Gussy

oww its all gone :( We managed a trip around GG playground in the sledge and that was it in the end! My snowman has melted leaving a few twigs and potatoes rolling around on the ground. My garden looks all dirty again. I miss it! But at least I can walk on the pavements again....:)

Hiya, got my P&T from mothercare last year, they were doing 20% off them or something, def worth looking out for price reductions, and there's always quite a few on gumtree/ebay if you can be faffed. I didn't invest in footmuffs and have used my existing ones from other prams (elodie details one and a bugaboo one). To be honest they fit ok but there is nowhere to attach them at the top iyswim, so I've actually had to sew some buttons on the back to make it stay put as it drives me mad when you put the child in and the whole thing sags. Have to say its a breeze to push and I had no problems with it on the ice-rink pavements. In fact it kept me up!

Hiya we use an all in one water proof number bought from http://www.muddypuddles.com/?gclid=CNDP4vXPzaUCFc0f4QodTxSMjQ and put normal clothes with coat on underneath. They are designed to go over coats and are big, but perfect for my 2 year old.

Hi Fuschia I had pregnancy induced hypertension in late pregnancy with both of my two. The first one I was scared and stayed in the hospital, but in hindsight wish I'd have discharged myself as the stress of it all made my bp worse, but the second one I planned a homebirth and was dead set against going in, so I managed to persuade them that I'd go in every other day for bp trace, blood test and scan here and there. Baby was fine and I managed to stay at home doing this before I naturally went into labour at 41+6. I even bought my own BP machine to keep a close eye on myself and would have gone in should it have gone crazy. Obviously we are totally different and I don't know anything about your pregnancy, but wanted to say if you feel really uncomfortable in hospital and induction is being really pushed onto you, maybe you could discuss going home, but coming in for monitoring? Just a thought. Good luck with everything x

Just back from BC bikes and they are getting about 20 or so in - supposed to be today, but they hadn't arrived. I had to put my name down for a call when they arrive. Sounds like they will go very quickly....

Oh that's right by me Molly, may have a look this afternoon. Just need Mr Gussy to take a day off work now!

Hi both mine had the bcg and it was the easiest of the lot. No effects at all other than the scaring, which is normal. Please don't worry it will be over quickly and its just a little scratch under the skin rather than the intra-muscular jabs so in theory probably not as painful. Both mine winced a tiny bit and then it was forgotten, whereas with the others there were more tears x

Wonderful, thank you everyone for your great suggestions. I'm off to buy some supplies later - I think I'll be more excited making these things than the kids :)

Brill, I'm going to order a few, I can't choose! Oh hang on, loads are out of stock :( Will just have to get the racing car one then :) As a relative new comer to these parts where is the best places to sledge? My closest open space is Peckham Rye, but it looks a bit flat to get anything decent going. Where does everyone head to, is it the place opposite the Horniman?

Hiya, I'd really like to make some Christmas gifts for the family this year with my toddler's help, but I haven't done it before so not sure where to start other than some cupcakes or other baking? Has anyone got any creative/clever ideas (that won't break the bank) for presents that we could make? The in-laws/grandparents would adore something made by the kids, ps we've already given them a framed hand print picture last year, so something else. Thanks

Haha my little one is also a thumb sucker - it hadn't occurred to me to make a peepy hole in the glove :) I normally do a church group on weds but could be up for library. I tell you what, it was a bit slippy today under foot but if there's a frost tonight its going to be lethal tomorrow. I find it hard enough to get traction in any of my footwear while pushing 2 kids in the Phil & Ted, although I must say it is easier than a Maclaren. Think I might have to salt the front path tonight so I don't go arse over tit tomorrow!

