Knomester

We have the ones with the magnetic keys, but when the cupboard doors are open when we're all in the kitchen, Baby Knomester goes around switching them to the 'unlocked' setting..! Also because we've stuck them (rather than screw them into the wood), he has pulled all of the doors so hard that most of the locks (or parts of them) have fallen off. I have to smile - I do love the way they work these things out...

There was a thread about this recently: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,926757,926994#msg-926994 We took baby Knomester to GK on Melbourne Grove which was recommended in the thread and they took the time to cut his hair properly (although they didn't seem to understand that a 2 year old might not be able to sit in a certain position for a long time...). They would have blow dried it too if Baby Knomester wasn't so terrified of hairdryers!

Cupboard locks didn't last 5 minutes in our kitchen... How they do it amazes me. We gave up on stairgates for the same reason. Thankfully he can't open our windows (yet) but I did notice the other day that with the aid of one of his many climbing tools (basically anything he can manoeuvre to stand on) he could be out of the front door in a flash. Time to keep the front door deadlocked during the day. Thankfully he doesn't try to play with (or eat) things like dishwasher tablets. Perhaps because he helps with everything around the house so knows what they're really for? Who knows, but it reminds me I must move the bleach out of the bathroom as that's only a matter of time (childproof lids are not so childproof...).

I'm not a big fan of going out for a Sunday roast as they never seem to live up to what you can cook at home, but sometimes it's nice not to have to cook! I like The Paxton in Gipsy Hill because it serves a good roast and is also family friendly with plenty of highchairs. The Victoria is also child frindly and has a separate play room for when little ones need space to run around. I've not had a roast there for a long time but they used to be quite good. Maybe the new Cherry Tree (what was The Vale) might be worth a try?

Mandy, you're welcome to give our beco gemini a try when we meet up next Friday morning - remind me to bring it with me. I still carry Baby Knomester in it and he was 2 last week. Otherwise there is a sling library where you can try them and you can hire from Slumberoo to try them out before you buy.

Thank you all for signing. I'm sorry to hear that so many other mums and babies have suffered with tongue tie problems, but I'm pleased that my post on tongue tie and related issues helped some of you.

Broad beans, sweetcorn, edamame and artichoke bottoms in our freezer (in addition to peas of course!). Also tend to freeze left over pulses when I've only used part of a tin so they get added into meals too. When Baby Knomester was little I also used to make batches of sweet potato wedges and freeze those so they were ready to eat. Same with any veg really - I'd cook extra when we were having it and pop into bags in the freezer (good way to make sure veg isn't wasted too). Not been able to order edamame from Ocado recently for some reason - always out of stock - but they sell them in SMBS on Lordship Lane.

I have a Facebook account that I rarely post anything on, but which I use to check how friends and family who are dotted all over the world are getting on. I used to post photos of my toddler on there occasionally, but recently got a bit scared about privacy and deleted all photos of him, so my account is a bit of an empty shell now. I have various twitter accounts which are linked to my blogs. I don't use my real name on twitter or on my blogs and never have done. I think twitter is a good way to connect with people who have similar interests to you who you might not otherwise have chance to meet or get to know in the 'real' world. I have made some good friends and contacts and I also find it useful for keeping up with things that are going on locally by following local organisations, restaurants, shops, residents and the twitter accounts for the local parks for example. Like Saffron, I don't follow celebrities and I don't work in an industry where social media is required or even desireable. It's solely for my own personal interests. It can be incredibly time consuming, but then similarly there are days and weeks when I never look at it. I guess you can make of it what you want to!

I came across this petition today which seeks the correction of tongue tie in newborn babies within three days from birth. I know I'm not alone in the Family Room in having struggled with feeding a tongue tied baby, so thought there may be a few of you who might like to sign... http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/36614

Hello Belinda The Dulwich Natural Childhood Group website might be useful to you: http://www.naturalchildhood.co.uk/

Baby Knomester loved his 1st birthday party too! It was a family party for about 20 people, including his 2 great grandmas. Food, cake, unwrapping presents and lots of laughs. He wasn't at all phased by the number of people and dmolished more than his fair share of his chocolate monkey birthday cake!

