Belle

I can do Monday def. Will come post nap again so likely to be around half 3.

Do you reckon you could do the same thing with the patapum as it's pretyt much the same design? if so, would save me buying another sling next time around.

I think this is probably thanks to me disagreeing with you on the primary school places thread misticnutmeg, since you seem to have singled me out. if you read my post i was hungover rather than drunk and quite happy to admit it. I'd be very surprised to see any mums or dads come on here claiming to be perfect. I think it's quite helpful if parents admit their fallibility in fact...

oh dear I sympathise - it was my turn the morning after the family forum drinks a few weeks ago and ouch. At least I only had the one to run after. i say run after...mainly i lay weakly on the sofa and tried to stop him doing anything too dangerous.

misticnutmeg - quite a few people rent in this area for one thing (myself included). I think private school fees must be about 10k a year? We don't have that. Hence our interest in primary school allocations.

On the whole am v happy with DMC, esp the midwife service and I like Dr davidson who I always try and see. Have had a few bad experiences with locums there so would always try and see doctors I've seen before.

I think there is a fee at Buds now to put your name down. Can't quite remember how much - think it's a nominal amount but to reserve a place you do have to pay advance fees. I think so anyway - but could be wrong as I saw round in January and still haven't got round to sending the form back!

does anyone have any details for Little Bubbles? I'd be keen to try it out.

Misticnutmeg - I might be wrong, as not looked into it in great detail since we're a few years off primary age, but my understanding is that most schools around here, with a couple of exceptions are actually 'only' satisfactory by Ofsted standards, including some of the popular ones. So I don't think it's quite right that parents won't settle for satisfactory schools. i read all the posts about the primary school debacle last year and the overriding feeling from parents seemed to be frustration at being given schools which were far away from their homes, which makes life difficult on a practical level and also socially for kids who may have started nursery nearer, have friends nearer etc. I also think you're being quite antagonistic to Toast and your comments aren't very helpful. It's not as simple as just getting over it, and I would guess that those discussing this issue are looking for information on what's happening, not to be told to shut up about it.

the mamma mio range which Dr Boo sells (and also jojo maman bebe I think) is really nice and does t hings like a little travel/sample size set which my husband got me when i was pregnant - has tummy oil, shower stuff, a mini candle - I loved it.

check out free stuff (toiletries etc) and read the Book to check out what services th ey offer (don't know why as basically all the same - but did get a surprise when staying in a hotel in New York on honeymoon, their room service menu included 'pleasure boxes' which were like bento boxes but with sex toys instead of Japanese food).

yep, was good fun, def up for doing it again.

yep, just waiting for mine to wake up and then we'll be along too.

oh thanks for that! v helpful to hear. Did you have to avoid swimming/hair washing for a bit? sounds like v similar reasons to us for having it done, and am glad it's helped your little boy.

we have just a normal cot from JL with drop side and we've just had it replaced (after just over a year) because the drop side broke. To be honest I stopped using it when little one was quite small as though it saved my back I always found it a fiddle to do and esp if I did it AFTER I'd p ut him down, the noise would undo all our 'winding down' work pre sleep! Different when getting up of course. So I'd say if the cotbeds you like don't have it, you'll prob never miss it. must say i assumed cotbeds werent' worth it as would take up too much space and we'd need a single bed for him eventually but have changed my mind on reading this.

you could start laying books where he can easily see them and just flicking the pages now and again or sit there and do it talking him through the stories. I haven't found a toy that engages mine ever for longer than a few minutes to be honest. But at this age, i think it's ok not to entertain them every minute - though do realise you're asking about the times when he's bored - I used to (hopefully) assume that things like me doing yoga in front of him or putting a wash on would entertain him just as much as me sitting there playing with him constantly. One thing that did really help was we borrowed a bouncy chair that had a toy arch and vibrate. don't feel bad about going online when he's up - we all do it! And I too relied on that nap for showering etc but my baby has just about gone down to one nap now so need to get a new system! know you're not asking about activities but in case you haven't tried it, I found rhyme time at the library (11-11.30 on a Weds) was great around this age, and I learned loads of songs and rhymes I still use to calm him down/entertain him esp when changing nappy etc.

sb - what do you use in the bath now? We currently use oilatum for our little boy but no soap or anything.

We've not really had anything barring stair gates and the playpen which we separated so have one half in front of the fire (not used but big dirty grate thing he likes to pull out) and one half in front of the drinks cabinet (! he liked to pull out the bottles of whisky...). no door locks or corner thingys. He is a baby that's into everything so it's meant moving some stuff and also just being quite vigilant but I just never got round to getting all the other stuff and now figure we can do without.

i'm up for it - usually have a nap around 2 but might let him have it in buggy on the way up there. Mine is coming up to 15 months so will need amusement - thinking back wistfully to the days when I could h ave a coffee while he was in my arms. But have heard the Herne is good for outdoors play stuff. Have already confessed my age once on this forum which I think is enough!

i've never been and would be up for trying it, def.

Thanks for that - and I know there are risks, you're right - it's worth considering them of course. Thing is his eardrum has already perforated multiple times...and the doc explained the odds and they're pretty good in terms of the potential downsides. Also the doc said the effect on hearing, worst case scenario, would be one or two decibels whereas glue ear has a much more serious effect on hearing. Dulwichmum - thanks so much for your post, given your son was practically the same age as J when he had his first op, it's so reassuring to hear about your experience - particularly as we've been there with the tantrums, screaming and wrecked nights. Fingers crossed we get a similar outcome!

Just wondered if anyone else's child has had grometts (sp?) fitted? I know it's v straightforward and quite a common procedure - but my little boy is only 15 months. so though we have taken advice and considered it all and are def going ahead with them (to avoid countless more antibiotics - currently on 4th ear infection of the month!) - am a bit wobbly about thought of him going under etc. So, just wondering what others' experiences were, and if anyone else has had to have them fitted this young. The surgeon did say he's young to have them, but that's not something to be unduly worried about.

mockney - think as others say it's def an age thing, as in once they can move around it's much harder so def enjoy those lunches/drinks - I had lots of boozy lunches when my little one was that age...I'm hoping to venture to the Florence tomorrow to try out the baby room there which sounds like could cater for all ages really, and yes herne sounds nice with its outside space. or the Plough on a Friday. Haven't tried the latter two yet. I'd def be up for a pub outing next week.

the florence is a nice walk over to herne hill actually. have yet to try the playroom, really keen to though. also brockwell lido cafe has a box of toys so my little boy was able to have a bit of a crawl around (until an unfortunate incident involving a stumble, his teeth, and his top lip, OUCH! but obviously nothing to do with the surroundings!) and lovely food. and nice wine...

Moos - I think tomatoes are one of those things - I know at least five people who really cannot eat them. Which i find weird! But then, my husband refuses to eat mushrooms and I won't eat peppers, so we're no better really!