Ginster

I'll probably be up for meeting next week if people are going. Sorry to miss today.

Wow! I am amazed to report we just got home to find the passport on the mat! Which means it arrived on Saturday, therefore it took 1 week! Thanks for all the feedback, it made me confident it would arrive in time just not this soon!! ;)

Thanks all. Got a txt today to say application received so that is good. Verification person not going on holiday and we used Post Office check and send, so fingers crossed we're looking at 2-3 weeks!

Hi all, I wanted to get an idea of possible turnaround time for this application - it got sent off on Friday. I keep hearing 6 weeks which seems quite long, I know mine sent off this time last year (name change so effectively new passport) didn't take that long. How long did yours take? We don't know if we can book a holiday or not (to get good price/availability) for 6-7 weeks time without the risk of not having the passport arrive in time! Not sure we can smuggle a 3 month old on in hand luggage! Thanks Ginster

We're up for that, see you 11.30. Ginny and Amber

Snap on Mon and it being a good idea.

Thx guys. At least 48 hrs ;(((( Cannula more painful than last time and first attempt failed. I'm a big baby!!!

Congrats Jen, was wondering when we'd hear your news! Annoyingly I'm about to be re admitted to Kings for IV antibiotics ;(( Just when we were settling at home. Amber has to be in too as I'm breastfeeding. Still at least lucky hubby gets some sleep!! So am most unlikely to make Mon now as wont be out til Mon at earliest. See you at the next one!!

And me

Ah wonderful! Congrats Philippa!! Lovely name and competition for Amber in snaring Prince George in 20 years ;)) And a Royal Coin for you too!! Def up for meeting and as we're walking distance could go as soon as we're up to it! We ~may~ get out today, fingers crossed for speedy and clear cultures!!! Ginny

Welcome Piumi! Congrats on the twins BBear!! Our daughter Amber is finally here! 8lbs3oz. 12 days late, started Mon night, after many different turns ended up with a c-section Weds morning so couldn't fully utilise the hypnobirthing unforch and couldn't try water birth as being monitored due to high BP! As they say, birth plans are just a piece of paper sometimes!! At least the end reward is worth it!! We'll be in Kings a while as Amber is on anti-biotics as poss swallowed stuff on exit. Shout if anyone else in here so I can say hi/come visit!! Then looking fwd to when I can make the next meet up. Ginny

Congrats Claire! Dylan kept you waiting!! I'm 4 days over now so still waiting! Good luck with your wait Nina - I've been given some lovely Olive and Moss bibs - small world to find out you're an ED bumps summer babies person too!

We had the young girl on Ondine Rd last week (seem to have done the whole road as saw her at other end much later on!) Luckily answered the door holding 2 full watering cans so managed to put her off saying we were happy with our security. I lived in Copleston for 8 years and never had door-to-door callers - seem to have them constantly on Ondine and it's getting really annoying now! Planning to answer the door on the phone if I don't recognise who it is in future!

Sorry to hear about your daughter's eczema. I just wanted to suggest something incase you haven't tried it. After just suffering a few isolated patches I randomly got eczema nearly all over me in 2000 and as well as trying dermatologist suggestions and steroids I also tried a few other alternatives, some more successful than others (for example Sudocreme just made it worse). I can't be sure if this is the one that helped the most but it was after using it that things completely cleared up (and there are also quite a few testimonials on their website). http://www.beewild.com/ Looking at the site they also have an infant version of the cream I got (I used the one in the green jar) Good luck and hope it clears up or improves soon!

Should work for me, have a mate round in the morning. Hopefully see some of you Weds!!

We got them too (in Ondine Rd) and while I loved the gesture they did go in the bin as you don't know where they've been! Pilsbury I'm also 9 months pregnant so that probably aided the bin decision! I'm sure we'll be negotiating buggies past each other soon, good luck!

Another recommendation for Hollie - she's lovely and the course is good and spread over a decent amount of sessions. Birth is imminent so I am hoping what we have learnt will soon be put into practice! We feel much more confident and looking forward to the birth and I think it really helps the partners to feel more involved and that they can really help out and make a difference.

I'm up for next week assuming bubba stays put as due on 12th.

I've done this in the past several times - last time was a fair few years ago though. I tended to get there for 5am or 6am and get in one of the 2 queues (no idea if there is a difference they just seem to go up from the entrance either way up/down the road) the officials then come around with wristbands (at least did the last few years) for centre or court 1. Once they've gone, it's just a ground ticket you can get (and could queue up for people putting in their tickets as they leave which you can usually buy with money going to charity). You have to be there in person - i.e. you can't ask for 2 if you're on your own - so if you're going with anyone they need to be there with you in the queue. I always used to go the first Weds or Thursday as you usually get to see some good names then. Note - believe there are always some tickets the evening beforehand on Ticketmaster for the next day? Haven't ever bought them from there but worth a try? Good luck!

The lap seatbelts that they give parents to secure toddlers to their seatbelt for take off and landing provided at least an hours entertainment for my nephew on a flight. Good luck!

Congrats Laura and now Sofia! See some of you at the drinks on Thurs - hubby may make it later, not sure as he has work drinks. Thanks for booking Jen! Mat leave starts on Monday - can't wait - then the countdown really begins! Ginny

20th works for me. Possibly Mr Ginster too if free and other Dads coming.

Yes thankfully fine. Seems baby has slightly higher heart rate and I was prob dehydrated a bit! Will drink much more water b4 next midwife appt!

Claire I'm in Kings too getting baby heart rate checked as a bit high. Might see u here. Hope all is ok re your checks. I'm supposed to be working from home today (hence wasn't coming to 3pm meet). See u guys at next one hopefully. Mat leave starts 25th

Hi werdna101, I had an issue with Knotweed last year when trying to sell my flat in Copleston Road (interestingly I was on the other side from the railway). I wasn't aware I had it until the survey was done by the buyer's mortgage company who somehow spotted it at back of garden (60ft from house) and refused to offer a mortgage on the flat. Much fun ensued... it was 50/50 on my land and neighbours and thankfully they agreed to pay half the removal/treatment fee. Buyers found a new (worse %age) mortgage so knocked money off their offer AND I had to pay my half of the treatment cost - fun times! I used TP Knotweed who were very good - lots of good write-ups online and they seem to be at the forefront on research and work into the plant. They offer a 5-year treatment plan (which I of course no longer have any involvement in, it was handed to the buyers). It means they treat, remove and will be available to re-treat if required in the next 5 years. It was enough for the buyers new mortgage company to accept thankfully! Per what others say - if you're right near a train line (that is where it is often rife I read) then definitely see if you can get anything out of National Rail as they should bear some of the cost! I'm amazed there isn't more known out there about this plant as I am sure so many people must just cut it down like any other plant they don't want and dispose of - when there are actually strict rules (and I believe fines) for not disposing of this properly. I had never heard of it until I had it. Good luck!