Hi I'm a SAHM and have been for the last 2 years. I've got a 2 year old and 8 month old. Snowboarder sums it up well, there aren't many of us and a lot of the time you will cross paths with a mum here and there, but then she is working some days, so your group of friends will be a lot more broad and include nannies, child minders and grand parents! Best bet is to get a timetable together of all the local groups - we do the same as snowboarder, we are out mon-thurs at morning activities (playgroups, music classes, libraries, soft play etc) and then in the afternoon after nap time its generally shopping, park/swings or play date. I'm not going to lie its hard to get a network going. I'm still struggling after just moving here...it takes time, even as long as 6 months to a year to see people regularly enough to get your week sorted. Or maybe you're super outgoing and can strike up friendships quicker than me. Anyway, you're not alone and there's lots of people on here who are more than happy to share experiences, meet up with x

Haha snowboarder I get the same with cbeebies, although currently toddler G is obsessed with Peppa Pig on the laptop. I get variations of "more pig please" "pig now please" "watch pig?" ALL DAY, hence I hid the computer and went out! This afternoon I am going to try cake making, which is fine with one, but baby isn't keen if he doesn't have a new toy in his lap every 20 seconds.... PS need to find some gloves that actually stay on little hands. Is is ok to tape them on their arms?!;-)

Ok in hindsight it was probably a bit of a silly idea with a baby and toddler but I was going nuts stuck inside :)) So apart from a photographer and a few teenagers we were the only souls braving Peckham common this morning. It was cold and wet with the snow hitting us in the face, but also great fun. Anyone else brave enough to go out in it? I don't think there will be many at the 1 o clock club today!

I really like the look of that costumes book, thanks for posting. I'm often repairing bits and sewing things for kids and hubby. Sorry to ask on your thread but can anyone tell me where a local haberdashery shop is (ie walking or bus distance as I don't have a car), I haven't managed to find one yet since moving here a few months ago (although not done extensive search).

Haha Helen so true! I get from my MIL that she feels she doesn't really know her grandson because he 'sleeps a lot'. Total rot, he has about 2 hours in total in the day in 2 naps, oh and that he is needy because he is breastfed :X Can I just ask, do you think it is ok for me to insist that this year we have a christmas at home without visitors? For the last 15 years I have gone back to my husbands family for Christmas (my lot are hopeless/all over the place/not bothered about xmas), and last year they came to ours - it was the worst Christmas I've ever had. I was 8 months pregnant, had toddler as well, did so much cooking and they didn't lift a finger. In fact they were deliberately lazy and unhelpful because we didn't go back to theirs (MIL loves a mind game). Anyway, this year I've said to my husband I want Christmas and Boxing day at home and then we will hit the road and go back to his parents (2.5hrs away) and visit some of my lot. Is that fair? My hubby is in a grump about it because he wants to go back home.....I'm knackered with 2 kids under 2 and not slept for more than a few hours in about a year and just want to kick back and relax with my immediate family. Is anyone else staying at home with just the kids and then visiting family? Hubby keeps making me feel like I am being unreasonable :(

Keef don't be a hob-nob ;-) I'm up for badge or ribbon. Agree, not really into some large gleaming 'look at me I've only got internet friends number', but a small badge with a logo or it or something...I also like the ribbon idea....or we could put something on our prams if we didn't want it on us? :)

Well done Fuschia. I really hope you have a fab homebirth. Try to stay as relaxed as you can (I know that's easier said than done!) and keep us posted, you're on the home straight now! x

This one: De'Longhi radiator

Hi just wanted to say I bought an oil filled radiator and it's brilliant (?50 Argos)! Baby's room is a nice 19 degrees and this is CONSTANT as it has a thermostat. No second guessing how cold the night will be and changing the boiler settings all the time. Thanks to all those who recommended and I would def. recommend to others. I'm so glad I've got one now its getting really cold. PS reren, you are exactly right, its the lack of insulation, ie no roof space, just roof, above his room.

on second thoughts maybe its for older kids.....not sure about painting and pottery for a one year old, but maybe they just hire the venue?

