Polly D

Thanks all for some lovely suggestions, keep them coming, hopefully also useful for others in similar boat. We do have one traditional name suggested here on the (very) short agreed list but not convinced. Also one of Fuschia's suggestions is our definite agreed middle name, after a family member, tho with slightly diff spelling to F's. I can see that many of the suggestions go v well with Reuben but we kind of want to steel clear of another old testament name, which wasn't why we chose Reuben as both v much athiests, just love the name. I find the name websites and books a bit overwhelming as never know where to begin, hence turning to the forum, so thanks again! Perhaps I am spending so much time thinking about the name in order not to think about other newborn-related matters!

You should check your hose reaches it but they can be a pain to empty so I wouldn't fill it just yet. From wat I remember, they keep the heat pretty well. Good luck

Have been thinking about Wilf(red) and was M's grandfather's middle name. First born is Reuben. Husband loves Roman but agrees too similar. I like Sam but is my brother's name. We both like Theo but is name of good friend's son and feels a bit weird to 'take' it. I love Louis, Ned, Milo, Jarvis (!?) but husband has vetoed all, although Milo was his suggestion til he found out about the hot choc drink plus Tweenies character - and also seems to be popular dogs' name.

I know there's been a good thread on this before but I am still lacking inspiration. Actually, there are loads I like on that thread but they aren't getting past my husband. Any suggestions?! Boy number 2 due in 10 weeks or so.

No! But then his room is pitch black and he can't reach the light switch yet. At the weekend he comes up to our room once he wakes up and we usually take it in turns to give each other an hour or so lie in.

I don't know anything about the people you have asked about but if you're thinking of writing a will, during November you can write one with a solicitor for ?85/person, all of which goes to the charity not the solicitor. http://www.willaid.org.uk/ We did it last year with a brilliant solicitor called Nick Hall at Davenport Lyons who I imagine is still on the list on the website. He supports the charity whole heartedly.

Next online

Bright Horizons takes babies from 3 months and is open 7am til 7pm tho your child can't do more than 10hrs/day within that. It's in the car park at Sainsburys on Dog Kennel Hill. It's great - our son goes there. Not sure of prices though. Our son is over 3 so pricing is different to baby room.

We've gone for afternoons. R is more or less same age as S and will be about to have a sibling so I'll be on mat leave, and we're also a 5 min walk from school. I thought getting there (all dressed and fed) for 8.45am with two could be a struggle, plus the day could feel a little long after picking up - for me anyway with a newborn. I like the idea of breaking the day up in 3 hour stretches, sort of. Mornings we can go to the park, library, things which aren't timetabled, or 'chill out' ha ha at home before early lunch and a 'relaxed' walk to school. This is all my ideal, in my head...sure there will be many last-minute hassles, loo dramas, puking from baby etc. Would be nice if your daughter continues her afternoon nap while S in nursery, you'll get an hour or two to yourself! One thing which put me off though is that means you are tied to your location all day really. Can't go far while he's in nursery for 3 hours so no trips to see friends and family on the other side of London, unless you meet halfway I 'spose. I know lots of families tend to prefer the morning though. You could always leave it to chance, see what the nursery offer you.

Build him a tent/den in the lounge or his bedroom, let him have a picnic lunch or tea in it, plop in his books, fave toys etc.

At the PO on Forest Hill Road, opp the GP, they have a load of cheap crafty things: packs of googly eyes, feathers, coloured sticks, coloured shapes. Pack of those, with some coloured card and a glue stick can entertain my son for a good hour or so, making cards and crowns. Bit messy but good indoor stuff.

Anyone got any current bus info? Specifically after info re the 185 to Victoria. Thanks

Try GMs. They are usually good with last-minute appointments.

You could stop at Tisbury - think is technically Dorset but just off the a303 - and have a drink/feed/runaround/bar snacks at the Beckford Arms. It's a gorgeous pub with bedrooms, lovely garden if you get a glimmer of sun, child friendly, v restorative. We just did the return journey yesterday in pouring rain and only stopped at boring and expensive service stations.

Fish pie Shepherd's pie with sweet potato topping Chicken curry - my 3yr old loves this All good to make in advance and freeze.

Hi Also joining the thread: am 16 weeks and due mid November. It'll be my second; my son will be 3 and 3/4 when this one arrives. All seems to be fine so far tho am currently sitting on landing outside bathroom while son is in bath cos I can't quite deal with his meltdowns at the mo (needed a poo mid bath, him not me). What's it going to be like when the baby's kicking off too? Eek... Def keen to do yoga and meet ups at some point. Polly

It's a bit hit and miss in terms of the receptionists. They used to be pretty frustrating but I feel it's improved in the last couple of years - agree the man on reception is particularly helpful. The GPs are v good, and the nurses are very helpful. Once or twice I've requested a phone appointment and it was brilliant. At the moment there seems to be quite a wait for an appointment so it must be a really busy time of year. For example, I rang last Weds for my son to be seen (non emergency) and the next appt was this Weds - a whole week later. Trouble is, if you're ill and really need to get through and can't get down there, and no-one picks up the phone it's incredibly frustrating, not to mention expensive, so maybe it's worth sending a letter to explain just how frustrating it is. Obviously that doesn't help when what what you need there and then is a reassuring voice on the line.

Yep, now no water at all (top end of Upland).

Came home tonight to the same letter as you Ossa. Thanks everyone.

How about Mrs Pepperpot? I loved them when I was little. And the Lily books by Shirley Hughes: I Don't Want to Go is a big favourite in our house (tho I have a boy!).

We got offered a place for my son back in March, which we've accepted. Give them a ring maybe. We had to accept in writing by the end of April. Good luck

Hi Does anyone know the nursery term dates for Goodrich this September? I rang the office and they said term starts 5 Sept but I'm wondering if that's for reception, rather than the nursery as I'm sure a while ago they said it was mid Sept. Would have thought it would be staggered. I'd rather not keep ringing them so wondered if other parents knew. Know it's a bit far ahead but planning holidays! Thanks P

Tom's Field in Dorset

Sure some of you read this last weekend (for the other side of the coin): http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/may/11/what-really-thinking-wife-of-househusband

Absolutely not wishing to antagonise but I find the wording in the title of the thread interesting: how much does your partner help you. And sometimes for me this sums up the balance, i.e. the implication that it's my job and my partner should help, rather than a balanced 50:50 partnership. I agree with Yak: nothing better than a job swap to really understand each other's days. I wish my husband could work more flexibly but in his male-dominated industry there is just no way. Plus he gets paid more than me so it makes sense that I am part-time. I was feeling pretty happy with our balance but after being away for work for two days I am feeling rather grrrrrr about certain comments made upon my return about how inconvenient it was to do both the drop off and the pick up in the same day (which I do 4 days/week). Although to be fair he loved doing it in terms of our son, just that it made work harder...to which I wandered off upstairs muttering silently before I exploded.