Pickle

Ditto mrnzjac. I'm a kiwi, when I go home for holidays I'm always struck by just how much coverage the royal family get over there - NZ is a nation of royalists! I too would love to know where to get a good bacon and egg pie - have lived in the UK 10.5 years and still miss it.

We had carpets laid in our house just over a year ago (replaced existing carpets which were pretty horrendous), and chose quite a light colour... which made a lot of people raise their eyebrows as we have two (soon to be 3) kids and a long haired cat. It's been fine. We had a Dyson which was specifically for pet hair, and have now traded it for a Miele which is great. I've just had the carpets professionally cleaned after having been down a year - they weren't obviously in need of it, but we decided it was best to get it done annually to keep on top of it. We are pretty strict about not wearing shoes on the carpets, and the kids are great (in fact, they're the ones who are strict about it, and are often heard to tell visitors to take their shoes off!). Carpets/kids/pets are do-able!

I love the fact that there have been over 100 views and not one "cool Mum" ;o)

Brilliant, you won't regret it, they are worth every penny and you'll use them for years. We are going to end up as a 3 Tripp Trapp family when our next baby turns up!

With regards to NCT classes - first time round I was also due in January, and when I inquired about NCT locally there were no classes running in Dec/Jan, so we ended up having to do a 3 day intensive course in Brixton. Personally I didn't find the class very useful (had basically read or heard from others all the stuff we learned) and due to the fact that we were all spread over Herne Hill, Brixton, ED etc. we didn't forge friendships at all. I think there are more teachers locally now, but worth checking now whether courses will be running that suit you. I don't want to be negative, that's just my experience. I found I met far more people by just going along to classes locally, and even just wandering in the park. I didn't go to classes for #2, as it was still all far too fresh in my mind at that point (#1 was just 9 months old when I got pregnant again). I have what feels like a massive bump - I'm not entirely sure how many weeks I am (I guess that's what happens with #3!), 15ish?! I haven't put much weight on anywhere else, but am well and truly in maternity trousers. Oh, and my belly button has popped out already... aaaaaagh! Congrats to all the new ladies on this thread, numbers are growing. P x

I would reheat it again - you made it, you know it hasn't been frozen, and as long as it's reheated until piping hot it would be fine. Obviously everyone will have different ideas of what's OK and what's not, but that's what I'd do.

I have kids, don't generally use the parent & child spaces as they will walk beside me holding my hands - so I figure others need them more than me. Was there this morning, and saw someone mention to a man (mid 50's) that he had just parked in a parent & child space. His response was that due to being overweight he needed to park closer to the entrance. I bit my tongue and resisted the urge to suggest that perhaps walking across the carpark may do him good...

Tripp Trapp chairs are brilliant. We started out with a Chicco highchair that had won all sorts of awards, and did just about everything (except make the baby eat!) and it was a nightmare - hard to keep clean, an absolutely monstrosity that took up half the kitchen etc. Having switched to a Tripp Trapp when our son was about 15 months old, we then bought another one to use right from the start with our daughter, and they still use them now (4.5 and 3) - I imagine we'll still be using them for many years.

I would put them both down at the same time, as you would usually at home. Would your 3.5 year old understand if you said to her she can lie in bed and quietly read a book, until her little brother has gone quiet? If it's just for 10 minutes she may be fine anyway, but if she struggles to settle with the noise that could be an option.

You will be fine. We have worried about the same thing in the past, but having had them share rooms a few times now we're about to move them into the same room at home.

I've never had problems taking milk/food for babies on flights - Millsa that's such an unfortunate experience for you! On our many trips to and from NZ I haven't once had to open or taste milk (phew, because I hate the stuff, so I'm sure they'd think I was acting suspiciously!!).

Congratulations Sal, that feeling of relief is amazing isn't it?! The 25th is now firmly in my diary - lovely Mr Pickle has even agreed to miss a night of hockey training to look after the kids (guess he figures he better not argue with a wife pregnant for the 3rd time...) Looking forward to meeting you all.

I've just driven up Lordship Lane - lots of shops boarded up, but pubs and some restaurants open as usual, with people sitting in the sun enjoying a drink. Nothing untoward at all. Mr Pickle has cycled home from the city, no problems at all, was able to cycle his usual route (old canal path to Peckham Pulse, Highshore Rd etc.).

Absolutely shocking. I hope there was nobody in that building :(

Live pictures on Sky news now of a building on fire (beside Greggs) in Peckham

Mr Pickle has just cycled home, usual routes through Peckham blocked by police, generally said he saw lots of "youths" walking towards the area with hoodies up and scarves on. Maybe I'm just old, but I don't get the attraction of going to an area where there are rumours of trouble to join in on the action.

Yes Thomas, on Rye Lane (might have been Phones 4 U), on the left hand side as you go down towards Peckham High Street.

I was in Peckham an hour or so ago - noticed one of the mobile phone shops had a smashed front window, with alarms blaring and security gate down. No idea what had happened, but nobody looked particularly frantic (the staff were just milling round outside).

We went through this with our daughter, the phase passed pretty quickly, and in the end she actually started sleeping on her tummy (a revelation, as she slept much better when she decided that was her comfy position!).

I'm also up for an evening meet up, as both my older kids will be at school when the baby arrives so I too will be able to act like a first time Mum during the day (well, mornings anyway!).

Agree - don't worry at this age. For many children speech doesn't start to develop properly until they're over 2. Ironically in our family we were in the situation where our 20 month old could talk, but couldn't walk... so no matter what there's always something to worry about!

I'm not able to make next Friday I'm afraid... due to problems in my other pregnancies I've got my first consultants appointment at Kings at 12:15pm, and then will be packing to go on holiday (we leave early Sat). We're back Saturday 20th and then around for the remainder of the holidays so would be lovely to finally meet some of you then. In the meantime, congratulations to the new people on this thread! All's well with me, apart from the overwhelming urge to eat raw onion, which I'm hoping will pass! P x

Yes, they called at my house this afternoon too... "we're delivering to a few of your neighbours and they suggested we call on you too". I did have a look (purely for interests sake as we do need outdoor furniture) and it looked OK. Very dubious though - "this set usually retails for ?2,000 and we're selling for ?400". Too good to be true I fear.

Both are great. For anyone who might be interested in a trip to Hever Castle on bank holiday Monday (Aug 29th) I'll be there from 12:30 till 5pm with the Lewisham Concert Band providing free live music outside the castle. Mr Pickle and the little Pickles are coming too, now we just need to pray for nice weather!

I always just lock the car and nip in to pay - at either the station mentioned about or the Texaco near Goose Green you can see your car while you're paying.