Belle

I used to love the Katie Morag books (Marie Hedderwick) and recently bought some for my 4 year old goddaughter. If she hasn't already discovered them, the Milly Molly Mandy books are fab for that age too. If she likes ballet, does she do lessons - maybe a new bag for her shoes? Or a ballet-themed book?

My son is loving Oak Tree - i liked them both on looking around and only chose Oak Tree on proximity and also knowing someone's child there who is very happy. however BUDS has better outdoor space, and again lots of good recommendations on here. I think BUDS is only term time, whereas Oak Tree is open all year except 2 weeks in Aug and at Xmas. Do you know children at either? as i found it did help that my son knew someone already there.

Ha ha, know what you mean re packhorse, I've felt like that as my change bag is a rucksack. Also find I rely on e.g. hood of buggy to pop things in when I'm walking around.

This is v interesting - do like the idea of a sling that you can use from birth and has the facing out option (though take on board the caveats). Though personally i do rely on the buggy for longer periods out of the house, when my son was smaller I did find it a bit much having him 'on' me all the time if we went out with just the sling, but that's probably because he was such a wriggler! To the OP, I bought a patapum (similarish to ergo but cheaper) when my son got too heavy for the bjorn, was perfect for the kind of situation you describe, and e.g. when he was ill and needing cuddles, I'd use it to carry him to the doctor's.

I like bonnie too, lovely - more importantly, well done rahrahrah & many congratulations!

oh yes sorry, meant to say it's wednesday at dulwich library for rhyme time. i think poss Tues at Grove Vale but wd need to c heck. All free!

We were on CP alert recently as went on hols with a little girl who'd been exposed, as it happened neither child got it but I found this thread by the nappy Lady (thanks TNL!) useful for buying up supplies before we went: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,621898,621898#msg-621898 I do hear great things about eurax cream.

rhyme time (11am at Dulwich Library) is perfect for that age, we went weekly up to about 7/8 mths, didn't find it conducive to a mobile baby so pretty much stopped after that. It's great as you relearn loads of the old songs/nursery rhymes which you can then use to calm your little one down/entertain them.

Sunlover - it's true, but what's also true is the humour in which it's written. There are LOADS of funny moments.

When my son has had v high temps with ear infections, we had him in just a nappy, and minimal clothing if we had to go out. Likewise at night, when he'd get very hot, sometimes just a nappy and the thinnest grobag you can get (0.5 tog) or sometimes no grobag and just a little all in one vest. we'd checkc on him regularly to make sure we'd got it right as his temp would fluctuate at night and so sometimes as I went to bed I'd drape a thin blanket over him if I th ought he was cooling off. Agree re juice, and I gave smoothies too when he wouldn't take water.

Out of interest Moos, what is sleep counselling?

I think it's a question of individual attitudes/tolerances. I have a friend who was v happy for the first six months not to have a fixed bedtime for her son,w hich meant he was up with them all evening - but was a v chilled baby, so no trouble, and it meant he slept late in the mornings. It worked for her and I never dreamt of criticising. However for us, having evenings to ourselves + decent stretches of sleep ( know these are different issues) were really important as we are both (me and husband) terrible on sleep deprivation, to the point where it majorly affected my mood. We didn't have to do sleep training as we were fortunate in that respect, at least in the first year, but I suspect if the new baby is a difficult sleeper, we may consider it at an appropriate age - IF it feels right. I don't see anything wrong with extended night feeding if that's what suits parents and baby, many of my friends do/did this and I just admire their ability to cope with it and still be cheerful people next day, I don't have that quality :-S .

agree about the protesting too much. At the very least it's a holiday for most and a lot of people in a good mood, can't be all bad.

I agree Moos. Am not keen on monarchy per se, but love a good wedding :) and also loving all the dresses, so did enjoy watching. WAsn't straightforward viewing with a frustrated 2 year old who thinks the telly is for CBeebies or Toy Story though, cue early nap for him...

I have one like that... he actually goes to a nursery with limited outside space, but it's enough for him and it's v play orientated so am happy that he's not being pushed into sitting at table/doing things when he's not inclined.

Hmm I'm pondering this and potty training at the moment - currently looks like we're exactly on course to do both at worst possible time i.e. shortly before/after baby arrives, simply because J seems like he will be ready for both quite soon. Like the idea of perhaps buying a cotbed for the older child to prolong their time in a contained bed, but then wonder if that's ultimately an unecessary expense, suppose a second hand/ikea type cot for second child might be a more economical way. I'd say with Seb you still have plenty time to wait till baby ready for a cot, sounds like waiting till nearly 3 is an excellent idea, I do esp worry (with J) about him getting up to go and 'visit' the new baby!

Yes agree it's a bit unfair on the child with the middle name which is purely for a joke, though guess better than having a silly first name. I think I read somewhere that 'Delete' is a first name now. Why/how?!

Just ran through what I thought were our boys names contenders with husband - turns out he only actually likes one of them! Better start thinking of more...

Yes snowboarder that's the bk I meant! Danger middle name - friend of friend just did this, wonder if it's the same one?!

Sorrel is lovely...I read a book as a child with a Sorrel in it, have always liked it since then. Also like Seren. And Romy/Rosemary. None of these my husband likes! I love Rory - am Scottish so particularly liking Scottish boys names at the moment. Although not Gordon...

I machine wash all my wool (and have quite a lot of cashmere as am from woolen mill country in Scotland) on the handwash setting in the machine. I would say with the really fine cashmere cardies that are well worn, they do look the worse for wear but that would prob be the case even if I handwashed them, it's more that I'm wearing them a lot. All my baby stuff that was wool has washed fine. Think the vest would be cute over a long sleeved vest and with leggings/tights, would def buy. Not a masculine pattern at all! Do keep us posted on details of the stall as wouldn't want to miss it.

Amydown - you could prob improvise by holding potty up if your little boy wants to stand to pee - I think someone on here was saying that is often easiest? Must admit am a bit confused as to whether to encourage mine to sit down/stand up, so am just kind of seeing what he does.

I'm thinking of getting one of those toilet trainer seats as son not wild about potty but when we try on the loo it's clearly uncomfortable. ikea step stool thing looks fab - if you can't get out there, I've seen John Lewis do a budget one for ?3.99 I think it is.

Wow Mrs TP that sounds like a v positive experience - but interesting as my HVs don't do home visits, or at least it's never been offered and I have never ever heard from mine directly apart from the first visit at 10 or so days old, when they dropped off the red book and a leaflet about PND, and some vitamin drops. I don't really understand the inconsistency of the service.

bluesuperted - i love old testament names too, and ironically my husband who actually is Jewish, has vetoed most of them. My fave is Elijah but he's said no.