gnulover

Was in Dulwich Park cafe yesterday when the lovely Minnie Driver was spotted on the table opposite me. Was enjoying the sun withh her little boy Harry and some friends. Loved her in The Riches!!

With my first I had a great pregnancy and didn't see any point in leaving work early. Had planned on finishing work on the Friday with my due date being the Monday. Little one had a different idea and came a week early so was expected in work the day after I gave birth (of course I didn't go). With the second I thought I would give myself a bit more time but of course when you already have one you don't really get any time to yourself anyway and thought 2 weeks would be enough. I felt really tired towards the end (dealing with a 2yr old really saps your strength). However life intervened again and I managed to fall off my Vespa at 34 weeks (no lectures please) and broke my arm so was signed off work to heal and then went straight into maternity. In an odd way I am really glad it happened as I had time to sit down and relax and enjoy a bit of me time before number 2 destroyed our peaceful house for ever! But as most people say it is very personal and depends on how you are feeling in your pregnancy. You will double in size in the last month so one day you think things are going fine and the next day you wake up and you've doubled in size and you can no longer get out of bed without a winch system! Jx

We used www.totstofrance.co.uk last year and are going again this summer. Have places all over France (although they do seem to be very popular over the summer months so you may be out of luck this year). Great because you don't have to take all the usual stuff you carry - they supply cots, bed guards, baby baths, high chairs, monitors, sterilisers, blenders, stair gates, toys, etc and most places also have outdoor equipment to keep them busy - swings, sand pits, wendy houses. We took our 6 month old and 3 year old last year and had everything we would need (although we still managed to fill the car to the rafters!) Jx

Hi, my son has autism and although we haven't used a private S&LT there is a lady called Tina who runs a session called Babble and Squeak at the Mag as a drop in on Friday mornings. You could pop and see her and ask her about private therapy (I know she does it). Their website is www.babbleandsqueak.com or you can email them at [email protected]. I went along to Townley road initially as there is a S&LT there who can assess him and refer him to the pre school department. Not sure what day it is so call and find out. If you are around on Wed there is an autism support group that meets at the Mag on the last wed of every month from 7.30 and you should come along Jx

It's so funny how you start out without children thinking a certain number is perfect. Mine was 4 - OH an only child and sounded quite lonely. I'm one of two and we don't get on. 3 always thought one would be left out so 4 seemed to be the best number all round. 2 children later and I can't think of anything worse than having another baby. 1 was a doddle in hindsight! Two exhausting. And then No 1 got diagnosed with autism which is a whole other challenge in itself so feels like we have 4 children sometimes. Also don't like the idea of being outnumbered as parents. Hard enough keeping them out of the middle of the road or heading for that really fast roundabout/swing at the playground!!

Hey Lorraine, when will the playgroup start up. I have found it really difficult to find a playgroup to take both kids to so will be good to be able to bring them both along Jx

I find the Herne is great for those on the move. You can sit out in the garden or in the conservatory and watch the kids run round in the garden and on the massive wooden climbing frame/slide structure they have. You can almost forget you have children!

I used www.totstofrance.co.uk. Not sure that October will be a good time to be in France but a great website for your next adventure. They also do Italy (www.totstoitaly.co.uk). We had a great holiday with our nearly 3 year old and 9 month old in June. Proper cots, high chairs, sterilisers, monitors, toys, stair gates, games, slides, wendy houses, chickens (went down a storm), pool, etc. And babysitting (for a fee) so we got to go out for dinner a few times without them.

Wow, we are a resourceful bunch! I must admit I think I have the perfect solution (except in the winter). I managed to change my role to a jobshare when I went back after my first child. So I now work 7am - 2pm as a secretary in the City. Managed to keep my salary as I still do a full 7 hour day and because I job share I never get caught at work late. The mornings can be a bit brutal when it is cold and dark (especially as I scooter into work) but I know that when the kids go to school I will be able to pick them up and find out all about their day (dropping them off is not as satisfying!). Unfortunately because of my hours we only had one choice of childcare which was a live in au pair. Not to everyone's taste but we have loved it - especially as they are around to babysit most nights so you also get a bit of your social life back when you are not falling asleep in your dinner. I am due to go back to work in 3 weeks after my second and we have just hired another au pair and I think it works really well for us. I also liked the 1-1 care they got and didn't put gnu1 into nursery until he was 2 and plan to do the same with gnu2. Have to admit am less enthusiastic about going back to work this time but am definitely not a full time stay at home mum but it's really nice to see them every day but share the pressures of that day. Makes the tantrums seem bearable when they are only for half the day!! Good luck with your decision and if you decide to do some baby franchise stuff I look forward to coming along! Jx

FelicityNormal Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > char1ie Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Just had a visit from the police to take > details > > of the con woman. They advise that if she > knocks > > on your door you should dial 999. They are > > actively looking for her. She is currently > > targeting Glengarry, Trossachs, Tarbert Roads > > apparently. > > > > Charlie > > > They can't be looking very hard, ROFLMAO. She's > reportedly already been arrested and prosecuted in > the past, she is 'known' to police, she is very > very active and yet the police can't find her! > LMAO! Maybe they lost her address.