dullified

I like pretending I'm a girl when I post in the family room even though I'm not. And even more disturbingly I don't have kids. Ha-ha-ha only kidding. I guess the point is I like not knowing what gender posters are. So my answer is 'not saying'!

?We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly? Sam Keen American Philiopsher And anything from the mouth of Homer Simpson... "When will I learn? The answers to life's problems aren't at the bottom of a bottle - they're on TV!" "Ah, beer. The cause of and the solution to all of life's problems." "I don't hate your mother, I just won't be sad when she dies."

Congratulations! I haven't read it myself (and I certainly don't have triplets) but a friend recommened this book apparently it's a good read for any new/expectant parents. Extreme Motherhood: The Triplet Diaries by Judy Clune. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Extreme-Motherhood-Triplet-Jackie-Clune/dp/0330442511/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293026847&sr=1-1 Not sure how she found the time to write it!

Congratulations Ruth (it's ok I'm not possesive about threads and I love hearing new baby news)! I did try a baby walker when he was younger but he just leaned forward in it. I now have one of those push along vtech baby walkers but he's not interested. The toddler trampoline looks fun and good exercise plus would make a perfect Christmas present from Grandma.

Thanks Mellors. Yes I suspect there are no nifty tricks I can use he will just have a sort of walking epiphany one day. I look forwad to that moment :)

My not so little man is now 18 months but he still isn?t interested in walking. He has a very cautious personality which is fantastic in many respects (picks up sharp objects and hands them to me, closes the stairgate behind himself etc) but he just will not take a couple of steps unaided. He won?t even walk with you holding just one hand. He?s been checked out by a lovely physio at Sunshine House who has ruled out any physical problem. He?s just super cautious plus has very flexible ankles. He didn?t bear any weight on his legs until after he was 1 so they will take a little longer to strengthen up. Anyone know any nifty little tricks to get him to take those first unaided steps? Thanks.

Thank you for all the info. I had previously read about 3 methods which don't involve weeing on sticks/purchasing kits to help predict ovulation (cervical mucus, cervix position and basal temperature) but was just too prudish to mention them by name in my OP (thanks Keef for mentioning the mucus I'll stop being so prudish now:)). It is truely amazing how we can be governed by innate reproductive impulses we don't even realise we have! Will make sure I don't get too drunk at the office Christmas party in case the body thinks wahey quick fling best chance of conceiving (Robin Baker's book)!!!

Now baby no.1 is 18 months thinking about TTC a baby no. 2. As we no longer have the leisure time we use to and I?m getting on a bit I think I need to be more proactive in this. I've been reading up on ovulation signs which is all quite straight forward but still confused as to which is your most fertile day is it the actual day you ovulate or the day before you ovulate? Thank you!

I went for Family Investments as they do an ethical policy. http://www.familyinvestments.co.uk/childtrustfund.aspx Got a statement on my son's 1st birthday and the value of his policy was ?275 - if it carries on at 10% per year I'm sure he'll be happy.

Yeah I know how it feels about losing the breast feeding bond (plus the extra pain on giving up breast feeding of my boobs shrinking back to their normal (A) cup size). I had to return to work full-time at 6 months leaving my son in the care of his dad who is now his primary carer. One year on and despite spending more time with Daddy I'm still his absolute favourite. I found in the end the breast feeding bond was fortunately just a tiny part of a much bigger bond created during our first 6 months together when mummy had lovely c-cup breasts...ah how I miss them...

Hmmm I see one flaw in this plan? what about the low self-esteem mums who don't use this forum and know nothing about the secret badge/ribbon/code word. How are they are going to feel when they finally dredge up the courage to attend a local play group? Who will speak to them? I'm a bit worried this discussion has come full circle from something positive admitting how nerve wracking it is attending baby groups with their little cliques to hey why don't we create our own super clique! Maybe just try and say hello to anyone who appears on their own. Edited to say was skim reading the post and just realised Keef made similar point more succintly If someone has no badge, will they be ignored, and forced to eat the sainsbury's basics digestives?

