LollyED

Hey - we have just had some great photos of newborn and toddler taken with Sara Jane at shutterbaby - she also fit me in at quite late notice.

Hi there, I know there are lots of posts on primary schools but I can't find any where parents give feedback on the pros and cons of their experiences of either Ivydale or JS. Can anyone help? Thanks, L

Hi there, I know there are lots of posts on primary schools but I can't find any where parents give feedback on the pros and cons of their experiences of either Ivydale or JS. Can anyone help? Thanks, L

Hey all, Excited to meet up and make some more mummy friends in the area. Due with my second on 12 Feb and quite over-whelmed at the thought of doing it all again! I can't make the 26 September but will get on board for the next meet up and think an evening drink is a good shout too. Just putting some October dates out for a little drinkie in the East Dulwich Tavern? What about the week of 19th October? Say an 8pm meet on Tuesday 20 October? Let me know if it suits and I can reserve a table. Also if anyone is doing any good preggo exercise classes in the local area can you let me know! Thanks, Lou

Hey - another recommendation for Richard. He pretty much painted our entire house whilst we were away on holiday. We trusted him with our key, the job was done perfectly and the house was immaculate when we returned. He also lets you know when he thinks something is a bad idea which is really helpful when you're an interior decorating novice! Would highly recommend him - his prices are competitive and he is a really lovely man. As an aside, we got in touch with Richard because friends in West Dulwich used him for decorating their period property. He also did a wonderful job for them, which I see every time I pop round for a cup of tea in their beautifully decorated kitchen! Louise

Hi there - realise that this group is a little dormant these days but just wondered if anyone was looking for a nanny share if they have now gone back to work? We have a truly wonderful nanny who has exceeded our expectations over the last 5 months but we are now looking to share her with another family so that our son can develop with a play-mate and we can share the cost. Our nanny works for us on Thursdays and Fridays so this would be ideal for anyone who only wants to work part-time or perhaps mix their child-care options (I.e. Part time nursery, part time nanny share). If this sounds like something that could work please PM me for further details, Thanks, Louise

Thanks everyone - really helpful. Didn't realise this was so common. Funny how such a small thing can really effect you. It's ruins your community spirit when your car gets keyed and petrol is repeatedly stolen from your bike. Sad and incredibly irritating!

Hi - has anyone else been experiencing petrol theft? My scooter (Vespa), which I keep outside my house in Nunhead, has been repeatedly targeted. I recently had a security device fitted over the petrol tap to try to deter thieves but last night someone smashed it off and stole the petrol. I rely on my scooter to commute to work so am finding this petty theft fairly annoying. Anyone got any suggestions? I've reported it to the police but other than giving me a crime reference number and sending scouts out to my local area as a general measure they are unlikely to be able to assist. I'm thinking about getting CCTV. Just all so irritating! Thanks, Louise

Hi Kayla - I read a hypnobirthing book and did a course with Hollie (above). I found the course to be a positive experience beyond the book. Practical things such as how to do the breathing exercises and how to try to get into the hypnobirthing "zone" we're massively illuminated by the course in a way that I don't think you could achieve by a book alone. Hypnobirthing helped me give birth because it gave me some control in an otherwise free-falling situation. I was able to labour at home for the majority of my son's birth which was what I hoped to achieve. When I got to hospital I was nearly fully dilated and 4 hours later I had a son. I don't think it's magic - I was not hypnotised - and I was unable to achieve a completely pain-free birth as is suggested on some of the hypnobirthing videos. I think if you're destined for a difficult birth and/or a c-section then probably HB won't be able to stop that. For me it was simply a way of being able to focus on something else and to stay calm so that my body could do its stuff. I was hugely surprised by how easily I could cope with the contractions (or surges!) at home - it only got tough right at the end (my son was back to back and forceps were required). Hope this helps. I'm a wuss and a cynic but I am also a giant control freak and would thoroughly recommend HB if you're a person who likes to be prepared!

