supergolden88

So after 5 1/2 years of buying girlie toys and clothes and everything pink I now have to buy Christmas present(s) for my little boy who will be 13m. Despite being surrounded by an assortment of dolls, cuddly toys, doll houses etc. he only plays with cars and anything car related and other very boyish toys Any ideas what to get him for Christmas? I dont want to go crazy as he still very young but would like to get him one 'big'present that he will enjoy. We have a brio train set (his sisters) which he plays with but not much else

Thanks for input everyone. I have applied for two jobs today and am now playing the waiting game to see if I get shortlisted. Then I guess I will worry about the interview if there is one! Baby spent about two hours at the childminder for the first time today and he seemed in good spirits when I picked him up so fingers crossed that goes well. I explained the situation to the childminder and she was very understanding so we'll play it by ear for now. Meantime if I ever free time I may do bit of shopping to have an outfit on standby just in case!

Mellors how much are you spending on your nanny per day? If you feel you want to disclose that. I dont think I could afford it even with a good job (publishing jobs don't pay all that well). I wish a suit would sort me out but it's too dressy for my kind of work.

hey Polly thanks for the post. Portfolio crisis I can deal with (lets get an interview first). Was thinking a presentation on the ipad and copies of best books/mags. Cant bring too many or will have to bring a suitcase. Must update website... I think I will have to come clean about the childcare at some point. Not first thing perhaps but if they ask 'are you prepared to work long hours' etc I won't lie. It has cost me jobs in the past. More than one. Nursery would be fabulous but I am in Nunhead and alhtough baby has been on ColourBox waiting list since 4 months he still hasn't a space. I would not think Asquith or any others have full time spaces last minute. My question still applies to all working mums though. I assume you have to leave bit early to do pick ups? Do you all have some sort of flexi time in place?

I should be doing work right now but this is really crowding my brain so I thought I would post here and get it all out. Hopefully get some insight too. I started freelancing when my daughter started nursery about four years ago - she was 10 months. I am a book and magazine designer and so far it has been a mix of working from home and doing part-time in-house work. This has worked very well overall and although it has been hard it's also been fairly profitable. When my son was born 10 months ago I decided to continue freelancing without a 'maternity' break and again this has not been easy but I was doing pretty regular work throughout. Just as he was about to start settling at a childminder I heard that my biggest client will no longer be commissioning freelancers. This is a pretty big blow and now I am trying to get more freelance work from elsewhere but I also have to consider applying for an office job. A couple of opportunities came up straight away and this has sent me in a bit of a tailspin. A. Baby has not even started at childminder. He may not like it or take a while to settle and most of all it's only 3 days a week. If somehow I get offered a full time job I will need full time childcare PDQ. Have asked around all other childminders can only offer part time as well. B. Applying for new jobs. Even though I am qualified and experienced I feel very very insecure and thought of an interview terrifies me. I have nothing suitable to wear. I feel frumpy. I have baby brain. I have no portfolio to speak of and no time to prepare one. I am very rusty when it comes to office politics. MOST of all. If I go to an interview and it's all going great how am I going to bring up the fact that every day of the week I will have to leave early (4.30ish) in order to come home in time to pick up my son? Even if I employed a full time nanny the latest I could stay at the office would be 5pm. How do people do this? Do all employers just hire men, single women or mums with older children? Arghhhhhhh!

Well have now found him on his front a couple more times. He has a cold so not sure it helps him breathe better - the snoring is horrible. I hope he starts liking this position!

yes trouble is when putting him down that way he immediately raises his body up into crawling position even when sleepy. Will give it another try but I guess being put down on his back is what he is used to

My son has been going through major sleep regression lately. He used to sleep through the night after a bit of sleep training at 5ish months (which was painful but worked very quickly). He then slipped back a couple of times due to illness etc. Recently though at 9 months he went through a major teething phase (3 new teeth in couple of weeks) which coincided with a holiday abroad. His sleep habits became worse than ever. Anyway, long story short, this morning I was amazed to sleep past 6am and shocked to find baby still asleep at 7am even after rest of us got up. When I went to check on him I realised why. He was sleeping on his front. He frequently gets into crawling position in bed which usually ends in tear so somehow he stayed this way. Anyone try to actively put their babies down that way? I know the advise is against it but he is 10 months and can turn that way himself.

