Vickster

I am endeavouring to make a tractor this year (gulp). Does anybody have any tips as to where I can buy ready coloured regal icing locally?

From the genius that is the Daily Mash: masterchef upgraded to class B drug

I have taught my nearly two year old to sing the Jaws theme tune every time he sees a shark. It is very cute, but probably a bit wrong! Trouble is, he thinks all fish are sharks at the moment, so we do get a few weird looks going round the Horniman aquarium....

oooh I find Andy a bit creepy Rhubarb&Custard Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Andy and Sid. > > H-hum. Enough said.

Molly I saw this today, and was contemplating going with hubby, but loads of other ladies would be much more fun! Sadly on holiday on 16th April, otherwise would have loved to have met up with you all.

We found out, mainly as a I am painfully impatient, and the fact that you can find out was too good an opportunity to miss. Re the surprise element, I figured that with everything else that was going on with the birth which would all be new to me, the lack of another surprise wouldn't be a big issue! I did also find it nicer to refer to the bump as "he", and as mentioned above, I think it helped my husband withearly bonding. No plans for number 2 yet, but I think I would feel the same. It would also help to knoq whether I could get rid of all the boy clothes or not! Be warned though, there are quite a lot if judgmental people out there, whatever you decide. We had relatives (who with 2 of their own children should know better) tell us that they would appreciate if we didn't tell them, as they didn't agree with finding out and wanted it to be a surprise for them! I found this extremely irritating as surely this was our decision to make. Suffice to say, given that one of my reasons for wanting to know was to refer to the bump as a "he" rather than an "it", it didn't take long for the truth to slip out, oops. Slightly off topic, but one of the things I have never got my head around, and other forumites might disagree, is 3D scans. While I wanted to know the sex of the baby, knowing what it looked like seemed one step too far. Personal choice of course, as with the sex.

Love love loved it this week, both Penny and Shelagh and their partners - amazing. Cried buckets. The young night midwife, I tihnk she was called Michelle, was so good - lovely and funny, I would have loved to have her. I had a thought that I might want to re-train as a midwife after watching her!

Sorry, forgot to also mention the amazing properties of Lucas Papaw ointment. Great for sore chapped hands, but also good for nappy rash. My friend brought me back a tub from Australia, but it seems you can get hold of it in the UK as well now: Papaw ointment

Not sure if Kiehls Ultimate strength hand salve has been mentioned above. I think this is fantastic, and the samples they give out at John Lewis etc are extremely generous so you can try for a while before you buy! I also use (and rate) Dr Hauschka (sp?).

Well said Moos Blimey anna75, the tone and content of your posts on this thread made me think this was a joke. However having seen that you have posted on other threads, sadly it appears not. I read R & C's post as helpful constructive advice (based on experience) in response to your question re JAPPS. Whether or not you considered it as such, it did not justify the rather spiteful response to both R & C and Vicki08. Ciao

Don't worry I was the same. Even now, a month later, if people I haven't seen for a while ask if I have any news, I tell them about my new washing machine! Note to self: must get out more.

Train track is a big hit in our house (admittedly with a boy but don't think it should make a difference). My son also likes really easy jigsaws (3, 4, 5 and 6 pieces), in his case particularly of emergency vehicles! I picked up a box from the toyshop in the post office in Dulwich village for ?5.99 last week which are great.

Oh my word, I spent most of last night's episode in tears. Firstly for Lisa finally being able to cuddle her baby and take him home, but mainly during the commercial break when it wasn't clear whether that newborn baby was going to make it or not, he was so lifeless and floppy for a while. So heartbreaking for his parents, but amazing when he started to cry. He came good in the end, but I thought the husband was a complete and utter tool during her early labour. Berating her for not being able to decide what she wanted to do, and making comments like "you were 4 centimetres, your probably only 1 now! - helpful! Did anyone think that the midwife featured last night who seemed to be part of a group akin to Brierely etc was really good at her job, but exceptionally irritating? If I knoew she was going to be my midwife throught out my pregnancy, I think I might have had a go at swapping!

Totally agree snowboarder, I think it is 90% luck, and some children are just destined to be better sleepers. As mentioned above, you can have a family with two great sleepers, and one dreadful one, despite having had the same routine etc. There might be some truth in you get what you can cope with - I went back to work full time when my son was 6 months into a job with punishingly long hours that sleep deprived me anyway, so if he hadn't been sleeping well there is no way I would have been able to cope with that.

