lorraineliyanage

Another vote for Lorenzo, he's done two sets of gorgeous, natural photos of my daughter. In fact, I should check in with him soon to get some more done. PM me if you want to see any of the pics. http://www.lorenzophotography.co.uk/kids.php

jayd - the Cath Kidston one is gorgeous. I'm not a big fan of the 'yummy mummy' label so have never been keen on those ones :P

I got this one because it doesn't look much like a changing bag. Am just about to list it in the Classifieds section too :) http://www.babygoshop.co.uk/storksak-emily-changing-bag-pewter.html http://www.babygoshop.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/S/t/Storksak_Emily_Pewter.jpg

There are many middle class families in the local area who are not white and also are not privilege to the benefits of SureStart, Leapers etc. It seems to be presumed that anyone ethnic is working class and therefore benefitting from the local children's services. I personally find many comments on the forum very narrow-minded and can't help but think that many parents will be passing on these same views to their children. Surely it can't have slipped your notice that London is a highly diverse and multicultural society?

helena, where is the statistical data to back up the claims that "white middle class woman don't have family near"? I know plenty of people (middle class and of varying ethnicity because that is entirely possible in this day and age) who have family near and not so near who do everything they can to help out with their grandchildren. Edited to add that as a teacher, I have many pupils whose grandparents bring them weekly to their lessons so they obviously have a network of family members to help out. My mother also looks after my daughter 2 days a week and several friends have sisters or mothers helping out with childcare.

I can do next Wednesday - Bread of Life cafe or library again?

ok if we get a 6.30 start instead of 5.30 then I'm all for it! Now just need to keep the nipper awake for the extra hour at bedtime...

I didn't do the breastfeeding workshop because the thought of sitting still for 4 hours and not being able to scoff my face was enough to put me off. Pregnant ladies need snacks! The Peckham Library breastfeeding cafe is great if you need help.

Somebody (I'm not sure who, but I'll go bonkers at them when I remember) told me they went forward yesterday, so I was thinking we'd done quite well to get through it, ha!

argh i thought they had already gone forward yesterday. oh no, that means i'll be up at 5.45 - flippin heck! am watching this post keenly for tips!

Larmer Tree is fantastic and very child-friendly: http://www.larmertreefestival.co.uk/ Has a slight beardy vibe to it but no yoghurt-weaving stuff

happy to meet up this tuesday, millsa, let me know where

Hi Pickle, that sounds good, let's definitely pencil something in when you are back. I need something on Tuesday AMs to fill the gap since there's no Leapers anymore!

Hi Kate, my daughter is nearly 18 months, we're free on Tuesday mornings, all day Thursday and weekends

Foof is our word Minky always makes me think of those things you fill up with washing liquid to scrub your pans with.

Another recommendation for Lorenzo, he's done two sets of amazing pics of our family and baby. PM me if you want to see the photos. He took the first set around 2 weeks, then the next one around 1 year. www.lorenzophotography.co.uk

The shea butter lady on Saturdays at Northcross is fantastic, perfect for moisturing your bump. Healthmatters have some good creams too, btu shea butter probably works out cheaper. I used to melt this and then baste myself in it - pretty much worked as my bump got massive but only got a few tiny stretchmarks

I think i can do the 16th

how about tempura veg? i tried these out on my little one at a japanese restaurant and she scoffed the lot. i'm certainly a big fan of anything in batter!

that's a great link, Molly!

I'm not sure of the guidelines but I think my daughter was drinking about 80 or 90mls around that age

infant probiotics are also good to get their stomachs back to normal, you can buy it from healthmatters on lordship lane

no problem, i'll be down there as soon as it opens again!

Supposed to reopen in the Summer, check out the council webpage, no date fixed for it yet. Hope it opens again soon, Tiny Gym is great! http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/Camberwell_Leisure_Centre

mini quiches are great as anything with cheese is a winner. i put sweetcorn in them and grated courgette. here's the recipe i use, but ignore the gluten-free bit if that's not relevant to you, i use shop-bought shortcrust pastry http://www.annabelkarmel.com/recipes/gluten-free/cheesy-mini-quiches