Moos

Yeah, sorry - appreciate that it could easily be a sign of my very limited sense of humour. :-$ Anyway, bands are a top idea. Don't know what she likes, but anyway it would be up to poor Mr. Moos to accompany her!

Enjoy! - I take huge delight in seeing the little one scooting off so joyfully and independently, and selfishly it's great to be able to get around a bit quicker too. Another tip - not that he's ever had a bad fall, but having the tools to help 'cure' the odd scrape is the difference between happily resuming a trip out and having to go home. I've experimented with different brands and have discovered that Shrek plasters have the most medicinal efficacy. Plain ones without donkeys and ogres just don't take away the pain so well.

Hi Steve Appreciate that your comments are intended as a joke, but could I politely request that the story stops where it is now rather than being continued? It's making me a little uncomfortable, as I didn't put my husband's god-daughter on the forum to become the subject of a fantasy about teenage pregnancy and disease. All the best Moos

Thanks everyone - really useful tips and some great ideas - all much appreciated. Of course we have asked her what she wants to do, apologies if that wasn't clear from "she isn't sure what sights she would like to see". My limited experience of her and of young people is that they like to be given a selection of things to do rather than being asked out cold 'So, what are we doing then?', especially in a strange city. I would be happy for her to have some experiences that will stretch her boundaries and which she could choose or not choose to tell her parents about, within the limits of the trust that her parents have put in us to look after their beloved daughter.. She is both arty and crafty, so so the fashion museums and pottery stuff is a fantastic thought. Also markets, also trips to the countryside out of London. Many thanks again, my useful forum friends. (WOD, last I heard she was still in bed, but that was after a very late arrival in London last night ;-))

We got one for Moosling when he was 2 1/2, it took him a couple of weeks to like it, as he initially found balancing difficult. A lot of encouragement and persistence later he got the hang and now he loves to scoot. Thought it might be worth mentioning in case your present is not initially all that well received that it can still work out well! But my son is one of those kids who doesn't really like anything new.

I think it's easier to have a more cosy and affectionate view of the technicalities of baby-rearing when you have day and night nannies to help you out. Changing the odd pooey nappy probably is fun. Doing it 5 times a day because you have to, less so.

Morning folks The daughter of a close friend has come to stay with us for a few days to improve her English and to enjoy her first solo holiday, i.e. without parents. She's a very sweet-natured and not at all streetwise 15 year old. Any thoughts on fun things to do for 15-year-olds in London? I haven't a clue what teenagers like these days. She was in London years ago as a younger child, but isn't sure what sights she would like to see.

The vacuous expresssions of spoilt airbrushed models aside, who on earth at the NCT decided it would be reasonable to expect private rooms for breastfeeding all over the place? It would be lovely, but how would it be paid for?

Clive James described Barbara Cartland's eyes as "looking like the corpses of two crows that had flown into a chalk cliff". Cruel but sublimely funny.

This is how I'm imagining you these days, Brum..

Congratulations Jeremy and Mrs. Jeremy! Lovely news.

Think I remember Buggie (our resident senior A&E nurse) saying that the most common injury she sees for babies in the home is pinched fingers in doors, so the non-close things seconded. Once baby starts pulling up, a stovetop guard is useful.

"don't lick the pavement" and "don't lick the cat's bottom" are two things I never thought I'd have to say, along with such handed-down-the-generational classics as "Are you listening?" (in self-righteous tone), "what did I just tell you?" (ditto), and the one I try to stay away from but sometimes pops out - especially because we're in the WHY phase - "Because I said so". Ho hum.

*polite applause*

My memory of my last trimester (for me was April-June) was that by the end anything 'to show off the bump' was totally inappropriate, and only loose and floaty would do. Over the bump trousers much more comforting and comfortable. In the warm weather, maybe one open 'waterfall'-stye cardigan should do serve as the only extra layer you need. Long dresses or short dresses as tops over leggings work well. I got a few things from Topshop and the maternity range at Debenham's which were cheap and I wore them till they fell apart. A bump-band can keep the gap quite well covered too. Generally my thoughts on pregnant dressing:- - The type of clothes that suited you before will (roughly) still suit you now - I reckon it's harder to be a pregnant pear shape than a pregnant apple shape as all your good bits (tummy, bust, waist) disappear and the bad bits (ankles, hips) stay bad. Pregnant pears - show your shoulders and bust. Pregant apples - show your arms and ankles - Sorry about the guidelines on back alignment but high heels are cheering even if for short stints - as long as a pair of flats are stashed in your bag - Hurray for forumites who are selling their clothes 2nd hand! New clobber without the guilt.. 1st trimester- Wear normal clothes as long as you can and if you have any fat-day clothes they will be your friend - It's bad enough feeling sick and tired without looking it as well. Get a good concealer and put your make-up on even when you can't be arsed (I didn't do this, and felt really depressed when I saw my grey face in the mirror) 2nd trimester- really good pregnancy jeans are a fantastic investment - wear your bump with pride with fitted tops and dresses 3rd trimester- go for loose and floaty - yay for accessories - it's fun to be able to shop for something, I raided lots of the highstreet stores for big chunky necklaces. Even if you have to wear the same tiny wardrobe all the time, at least you can put different jewellery on!

Giggirl AND lb?? Hmm, that is tempting.

There is a special page for girls, Rosie. It's called 'Femail'. Do you see what they did there? Femail. Makes me chuckle.

OK, thanks, just checking.

So... are you saying that someone that offers their daughter a temporary position within a GP surgery rather than advertising the job is filth who should be given no quarter? Just checking whether that's a general or a specific statement.

Superg, have you considered whether your blood iron is low? As someone quite prone to being a bit anaemic, I know from experience how exhausted that can make one feel. If you think you might have low blood iron (v. common in later pregnancy), worth asking your GP to send you for a blood test up at King's. Best of luck and hope you feel better soon

Concubines? No, no, the Perfect Mother (as we've already established that I am) will instill in her impressionable son respect and fellow-feeling for women so his Empress will of course be a reigning consort..

jalapeno Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > And I shall commend myself on the excellent yet > infallible parenting bestowed on my daughter when > she sits next to the Emperor as the lady of the > throne, her majesty the Queen! Ooh, shall we introduce them? I do have to warn you that my son recently announced that he is already married to a very sweet little girl we know, hope you don't mind a spot of bigamy...

What a thoughtful post, Huggers - completely agree.

I have an i-phone for play, and a BlackBerry for work. I like to think it's like having a husband and a lover, except that my iphone and blackberry are quite happy in their dual roles and don't get jealous at all.

The day my son is democratically elected Emperor of the World with a sweeping majority having created peace and prosperity across the globe and credits me with his flawless upbringing in his witty yet humble acceptance speech, while simultaneously playing the banjo on a unicycle, I shall think 'Yes, I really did a great job as a mother'. Meanwhile, I'll just trog on and see whether I can remember to glue Buzz Lightyear's arms back on this evening, or just forget again.