What about the back of All Fired Up on E.dulwich rd? I've not had a party there but I go to music classes there and I passed the other day and there was a kids party at the back and it looked lovely...

IT is crazy that we must be feeling the same.....can I just chuck something else into the mix? And, please don't be offended and certainly not anyone on here, but I have found since moving here that it can be a bit unfriendly at groups *ducks for cover* While there are some self esteem issues, I am certainly not a recluse and I generally love to smile and chat to people, especially those I see week in week out at groups, but, I often get very little back. I didn't have quite the same trouble where I used to live in London (pls no quips about sending me back!). Surely a smile isn't going to break the bank?! Also those mums already in groups seem to form an impenetrable fortress. I've experienced a mum I was chatty with 'pretending' not to see me at another group. I thought sod it, I'll approach her and went up to her to say hello and she wasn't interested in talking to me. I tried again the next week and got the same, so I gave up. Or I was trying to sit with a circle of mums, and one turned their back on me which made it impossible to 'join in'. I'm happy to keep trying but there's only so much trying one can keep up. I end up just playing with my kids, which is the main reason I go anyway.... I guess those already in groups feel like they have their circle and don't need to expand it. I have to also agree with Molly that it doesn't help when your kids are all over the place or stealing toys or riding a bike over the baby area (toddler Gussy's favourite activity!). Thanks Molly I would love to meet you, you seem so nice from reading all your posts....(as does everyone on here). I'm off to the drs again today as toddler G has illness no.345 so if she's feeling better, I'll be back, taking on 'groups' again this week :) be lovely to meet you x PS maybe we could all wear a badge - "EDF mum, be nice" :))

What a heart-warming read ladies. I don't think anything prepares you for the changes you face when you have kids. This sounds awful but when I see a pregnant lady who is pregnant with her first and she has that 'no-idea everything is wonderful' look on her face I kind of feel sorry for her. And, nobody can tell you what it will be like, you have to learn first hand. My friend who I see occasionally was pregnant (she's now had her baby) and said 'How about we go to Ibiza with the kids next year'. I looked at her and smiled sweetly and said, 'lets talk about this in 3 months time'. Needless to say she's not mentioned it since.... Maybe there are some lucky people out there with an amazing support network of family and friends and they get time to regularly 'be themselves' again, and/or they have easy pregnancies, births and babies who sleep etc. Great for them, but most of us seem to be catapulted into a very lonely, hard time of learning on the job with no family nearby or mums to ask about how you get poo out of the carpet etc etc. I'm not really sure if my self-esteem has changed, I'm just as chatty with people, maybe even more so as kids provide so much common ground for starting a conversation. Ok so maybe now I'm talking to old ladies and post office counter ladies A LOT MORE than I would have :) However, I just don't care about city folk and their jobs, I don't really miss my job, I think about my old life and yes I miss going out, going to Ibiza each year, talking to friends, going for lunches, dinners and pubs on sunday without a care for the time or work on Monday.....but when I hear about my old friends still doing all this after 10 years and splitting up with their boyfriends and looking for the 'right' person and all that drama, I feel a bit sorry for them. I love my family and I actually feel a bit above them now. Not in an arrogant way, just in a moved on way. That doesn't mean however that I don't HATE my body (2 stone overweight) and wish I had more friends (often feel lonely, especially moving here and not knowing anyone......and failing quite miserably to make friends despite going to groups most days...). I say a little thing to the kids when we go into groups 'let's see if mummy can try not to be the only person sat on her own this week'. I do look at other mums who are well dressed and in groups all laughing and feel envious, but then I look at my kids and think 'o well' on with another day.....I also have in the back of my mind that I WILL BE BACK. Not yet, and maybe it will take a few more years, like when the kids are at school? but my god I will be back with a vengeance. Who's with me?! COME ON LADIES!

I'm with O2 and get awful reception in my house (I'm in SE15), which is annoying as that's where I use it most, but it seems to be ok when I'm out and about.