Ella's pouches are good when all other food is refused. Whenever my boy goes on food strike it's always due to teething. He also spits up/throws up more when he is teething. I end up offering more milk because sometimes no other food goes in. You could also try liquidising some banana and milk or fromage frais and offering it as a drink - mine likes to slurp it through a straw. THis too shall pass but it is very frustrating

hmmm there was a blog entry some time ago about a mum having to throw out all her expressed milk at the airport. Wish I could find it but have work to do! It was awful - that mum was bottle feeding her baby but only with EBM and she had to throw out a few bottles worth. I guess it sort of depends on the people checking

I will bring one formula carton with me in case I end up with someone nice checking but hope to be able to buy some after the checks. As he is still breastfeeding I will not worry too much about it. I think I may bring some food pouches but keep it to a minimum. It's only a 3-4 hour flight but dinnertime will be on air... Yikes. I HATE flying anyway so I expect to be a bundle of nerves and my poor husband having to entertain a 5 year old and a 9 month old. Millsa we are flying later that day so we wont cross paths but hope you are going somewhere nice!

We are flyting to Greece on Sunday. I would like to have a small carton (200ml) of formula with me on the flight. I know flight allowance is 100ml only so they may well not allow it. I have the boobs on standby but baby only has one feed a day so may not be enough for him. Do the Boots after duty free in Gatwick have any for sale? And do you know if restrictions apply to pouches of baby food (ellas etc) thanks!

Any product suggestions? Again a last minute thought!

thanks everyone I think I need to make a trip to Soup Dragon... and if I can find some sandals for me somewhere along the way well that's just gravy

Have left it a bit late as going away on Sunday... is there anywhere in ED that sells swimwear (bodysuit or boy swim shorts??) for 9 month old boy. Would Soup Dragon or Jojo have something? I haven't visited either shop in a long time. Normally would go to Mothercare but want to avoid going to/through Peckham.

I was wondering same thing - what's the best floating device for a baby 9 months? Inflatable wings seem fine on toddlers...

Going on holiday in a couple of weeks visiting my family in Greece. We will be swimming in the sea weather permitting. Baby boy has never been swimming before (various colds etc prevented us from ever going to the pool) was wondering what's best as floating/swim aid. My daughter wears inflatable water wings but think they will be too bulky on baby and possibly agravate his sensitive eczema prone skin. Any ideas what to get and where from? thanks!

I have been through the same thing with my boy - was worse when he was younger but at nearly 9 months we still struggle with it. Small nasal passages have been blamed but I am starting to think that maybe he's got asthma or is on his way to having it (am obviously hoping he doesn't). We were given an inhaler to try and see if it makes a difference but not due to blocked nose but persistent cough Check if any irritants are making matters worse (cat hair, dust etc). The plug ins in my opinion do nothing. Olbas on a tissue is more effective as is a humidifier in the room (make sure you clean it regularly) I feel for you I really do

Is there anywhere local where I can get a haircut - new style my hair is long and blah- and my 5 year old can have her fringe and long hair trimmed? I used to go to Willis B but have not had great experiences lately. Oh and it has to be a weekend appointment thanks everyone

mmmmmmm John Krasinski..... sorry (sigh) totally off topic!

Baby has had a couple of very watery/greeny/smelly poos but so far is showing no other symptoms and still eating ok (knock on wood etc.). I know there's a nasty vomiting/diarrhoea bug going round I am just praying it's not that... I remember as a child my mother gave me plain sticky rice. Any ideas for baby nearly 9 months?

My daughter's holiday scheme is planning a trip to Legoland this week. She is 5 but rather petite. Are there restrictions in place (height/age etc)? Do you think it would be something she would enjoy? My guess is yes yes yes....

hmmm no tummy problems (so far! Fingers crossed) and cant see sores in mouth or rash. So perhaps another virus altogether. He is better at least no fever but still cranky and waking up a lot in the night. There is a very nasty vomiting bug making the rounds and I have had a bit of a sore throat for few days... It never ends! I think some of the bad mood may be due to him really wanting to crawl but not being able to. And some is certainly due to being bored being stuck home with mummy

The more I look at the symptoms the more I think it is hand, foot and mouth disease. No blisters or rash however. He is still very unhappy and uncomfortable and drooling like mad. Has anyone had this before?

No rash anywhere. They checked his ears this morning and said they were fine. He slept for about an hour on the breast (after an hour and half trying to convince him to take it) and now is completely awake and acting very hyper. No fever at the moment had nurofen at 7.30