Hey all, Anyone keen to meet tomorrow? I would be up for a cup of tea before power-pramming at 12.30! Also Ginny - these are the baby swimming classes I was talking about: http://www.babyswimming.co.uk/pools/hernehill.html http://www.littledippers.co.uk/courses.about.locations.php We're signed up to do the Little Dippers course at Guys Hospital nr London Bridge starting on 5 November. Timing worked better for us than any of the Herne Hill classes in the end. Lou (and Bobby)

Hey - is anyone able to make it today? Lou & Bobby

Sorry to have missed Monday - will defo get there next week. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Lou & Bobby

Hey - so yeah I have tickets to see About Time - am going with a friend who had a baby last week (she may therefore pull out!) but see you there Ginny (any anyone else who fancies it!). Power-pramming was really fun actually. I've only done it once but am up for doing it on Monday after the meet up if anyone else is keen. Also - just to report back - I went to mum and baby zumba today at Push Studios - was a real work out (I did not look pretty!) and i'm trying the post natal pilates class tomorrow. Just thought i'd say in case anyone had the urge to come join! Lou (and Bobby)

Hey - just wondered whether anyone fancied going to the baby and cinema club at the Ritzy on Friday? It's at 11am and they are showing the new Richard Curtis romcom "About Time" - the mum and baby club is aptly called "the Big Scream" and it basically means people can take their babas to the cinema. Check it out here: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Ritzy_Picturehouse/Whats_On/Clubs_Groups/Big_Scream/ Give me a shout if anyone's keen, Lou (and Bobby)

Hi - I would be keen to meet tomorrow. Was thinking of doing power-pramming after the Summer club meet (it starts at 12:30pm from Peckham Rye cafe). So 11.30pm at the cafe and then power-pramming for anyone that fancies it? http://www.powerpramming.co.uk Lou

Congrats everyone on your new arrivals and Ginny thinking of you - hope you get out soonest. Bobby and I should be able to make Monday. Looking forward to it. Quick question - about to get to six weeks post-birth and thinking of starting to do some exercise. Seems like there's loads of mum/baby exercise classes in the area, not to mention something called power-pramming(?!) - but can anyone recommend anything? Trying to decide what to attempt! Thx, Lou

Hi all, sorry for radio silence but our son, Bobby turned up 20 mins before his due date. Impressed with his punctuality. We have been dealing with a few breast feeding issues ever since but after a bout of mastitis we now seem to have turned a corner. Nasty business! Up for a picnic meeting if Bobby consents! Don't actually know where the cafe in peckham rye park is but am sure i'll find it. Lou x

Hey all - will hopefully make it tomorrow eve (and will bring my husband if he can get out of work). Is it 7pm EDT? Just had a pregnancy massage at Therapy on Melbourne Grove - so wonderful (mainly because you get to lie on your stomach - on the special pregnancy bed - for a whole hour - bliss!) Lou x

Hi all - mat leave starts next week for me - anyone up for a cup of tea let me know. Thanks, Lou

Ah Jules - amazing news. Was waiting to hear how that all went. CONGRATS! And glad the tiny clothes came in handy! xx

Yep keen to join. Thanks again for organising xx

Hi all - sorry I missed tuesday due to work stuff. I also can't make Sunday. Will keep an eye out for the next meet...

I can make the 19th (unless something crazy happens at work) - thanks for organising. I am booked on the NCT class at Maria Pinter's house in Herne Hill on 3 and 4 of May. We thought we'd just hit it hard for two days, hopefully learn something and make some friends (bonding through shock no doubt - I hear these classes are quite graphic!) Geez saw this today - definitely something to avoid! - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/mar/07/baby-born-on-london-commuter-train See you all soon, Lou

Hey - thanks for organising the FB group Jenny - I will check out my privacy settings and then sign up. I'm due in June so would be up for a smaller meeting (as well as a repeat of the full summer babies club meet) - I found the whole thing pretty useful as I don't know many mums-to-be! Thanks, Lou

Claire - thank you for telling us. It is important for everyone to remember that these terribly sad things can happen and that sometimes it's just not meant to be. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Louise xxx