millsa

Enjoy meeting friends for lunches, tea and cakes as long as you can! It will stop the moment your baby starts moving around and you will really miss having a nice chat sitting down in a cafe while your baby is just laying in the pram :)

I understand what Smiler and poppy say and I would probably have similar concerns if I didn't know her well. I know that she will be very pleased with something from me. I did get a gift from her when I got pregnant and we also got lovely baby things after my son was born. thanks for the advice above - I wasn't planning on getting anything baby-related, pampering things seem like the best idea.

A colleague has just announced she is pregnant. She is not a friend (we don't go out after work etc) but someone I want to keep a good working relationship with. It took her ages to get pregnant and I'd like to buy her something nice to congratulate on the pregancy. I remember getting the 'What to expect when you are expecting' book and a range of 'Mum-to-be' products from Neil's Yard from my work colleagues which I really liked, so that's one idea (she wasn't there at the time so she wouldn't know). any other ideas most appreciated please!!! :)

I don't think so. The one on the photo isnt Techno XT anyway as there are two types (round and square looking hood, if it makes sense. techno xt has a square hood). I actually thought that recalling it in the US (and nowhere else) was a storm in a tea cup but maybe I am wrong? I have never ever had any problems with mine, and dont know anyone who has - and most of my friends have a maclaren.

We have a maclaren techno xt which reclines all the way and also has a hood that you can unzip and make it bigger to protect the baby from the sun or too much light (great when they are asleep in the buggy). You can also extend the seat a bit (which makes a nice foot rest). Note that not all techno xt models have these features so check before you buy. We travel on the plane a lot and the buggy has been brilliant, I can fold and unfold it with one hand while carrying my son. It is slightly heavier then other models of maclaren but I reckon it is worth buing this one if your baby sleeps in the buggy (even occasionally) because of the reclining seat and the hood. My son is 21 months and sleeps like a baby because the seat is flat and long when you extend it. Hope that helps, good luck!

sounds good. is it free (and free parking?)

maybe a silly question but I have been looking for nice brackets for a few shelves I need to put up, and they all look hideous. The brackets will be exposed and as the shelves are in our bedroom I need something simple but nice. Metal or wood, doesnt matter. any ideas?

I second Selma two posts above - it is always a surprise, and if you dont want to find out at the scan with other people around you can always ask them to write it on a piece of paper and open whenever you are ready. We did find out with baby1 as I was 100% sure I was carrying a girl and just wanted a confirmation, and of course it was a boy. Can't wait till next scan in May to find out with baby2 :)

I am looking for recommendations for a doube buggy. I see lots of Phil and Teds in ED but are they really that good, or there is just nothing better around? I always feel sorry for the child sitting at the back of P&T as I wonder how much can they see ( not much I reckon). And if P&T - what model??? And if not P&T - what instead? My son will be just over 2 wigth baby2 is born so I don't think I can get away with a buggy board only (am I right?) - but how old do they need to be to use just the buggy board? many thanks in advance!

I second Sanne Panne - pure simple olive oil worked best for me with bump no1 (my midwife recommended it), and I dont have any stretch marks and I was maaaaaaaaasive. I am only 16 weeks pregnant now but already look about 7 months and have been using olive oil again. We also use it every night after bathing my son, all over his body, and his skin is beautifully soft. Having said that I got a full range of MOTHER'S products by Neil's Yard as a good-bye present from work and I fell in love with their bump oil. Probably massaged the bump a few times a day because I loved the smell so much. A bit resistant to buy it now as very pricey, but it can be a nice present suggestion :) x

Our course in ED was great, but I reckon we all did it to make new mums friends rather than learn about labour :) All babies come out in the end, one way or another, but the friendships you make through NCT will last for ages, so go for it if you still can.

I know what you mean Lorraine, but fortunately our nct teacher advised us to take lots of snacks with us for the 4 hr session at Dulwich Hospital! LIke most above I have also found it quite unhelpful and hilarious in places (I reckon they have been playing that Scandinavian video since early 70-ties!). My no 2 is due in Sept but I already know I will not bother this time. x

indoor soft play with lots of climbing frames, and definitely a swimming pool with warn water, wave mahine, slides etc. Drives me mad when it rains and I am limited to a softplay in peckham

Hi Ladies, my son is 20 months and I am also free on Tue mornings as I have gone off going to the Copleston playgroup - all mums I used to know have gone back to work, and I am finding it hard to make new friends there, quite surprisingly :( Wed AM is good for me Pickle. Also I am stopping work on Thu from 1 April so happy to meet up then as well. Hope to see you all soon then! x

Oh Pickle you have just brought so so so many memories from Clapham... ;-)

Keef - it is great that guys like you benefit from it as well! To be honest I haven't thought that Dads read it - just somehow assumed it is all for Mums - so apologies for my recent post about enlarged breasts during pregnancy ;-)

I also love the Family Room :) Have met some really really nice Mums through it and generally feel 'nicely connected'. Hey!

like Fushia's twins mine poos more and sloppier the more fruit he eats, particularlt grapes and raisins. I think 6-7 is a lot but I have been deadling with 3-4 daily when he is on grapes and very ripe pears.

I knew it would happen! 16th is the only weekend in April I can't do as we are away Fri-Mon. Well... I will keep an eye on this thread and if anything changes re date, I will join you x

yes, due mid Sept, first son is 20 months now, and very happy to meet up - was going to suggest it as well :) I was only worried because I didn't experience any pain not changes in size with baby1. The only consolation might be that I must be size DD now ;-)

I think I am just too old for clapham... Would be up for something local, the mag maybe? I would suggest green and blue but have not been treated nicely by staff a few times recently (they made it clear we were not welcome with babies) so I'd vote for the Mag.

hey, I am also 14 weeks with my second. I haven't had the rusty pipe syndrome (and yes, no offense but it sounds hilarious) but I also have a question re breasts... mine are so ridiculously sensitive I can't even sleep on my side as any contact with anything (I mean breasts touching anything) causes me a lot of pain. And it is proper pain, very sharp and unpleasant. even putting a bra on is painful :( I didnt have that with baby1 and am worried I will have to get it checked, although it seems a bit over the top. Is it?... When is it going to end? Hope it is nothing serious sanity girl, and the doctor will reassure you soon! best wishes x

hi Molly I can lend you ours, have PMed you with my details, cheers

I think the list at Camberwell Grove Early Years Centre is that long only for small babies, because we were offered a place there after 15 months (when my son was just over 1). I had to refuse it because my work arrangements have changed so I wouldn't be able to say anything about the place (apart from the fact that I have seen about 10 nurseries in ED area and that one was the only one I felt welcome, and I felt that my baby will be happy there). But Lorraine is right - 4th on the list is not bad! good luck!

My son is going through a stage of constantly repeating 'mummy, daddy' and pointing at us at the same time. I have been adding 'baby' and pointing to my tummy. Today we had friends visiting with a baby. My son did it usual 'mummy daddy' but when I said 'where is the baby?' he pointed at my friend's baby straight away with a cheeky smile. And I can swear he did stick his tounge out at me! :)