Like Pickle's daughter, Baby Knomester has been exposed to the pox twice (that I know of) now but he's not had them yet.

Like hellosailor we use metanium and Weleda calendula nappy change cream. We used to use the Weleda one every night as a barrier cream and now just use it if he's looking a bit pink but nothing needing metanium (he's 23 months now). To be honest, he hasn't suffered much with nappy rash and I do think that the Weleda cream has worked well in that way as a barrier, epecially overnight when he has a wet nappy on for 12 hours.

I'm guessing it's the same house on Dunstans sharing their music with us again this evening...?

Tanzania and Zanzibar. A few days on the coast south of Dar where there was nothing to do except do nothing, then the most amazing 4 days on safari in the Selous National Park and finally a few days in Zanzibar with the last night in Stone Town. I wouldn't bother with Zanzibar again, but I'd love to go back to Tanzania. Adored it.

Me too Molly... Wellies and raincoats may be on the cards again instead then! At least Baby Knomester and his Daddy have had lovely weather for their trip to Crystal Palace to see the torch today.

That's great news buggie!

There were lots of children playing in the water play at Brockwell Park yesterday Fuschia. We're planning a trip over there on Friday if the weather is still like this. The water tap wasn't on in PR Park over the weekend - I think it has been turned off permanently?

The House of Fairy Tales sounds amazing Pickle! Having been, do you think it would be suitable for an inquisitive (almost) 2 year old?

Ruth, we have a Beco Gemini for Baby Knomester. I've no idea how much he weighs now but I would guess at around the same as Lex or a few pounds more. At 23 months, I still carry him on my front in the Beco, but I find it hard work (party because I don't do it very often now, so out of practice, but also because of my by rubbish back). It's fine for up to an hour or so, but after that it gets too much. You can back carry with the Beco too, but I'm not coordinated enought to get him in it on my own! I like the look of bluesuperted's Manduka which E always looks very comfortable in. They're all pretty pricey though and probably not THAT different to your Ergo?

Thanks Fuschia. We've booked at place for one of the sessions at The Dish & The Spoon (which also serves fab coffee and cake..!) which coincide with my week's holiday with Baby Knomester! Also thinking about the Hilly Fields activity too Saffron.

We love mackerel in this house too! Our current favourites using smoked mackerel are: smoked mackerel with a warm salad of new potatoes, beetroot, capers, gerkins and parsley or smoked mackerel with beetroot and celeriac remoulade (http://www.thegingergourmand.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/smoked-mackerel-with-celeriac-beetroot.html). Like david_carnell says, mackerel can stand big robust flavours and there's a lovely Rick Stein recipe for Mackerel Recheado which we eat with pilau rice and katchumber salad (http://cornwall-living.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mackerel-recheado-recipe.pdf). Baby Knomester doesn't always like very spicy food though so if we're eating with him, we tend to choose simpler dishes, e.g. fry fillets and serve with tabbouleh style salad made with bulgar wheat and puy lentils or with quinoa. It also makes good fish fingers coated in egg and panko! There's a recipe in a Waitrose Magazine which my Mum gave me last week that we're going to try soon which is for mackerel with soya beans and sushi rice, but I can't seem to find the recipe online anywhere.

We travelled up on that line on Saturday (mid-morning). We only had the one toddler and no pushchair, but lots of luggage. The wheelchair spaces are huge, so if there is no disabled passenger using the space you will have no problem with your pram. There is also generally more space around those sections of the train (and large disabled toilets with baby change facilities). As ncj97 says, there is space to park your pram in the doorways too. Having used that line for many years, I would say that it depends on when you'll be travelling as to how tricky it will be to find space for all of your luggage and pram. Our Saturday morning train was nowhere near full, we hadn't been able to book seats, but got a table together, and there was plenty of room for luggage. It was the same when we travelled down from Manchester on a Monday lunchtime. Virgin Customer Services aren't always the most helpful bunch, but when you get to the station and onto the train, I have always found them really helpful and some station staff have bent over backwards to help us out in the past. I'm sure you'll be fine!

Brilliant Ruth :-)

I'd agree with the Science or Transport Museum - both perfect for that age and on a rainy day!