shortly sans kids, hurray for working at home hubby!

A lose lose situation David - age, hair, rugby and pram. House arrest it is ;-)

The Horniman museum is ideal for days like today

Brilliant, thanks F!

We go to the dental surgery on Forest Hill Road, and see a young male Irish dentist there - his name is Owen, but spelt the Irish way (which I can never remember!). He's lovely with kids, and nervous parents :-$

Definitely be proactive regarding immunisations - I'm sure eventually you would get a reminder if you missed them, but I doubt that it would be particularly timely. You can go to the HV at any time, but there is supposed to be a more formal checkup around 2 years. I went with my first child and it was possibly the most pointless appointment ever (very general stuff that most parents would be aware of). Didn't go with number 2, and got a chasing letter a couple of months ago (she turned 3 in June) - got guilted into going along only to have a very confused HV question why I was there!

I may be able to pop along tomorrow at 2pm, as hubby "working from home". Just depends how much actual working he intends to do, as we may head out for the day, but if we end up staying round ED I'll come and say hi. The Thursday night meets are sadly out for me, but as I'm at home with the kids I am around weekdays for coffee. Mornings I'm child free, 12 - 3ish it's just me and my 3.5 year old girl, so do let me know if you're arranging anything. After a day at the Science Museum with what felt like half of London and their offspring I'm completely wrecked - for the first time ever, having been through 2 previous pregnancies, I have swollen ankles! Thankfully Mr Pickle has arrived home with M&S apple strudel (I've been won over by their TV ad) and I have a whole lot of easy to watch rubbish waiting for me on Sky+ :) P x

I seem to remember my two doing something similar about the same age, having also been babies that woke once around 3am for a feed having had a dream feed around 10pm. I think there's often a little growth spurt around that time, and also general growing awareness of their surroundings. It could be that he is actually taking more milk than you think, as if he's cluster feeding it will be rich hind milk that he's getting, so very rich and high in nutrients. Try riding it out for a couple of weeks, and it might pass naturally. At the same time it is a good idea to see if he'll self settle himself back to sleep without a feed, if he's not making hungry noises it could just be him coming out of a sleep cycle. By 3 months we had moved both of our children into their own rooms, which isn't for everyone, but I did find they slept much better that way and in part I think it's due to me not jumping up at every little snuffle. Not for everyone I know, but worth considering. Good luck!

Oh yes, Playmobile is equally as annoying. I've long since given up the fight regarding accessories being with the correct vehicle etc. Of all the different Playmobile toys we have, the fire engine is by far the worst with it's collection of tiny axes etc. When I do my re-organisation (once kids are back at school so they can't "supervise") I plan to have a box where all Playmobile bits can live in happy harmony, regardless of what set they belong to.

I'm pretty certain that they'd at least provide some hot water for bottles - they'd be silly not to with families as their target market.

It's fairly basic, but OK. From memory they do little "pick & mix" type lunchboxes for children, so you can choose a sandwich, cheese, yoghurt, drink, crisps etc. For adults there's a range of options, and if all else fails they do chips :) Not sure about microwave facilities, sorry. It's a fun day out, enjoy x

I'm glad things are better, that's great news. I'm pretty sure most parents have had those middle of the night moments where you wonder whether eBay or freecycle would be the best option for their screaming bundle of "joy". Here's hoping things continue to improve for you.

Just had a look at the sort and store head, which is basically the same thing - also looks good. Price probably works out about the same as the Box4Blox. Just not sure whether it looks slightly evil? It's here: http://www.johnlewis.com/231219456/Product.aspx?source=63258

This is the one I'm going to get: http://www.box4blox.com/ It comes from the US, postage is pretty steep, but for an anally retentive neat freak like myself this is better than chocolate :) GSJ57 & Helena Handbasket, love your work... I too am a cut it out and stick it on person. Lego is the one toy type that threatens to drive me insane. I. Will. Not. Let. It. Beat. Me.

There is a great box consisting of tiered layers with grids, so it sorts it into sizes for you as well as storing. At rehearsal right now but will look out the link later as am buying one for our growing collection. P x

I dont think it's very common here is it? My sister went to one recently in NZ (not common there either) and said it was fun, although was confused as to whether she would then have to buy another gift when the baby arrived. In terms of local locations, All Fired Up, Le Chandelier, or maybe one of the pubs with bookable space? Enjoy!

I'm pretty sure it only really happens on the actual day - I haven't ever seen kids out on our street on any day other than the 31st.

I'm not a fan either, and we don't put a pumpkin outside. Growing up it wasn't something that happened at all (same country as you I think newcomer) so I guess because I wasn't brought up with it I don't feel my kids need to do it either. Nothing against it, just not part of my culture I guess.

Agree with the others, breastmilk is all that's needed until weaning time. I introduced a bit of water when my two started on solids, but more for fun than thirst as they were both still taking milk at that point. I feel sad when I see small babies with bottles of juice, to me it's a sign of the life of nutrition that will follow for them. Even now, at 4.75 and 3.5, my kids only get juice as a treat when we're out for a meal!

I think they played consistently well throughout the competition, and arrived at the top spot unbeaten. If it had been the All Blacks team of 4 years ago playing today I'm not sure they would have withstood the pressure that they were under. Both teams played well in defense, and France were formidable opponents on the day that it mattered. Would love to know what the odds on Stephen Donald scoring the winning points for NZ were! It's lucky NZ have a public holiday tomorrow, there are going to be some very sore heads.

Nerves completely shot, well done boys!

One of my friends back in NZ has bet stupid money that Cruden will score the first try. I'm hoping for a good game, don't want it to be too one sided as it's not good viewing... but not so close that I go into early labour ;-) The haka is the highlight for every kiwi - love the throat slash version they've been doing this world cup, must be quite a sight if you're the other team!