My nearly two year old sleeps like a dream, and has done from about 2 months old. Looking back and trying to pinpoint what this is down to is difficult, but I think it must be down to the fact that we are really strict on the nightime routine. Wherever we are, home, holiday, friends/families' house, we stick to the same routine around the same time. Winding down from about 6 with slghtly less entergetic playing, bath at around 6.30, followed by story and milk and cuddles and singing (lullabies rather than interactive stuff), then bed in own cot in a gro-bag (really useful when outside of familiar environment). My son still has a dummy but it is not used outside the cot, and only for dropping off to sleep, it is then removed. I also think a good sleep in the daytime helps with night sleeping, certainly at toddler age. I know the compulsion if your child wakes in the night is to cut down on the daytime sleep, but I understand that at this age children still need 1 1/2 -2 hours sleep during the day. If they wake in the night, it is unlikely to be linked to the daytime sleep and cutting down on this will only cause bedtime issues because they are over tired. Sticking to the bedtime routine might not suit everyone, as it does mean you have to be party poopers at the odd family event where children are still expected to be participating quite late into the night, and cuts down your eating out options when on holiday (!), but I think it is a small price to pay. As always, everyone's experiences are difficult, but this has worked for us.

I work full time (and am also lazy) so try and do as little washing as possible, so am in love with our new washing machine (see Nappy Lady's thread for details) which has a 9kg capacity. Three loads a week (with space for more ni each load usually): one white, one coloured and one towels/bedding done alternate fortnights. Happy days. There are only 3 of us though.... I am even worse when it comes to ironing. Husband irons his own shirts (why should I do it if I am working longer hours than him??) and I do not iron any of my nearly 2 year olds stuff - just fold it well! :-$

I might be wrong, but I think you need to be registered with Forest Hill Road GPs to be able to use Oakwood, the GP refers you to them. Not sure about Brierley, I had Oakwood for my labour and birth and they were absolutely outstanding (planned home birth that required transfer into hospital and they were with me throughout over the course of at least 24 hours) but this was nearly 2 years ago so others might have more recent experience.

Have a look at the website Baby Friendly Boltholes. Loads of great ideas both at home and abroad. We have personally been to Villa Pia in Umbria, and The Saints in Corfu (Terrace House) both of which were fantastic. Happy to answer any questions about either if they take your fancy. We also went to South Africa last year at around Easter when my son had just turned one. Overnight flight with a bassinet meant it was very easy and negligible time difference makes it a good option.

Miele also currently have a 10 year parts and labour warranty on some models. This was in John Lewis but might be other retailers as well.

I love the steam function, it really feels like it washes stuff amazingly well. I use non-bio washing powder still, and it cleans my 22 month year olds clothes no problem. No idea about the functionality with cloth nappies though! The rinse seems to be good so far, as that was one of the main problems with my old one and not noticed any spin issues - clothes and towels dry really quickly.

My Bosch recently gave up the ghost, and so I have spent a lot of time recently researching washers. We plumped for the LG below in the end following a very good Which? recommendation. It was the next best behind all the good Miele machines, but much less expensive. it has a huge 9kg capacity and loads of useful settings including a steam cleaning function, quick wash and baby and allergy care. So far I love it - but it has only been 2 weeks! We got it from Dixons which seemed to be the cheapest. LG washing machine

Membership of the Wine Society (?40). Wine Society

My sister is a consultant paediatric dentist and I asked her this very question. If your child has a healthy diet that is low in sugar, then there is no need to use the stronger adult toothpaste as there is a low risk of decay if the teeth are brushed twice a day. Excessive fluoride at a young age can result in flurosis which can cause white spots, and in severe cases, brown stains or pitting or mottling of enamel. If you use the stronger adult toothpaste you have to be very vigilant about them not swallowing it, which in my experience can be a bit tricky!

Get a novelty cake tim from Lakeland, and then decorate with sweets etc - no icing involved. I made the cake train (below) for my son and it was surprisingly easy, just took a bit of time to decorate. There is a recipe on the packet for the right amount of cake for the tin, and it came out no problem (which I was worroed about) with a butter and then dusting of flour lining. In fact, if you want to borrow the tin you are more then welcome. Cake train

Pickle We were at the Horniman on Saturday, and I just wanted to say how lovely we though the music was, particularly 'Let it Snow'. Very festive and enjoyable, and my son who is 21 months loved it. Victoria