Pickle

I think you're able to turn down the blue bin and get another blue box if needed? We already have two blue boxes (tend to only use one) so I think I'll just stick with those rather than another large bin.

Our pears are ripening now too - traditionally we don't use them as none of us are pear fans, but I'd be grateful for any recipes out there for different ways to use them. I think they're conference pears. I plan to pick them over the next few days so will post here if we have loads of extras.

Switch to cloth nappies? We don't have nappies anymore (not for another few months anyway!), but loads of our neighbours have small babies and seem to cope with no problem. Generally since the switch to recycling more we found our standard waste bin is hardly used (one bag of rubbish a week at most) so you shouldn't run out of space - I guess it's just a case of making sure you bag up the nappies well so they don't smell too much.

Oh England, what was that? A win, but not a nice game at all. On the plus side, didn't the new stadium look lovely! Poor Mr Pickle didn't have a good start to the day watching the Scotland match, thankfully they redeemed themselves towards the end.

Yes, same for us. We've been part of the pilot scheme up till now, so the only difference is that glass/plastic/cans etc. are being collected every two weeks which makes sense. We've had bi-weekly collection of standard household waste for about a year. We're a family of 4, with 3 of us at home during the day so we do create quite a lot of waste due to eating all meals at home etc., but it's been fine.

Ah yes, the Nude Blacks - that's my home town, spent many a year as a student watching the *ahem* rugby at Logan Park.

Well said Moos. It's very well talking now about what you'll be like before you've had your baby - you may be surprised at how your views change once you have a baby to look after, as even if it's only for a few months you too may find you suddenly talk about poo :)

Well, we made it through the first game. Just another 5 or so nerve racking weeks to go!

I think it's fine at that age - by about 5 months my daughter would turn herself onto her front as soon as I put her in her cot. If he's able to roll I wouldn't worry at all, especially if it means more sleep!

Sainsburys East Dulwich have a good selection of basic uniforms - my daughter starts Goodrich nursery in a week or so and I've kitted her out from there. How much you need depends on the child, my son generally went through 2 changes a week (always got changed out of his uniform after school), but isn't terribly partial to messy play! Normal shoes should be fine - although I succumbed to cute little black shoes last week and got some for my daughter. I hope she enjoys it x

I used to love going to Bumps & Babes, such a lovely environment - am looking forward to being able to go again! Kapaxiana - it's a coffee/tea group really, just somewhere you can go to meet other Mums, have a chat, there used to be (sure there still will be) a bit mat with lots of baby toys for the little ones. I'm assuming Alice still runs it - she is a fabulous source of support, shoulder to cry on if needed, and just a generally lovely lady. I can't remember how much it was, ?1? You get tea/coffee and the all important biscuits!

Just to echo what others have said - try not to worry. The nutrition isn't an issue at all at such a young age, and the more stressed you get the more you both will struggle. I had one very willing weaner (at 6 months) who opened his mouth like a baby bird and was a joy. Then my daughter, a stubborn little mule who wouldn't open her mouth, threw food all over the kitchen, and didn't eat a "proper" (as in a couple of tsps worth) meal until she was 7.5/8 months. I eventually realised it was best to leave her to her own devices and she ended up leading the process - she is ironically now the better eater of the two, much more adventurous in her tastes. Admittedly her leading the process meant she was more fish finger than Annabel Karmel, but 2nd child syndrome had well and truly kicked in by that stage and I didn't worry too much ;-) She will eat eventually and you will be the person offering advice to others :)

If you still need something, we've got a Maclaren Techno XT which you're welcome to borrow. We don't use it anymore, so I'm sure it would be pleased to go on an outing! let me know. P x

Sorry, just saw your reply. Yes, it's part of the church. And yes, there is a big need for softplay or similar in ED!

The Bread of Life cafe at the top of Barry Road is quite good - they have a small selection of baby toys, and a couple of comfy sofas you can sit on - very reasonably priced food and drinks too.

So sorry to hear this - unfortunately I know a lot of Mums who have had things stolen from their buggies. I assume you reported it to the police? On the plus side at least you got the coat and your purse back!

Not first hand experience, but radio news at 5pm suggested using buses instead of trains. Good luck, horrible night for the trains to be messed up!

I admit to having struggled over the last week or so, my son doesn't start reception until the 15th, and daughter starts school nursery on the 22nd... so now that so many kids are back at school I'm feeling like the holidays have been going on for ever. Although today they have been playing really nicely all day together, lots of little role play games and just general sibling companionship, and it does make me realise that in a week these chilled out days will be behind us. So while I am very much looking forward to them both starting school, I know I will miss the time that we have spent together up to this point. They are both VERY ready to start, so I'm hoping it will be a smooth transition.

Cheeky! I'm sure NZ's poor performance against Australia recently was simply to lull them into a false sense of security. If I say that often enough I'm sure I'll start to believe it... :-$

We'll be watching - as a kiwi I'm nervously supporting the boys in black, and hoping that this will finally be the year they don't choke! Mr Pickle supports Scotland, the kids are quickly learning to support whichever team wins. The first England game is being played in a brand new stadium in my home town, exciting for a small NZ city to get such huge media coverage.

Try not to worry to much - I've done the trip to and from NZ many times with my kids at various ages, and we've coped fine every time. Lots of little toys and snacks are the key. My two also very much enjoyed pressing the attendant call button and switching lights on and off... Hope you have a great trip. P x

I used to play Farmville, until I realised it had become a weird daily obsession - I've never felt as liberated as the day I deleted it and blocked all requests! Frankito, I'm with you on the Bejeweled Blitz!

We've got our tickets booked already, it's become something of an annual pilgrimage in our household!

I had a Vibe (my age gap was 16.5 months). Daughter was in the cocoon for 4 months then moved her to the underneath seat, and we didn't have any trouble with comfort etc... she still slept, albeit in an upright position (it reclined slightly). I put a really thick buggy snuggle in it (my old Bugaboo one) and it was fine. The P&T prams have their disadvantages, but having tried a number of different double buggies in the first year or so of having two kids I always came back to it as the most practical solution.

Hi Jane, and welcome. I had an age gap of just under 17 months between #1 and #2, it's doable, don't worry! Look forward to meeting you on the 27th.