Have you tried giving him cow's milk - I know they say wait until 12 months but I'm pretty sure it can't harm at 11 months?

Tank like! I prefer the term sturdy. I very, very, very occasionally go jogging with my City Mini so I need a fairly solid buggy ? my Maclaren was just too flismy - wrecked it in less than 6 months of very occasional jogging. Admittedly the longer wheel base on the City Mini does take a little adjusting to after the Maclaren plus I think 3 wheelers in general are not as smooth going up/down kerbs. However other than that yes it is fantastic - I never thought I would get so attached to a pushchair. I never thought I'd care so much...

Another vote for the Baby Jogger City Mini ? it?s actually easier and quicker to fold than a Maclaren has a fantastic double hood (no need for a rain cover or additional sun shade except in the most extreme weather conditions), is easy to maneuver and push with one hand and reclines flat. I think it could be real threat to the Maclaren if it was marketed and stocked more in British shops. Definitely worth reviewing in the best city pushchair category.

dwg = drawings (architect txt speak innit!)

We have just completed a side return extension (Landells Road) which my boyfriend (a freelance architect) designed and built himself. Like snowboarder we didn't need planing permission as it fell under permitted development (and yes the rules have recently changed). We actually moved the kitchen into the middle of the house and we now have a full house width lounge/dining area at the back of the house. You are more than welcome to come and have a nosey at our house (although it isn't quite finished yet actually got the plasterers in today) or for further advice telephone Pete (my boyfriend) on 07960-411594.

As HeidiHi has said babies change rapidly and regularly changing your profile pic is an easy way to keep folks updated. I don't view it as hiding but showing off and celebrating that wonderful new person in your life and let's face it the majority of parents love showing off their new offspring. Better than that one picture of you looking OK on holiday from about five years ago. Might post picture of father and son in matching coloured t-shirts now what would that say about me...

I too have a picture of my 17 month old son as my facebook profile pic, again more do with his massively cute chubby baby face than only identifiying as a mother. Sure I?ll be reverting back to my own ugly mug once he hits about 3. Or the cat.* More on topic my boyfriend and son have the same skin tone consequently my boyfriend will now consider wearing brighter coloured clothes he previously dismissed after seeing the colours really suit our son (jade green, turquoise blue). However no matching t-shirts yet... *Just joking about the cat picture.

Hi I work full-time and have an off-peak membership deal with the gym closest to the office where I work. All the gym's lunchtime classes are 45 minutes as opposed to 60 minutes.

We use to have a similar dish to Tuna Mush called Tuna Fish Pie (tuna in a bechemal sauce with rice and boiled eggs topped off with cheese and onion crips). It was extremely yummy. Might test it out my 16 month old this weekend although he's far too young to appreciate what a fantastic treat it is having crushed up crisps on top of a fairly normal dinner.

I sometimes lace my 16 month old's meals with traces of processed saltly meat(bacon, ham, corn beef) or strongly flavoured cheese. Amazing how much better steamed veg and a baked potato goes down when it has a grated mature cheddar and diced bacon topping.

Guy knocked on my door last night (Landells Road) and as I turned into the hallway to answer he spat at my door. Obviuosly didn't open the door and told him to leave in no uncertain terms.

'Dullified' is a reference to my adoption of what I regard as typical East Dulwich 'ways'. I guess it's akin to being gentrified/gentrification.

I'd check out the Baby Jogger City Mini double too - I have the single and I think it's fantastic - patented fast fold mechanism for easy storage, massive double hood that provides sun and rain protection, fully reclines and really easy to maneuver.

I also started weaning at 5 months and my son's sleep never regressed. His sleep patterns just improved steadily from newborn to sleeping through at 11 months no wonder weeks around here. I also found dropping breast feeding at 7 months dramatically improved his sleep patterns too. Edited to say - my son may have had wonder weeks I just never noticed or knew about them then if I have another I will watch out for them!