Polly D

Tsk...silly boys. Tho thanks for your suggestion Nette. Sadly they only do silky/satin quilt (shudders). Thank you PR, will check that out.

Can anyone suggest where I can buy quilted fabric? I used to buy it from John Lewis but they no longer stock it. Thanks Polly

Many congrats to you both, had been wondering! I read your post and it brought back memories of my astonishment when my son was born that I couldn't just put him down, I had absolutely no idea! It's such early days. I remember our midwife advising us to try and emulate the womb...easier said than done but try to keep the moses basket as cosy as possible: try warming it up with a hot water bottle while you're feeding (tho MUST remember to take it out before you put the baby back in, something I would worry about in my sleep deproved state), and swaddling worked v well tho I struggled to perfect the actual swaddling but that's where my husband could help. Co-sleeping never worked for us but if you can do it, it sounds great. First days and weeks are a struggle, there's no denying it, but it *does* get easier. I wanted to scream at people 'make it easy now!' when they said that, and now I find myself saying the same thing but really, it does. And in the middle of the night when you've been up for hours and you're clock watching, don't feel alone. Good luck with it all.

Ha ha ha brilliant thread. We love Show Me Show Me. Favourite songs are Groovy Moves and Miss Mouse. R loves working out who's missing/hiding at the beginning. However, recently he's rediscovered a CBeebies DVD with an episode of Balamory. Cue the music being on constant replay in my head ever since. M does it all day long in full-on Scottish accent too.

Only thing to add that is currently a bit annoying: you can't park there all day. Bright Horizons is in discussion with Sainsbury's over this but for now you have to park elsewhere. We're going on the bus at the mo which is sometimes a struggle with the buggy at 8am but that's about the only negative thing I could say about it!

Hi Loren He loves it! We're all so happy with it. I would put your daughter down on the list for sure. I don't know if you can do it until the baby is born but yes, the waiting list is long so do it ASAP. The staff are just lovely: so considerate, friendly and involved. I really feel like they're making a difference to his development, in a good way. He's still a little shy and clingy at drop off but if his favourite helpers are there, he's okay, and they all seem to want to help him to be happy. And then when I pick him up he's always charging around having a great time. He's always bringing home paintings or things he's made, he's learned loads of new songs which he's taught us! The cook is lovely and they always have good food 3 times/day plus snacks. We couldn't be happier with this nursery. Great toys, imaginative activities, lots of good outdoor space, and yes I agree it feels a little odd that the building is in the car park but once you're inside, or even in the garden, you really have no idea. Plus it's handy for picking up supper on the way home! Do PM me if you'd like to know more. Good luck! P

Probably foxes

Hi SG88 I bet if you put together a pile of books and magazines that you've designed you would have your portfolio right away. Could you set up a simple blog or a facebook page with examples of your work? I know you feel you don't have time to do this but it might help you to feel more prepared. I wouldn't mention childcare - or even children - at an interview. But nor would I confidently say you'd be available to work any, and all, hours. If and when it gets to second stage interviews, perhaps that's the time to mention it. Re childcare, would you consider sending your son to a nursery where the hours can more flexible. For example, Bright Horizons is open 7-7, and although each child can not attend for more than 10 hours, it does give the parents more flexibility, i.e. assuming your journey to work is no more than one hour, you could work at an office til 6pm. Good luck P

I shall be controversial and say I only liked the book and loved the film, despite AH's bizarre accent.

How about an etch-a-sketch? My 2.5yr old son had a go on a friend's recently and loved it, amused us for hours. Could be good on a flight: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flair-310-Classic-Etch-Sketch/dp/B000E69YJI

Agree any old thing will do for labour and you may well end up starkers anyway. And then some fave comfy pyjamas/trackies for after, and if the top is shirt style with buttons that would be easier for skin-to-skin. I can remember being obsessed that I would need an Alice band for labour, which ended up soggy and covered in all sorts from the pool. Def want to add this tip: don't be scared of disposable knickers. Best tip my sis-in-law ever gave me.

Pencil case?

Nappies in Spain are much more expensive than here too.

Have you got a basket on the front? Don't know if you could fit a laptop in one though. I have a Hamax Siesta on the back of mine (fitted by BC Bikes) and there is no room for the panniers. But I can usually fit all I need for work in a bag and put that in the front basket. I do also wear a small rucksack on my back with my son's stuff for the day in it and I wear that while he's in the seat and it doesn't get in his way at all. I think you would be fine to get one secondhand as long as you got someone professional to fix it maybe? But they're not that expensive compared to some equipment. Think ours was about ?50 or less.

My son will be starting at Bright Horizons Dulwich Nursery in September when he'll be 2.5. I was wondering whether there are any others in the same boat, or anyone whose child already goes there and is a similar age who might be willing to meet up now and then for playdates so he/they don't feel too lost when he/they start/s!

It sounds like an amazing opportunity but I can totally see why it feels a bit much now. However, keeping him at the same nursery he's used to will help enormously when coping with a new sibling so that's a massive reason to keep him there, not to mention the fact the place is free. I know 6 hours a day, 5 days a week sounds like a lot now but let's face it - we are all up pretty early anyway with our kids, and heaven knows, sometimes the days are pretty long so he will still have a couple of hours at least with you and the baby in the morning, and then a good 4 at least after nursery in the evening. It will give you a lovely amount of time in the day to enjoy the new baby - good for everyone. And it could well be that once you've accepted the place and are in the system, as it were, you can choose not to send him for a day here and there as opposed to a regular 4 day arrangement. In my experience (of one child only!) toddlers just live day by day. He won't think 'oh well, it's only 4 days, not 5'. It will all be great practice for school which is not far off. Go for it!

Another vote for Dr Scorer. Also good there are Dr Masaba and Dr Main. I don't know about mental health issues but they are helpful/good. All 3 are female in case that makes a difference.

Morrisons in Peckham

We are in exactly the same boat with nap still needed and delayed bedtime sleeping tactics! R's bedtime is later (8pm and going to sleep 9ish) as I don't have the small baby to deal with too! He def still needs the afternoon nap. It seems to me that length of naptime and bedtime is arbitrary to the morning waking, in our experience. So errrr I dunno if that helps. Sounds like you need to have a peaceful time while feeding the little one for his bedtime. Could you plonk mini SB no 1 in front of the telly while you do mini SB no 2's bedtime? And then he goes to bed a bit later and more tired? Or is it not enough of an imprisonment? Or books in bed?

"Mummies don't have willies darling"

Great news! Wow, well done guys. LOVE the names. Congrats to all 4 xx

Brilliant names! Well done, hope all okay.

If you don't need them today and can wait for delivery, amazon sell some great ones at v good price, also the website run by the Middleton family!

That's so nice of you jmac but my mother-in-law is staying with us and is sorting me and the quilt out! Thanks though. P

There's someone called peashoot100 offering this in the classifieds section. Am on iPhone so can't do link, sorry, but do a search on her name and you'll find it.