Citrovie

In this case the entrance to the garden (and then the flat, which had its windows locked) was gained through a side alley. There was a padlock on the gate but the gate was not easily visible from the street and this relative privacy made it easy to force it open (during the day). Easier than when the gate blocks the alley off at the front of the house. Basically: check your gates and watch out for people parking their cars in front of your flat and behaving strangely (don't ask me for a definition of strange behaviour :-S)

If you were used to filing your nails you will suddenly find yourself cutting them with your toenail clipper.

I'm meeting a friend from Putney today and we'd like to take our one year olds to a nice soft play area we can both reach by public transport. Clapham is pretty much in the middle (don't know of any soft play areas there) but other areas with direct bus/train connections are fine too... Does anyone know of something? Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the replies. It must be frustrating not to be sure it is/was swine flu because you won't know whether to worry about your kids getting in contact with people with swine flu in the future and whether to give the vaccination if/when offered. It must have been awful to see your little ones that sick and to even have to use a syringe to get water into them! I obviously hope my daughter won't get it but as mich said there is a good chance she will. Hope your daughter gets over it quickly, mich.

I'm curious about how active swine flu is in the area at the moment and, if your child has had it, how bad it was (e.g. did you feel confident caring for him/her at home? Did everyone in your household get it?) and whether Tamiflu had any nasty side effects. I haven't heard much about people getting sick around here lately but assume it'll be back when school starts again. I know the symptoms will be different for everyone who is unfortunate enough to get it but I'd like to be somewhat prepared in case my 1 year old gets it at some point. Thanks!

I went for Hipp just because it's the only organic brand I know of. I'm not obsessed with organic food in general (veg/fruit/bread etc - I think pesticides can be washed off quite well in most cases) but do like the idea of meat and dairy being organic since I'm worried about growth hormones. I actually have no idea how much cow's milk is actually present in formula with everything else that's added so I'm not even sure it was "necessary" to go for organic. Instead of researching this (which I was too busy and tired for at the time) I just went for organic by default. A very personal decision, nothing I want to claim as "better". My baby never had any problems transitioning to Hipp from breastmilk but she has never had any reflux or other digestive issues anyway so I'm not sure how a more sensitive tummy would react to it. Good luck with your decision!

Nurofen works wonders, but if you don't like Calpol I imagine you're not a big fan of that either. The only other thing I know of is Teetha which you already have. And letting them suck on cold wet washcloths.

I fully agree with sillywoman (who should really change her user name because there's nothing remotely silly about her). They're so young at primary school age. The "she's 6" post may be a bit blunt but there is some truth to it. Happiness and confidence are so much more important than being stimulated academically, especially at that age. There will be plenty of opportunity for that in secondary school, be it private or state. The right kind of parents will keep a private school kid from becoming a snob and will make sure a state school kid takes education seriously (not to criticise your parents - I was also a relatively good and (therefore) lazy student and also wish I had worked harder and learned more). I hate the whole system of private versus state schools, I don't want to have to choose. I grew up in a country where the division doesn't exist and am tempted to move back just to keep mini-Citrovie out of the rat race. If I can afford it (probably not but you never know) and still live in London when my she's ready for secondary school, I will probably consider private education. If she can get into a good state school, better. If not, I'd look for a private school that's serious about education but otherwise as down to earth as possible. In your particular case I wouldn't take my daughter out of a school where she's happy, especially since it's only primary school. Reconsider it for secondary school. Just my opinion of course and take it with a grain of salt as I didn't even grow up here. Good luck with your decision.

Great thread! Here are a few I can think of right now: 1. Expect your relationship to take a temporary hit, probably some time between when your baby is 6 to 12 weeks old. Everyone will have different kinds of arguments but arguments they will have (I think - based on experience and confessions from every single friend with a baby). The new dad can think the new mum is being too protective, the new mum can think the new dad isn't fully on board yet and too focused on his me-time, the new dad can think the new mum shouldn't talk about the baby all the time, you name it. I don't think you can avoid it but if you recognise it as something normal everyone goes through you may not freak out too much. Would be a good topic to add to the NCT classes. 2. Avoid shoes until they walk. Even if it's freezing you can probably do without as non-walkers can have their feet in footmuffs (when in pram) or in tights with socks over them - this way they don't come off either! 3. Avoid socks on bare feet - they come off. Tights are so much easier and why not get them for boys too? Nobody has to know (until his stag do). The Jojo shop has some good socks with non-slip patterns on them that stay on quite well if you want socks anyway, but I'm not sure those exist for babies under 6 months. On hot summer days you can probably leave your baby barefoot (not sure about newborns - I had a summer baby who was in very light footed sleepsuits pretty much all the time until she was 3 or 4 months old. No sock problem during that time!). 4. Don't feel guilty if breastfeeding doesn't work out. Make a serious effort if you are motivated and get help if you have trouble with it at first but don't think a bottle of formula will kill your child. I was lucky to have an easy time breastfeeding but was nevertheless very annoyed by the breastfeeding "mafia" here in the UK. VERY sensitive topic, I know. I may come back and delete it. For now I'll add the disclaimer that this is just my personal opinion and not based on extensive research (but neither is my opinion on socks :))). 5. Consider ordering a plastic lab bottle while you're still pregnant (like a sports bottle that you can squeeze, but with a straw attached to it). If you have any cuts or grazes from birth, fill the bottle with warm water and squeeze it onto the sensitive area while you pee... it helped me a lot. 6. Take the longest maternity leave you can possibly afford. If you take a year, you have time to start your leave nice and early (4+ weeks before your due date). I highly recommend leaving work early. My baby came early (unexpectedly) and it was great to have still had some time to myself. After you have a baby you won't have ANY time for yourself anymore. Sucks you can't appreciate your free time until you don't have it anymore!

Amsterdam (where I'm from)

Thanks for all the replies. Circumstances changed and I will now fly at 1pm so I won't need to worry about morning traffic. Think I'll leave home 2 hours before the flight, allowing 1 hour to get there (too much) and 1 hour to get through security with a baby (too much as well). Stress free and not a ridiculous amount of waiting hopefully. Thanks for the tip about the route, will ask the cab driver what (s)he thinks...

Thanks for the replies, I live on Barry Road, will count on 45 mins.

reetpetite Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If you are going by cab they would be able to tell > you . They often add lots of time to the estimate to make sure you're there on time. I obviously want to be careful but was wondering what's realistic...

Marmora Man Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It's a new venture by Pretty Traditional taking > over the vacant premises next door. They know > their veg but, I think, are still learning about > catering / cafes. I hope they'll get there and > wish them well. Agree 100%, they're shop owners moving into a different type of business. Lovely people and I think the manager would be happy to take feedback into consideration. Maybe they're even reading this thread - would be great. I've found them a bit slow at times but have only sat down for juice so far so can't comment on the food.

I'll be flying from City airport next month and wonder how much traffic I should expect going there early on a weekday morning (travelling alone with a baby and a suitcase so avoiding bus/train/DLR etc... will take a cab). At what time should I leave if I need to be there at 8am?