jills

Hmm, now I like that map idea too. Just to pick up where I left off - Pebbles is doing a piece that incorporates a reading (Hamlet) from my wedding with a simple black outline/etching of the place where we got married. but then she also suggested doing his initial with the text decoupaged (is that a word?) around it. And now that map idea... Too many options - help!

Spanners45 I have the most phenomenal cars picture by Pebbles. She made the matchbox cars drive along a road in the shape of a letter 'T' (black road, white dotted lines, blue background). The best part about Pebbles's pieces is the extra personalisation - we're Canadian so she surprised me by putting the cars on the 'right' side of the road as well as selecting a snow plow, jeep, pick up truck, monster truck etc which was so sweet. Can't wait to give it to my son. I'm out of town at the moment otherwise I'd post a pic - pebbles, if you're reading this maybe you could? On the run at the moment but will post later about a really thoughtful piece she's doing for me that incorporates our wedding vows - only problem is that she's presented me with two stunning ideas and I can't decide which to go with. Fab idea for unique anniversary gift as my husband is so hard to buy for.

I think I need to try this Manduca - it looks fab. Did you buy yours online?

Oh man - more googling! I do appreciate the recommendations so thank you.

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the different options for the Ergo baby carrier - mainly I'm comparing the original to the performance (don't know too much about the sport). I've done huge amounts of googling, but as the sling library isn't open again until next Wed I was hoping for some personal recommendations. I've worn the original and it's great, but don't know anything about the others. The performance seems to have thinner and more contoured shoulder straps (are they still comfortable?), lighter and more water resistant material, some meshy bits, a zipper pocket that hides the hood (the hood on the original seems a bit fussy), and a longer waist strap (but a curvy bit that dips lower in the centre). Any help would be greatly appreciated! ps - I have a huge baby (well, he's only 8 weeks but I can see where we're headed) and a not so great back. I won't be wearing the sling for huge amounts of time but would like as much comfort as possible.

Just to add that in our experience, Air Canada and BA (KLM, United and others long haul) have always provided unlimited milk - they were happy to fill up bottles and heat them as needed. Might want to keep a fresh/clean empty bottle or two on reserve for later in the flight, though at times they've even offered to rinse a bottle in boiled water. As above, can't hurt to pack a small carton just in case though. As Pickle said, taking bottles of milk through security is fine and you're usually just asked to take a sip. Hope you have a good flight!

Hi all, Haven't yet made it along to any meet-ups but going to pop in today with my son who is just over 2.5 yrs (next is due 10 Aug). We will be closer to 3pm due to nap time so hopefully will still catch some of you. x

Hi everyone, I'm due on 10 Aug and have a 2.5 yr old. I can't make it this Fri, but looking forward to meeting up with you sometime soon. X

Have you tried Baby Gap socks? We had sock trouble until a friend tipped me off, and 2 yrs later have never had a sock fall off. They cinch in above the heel really well. There's a specific kind though: it's the ones that are thicker, with the gripper writing on the bottom, and you could only fold them over once if needed (ie, not the 'triple roll' ones). They usually come in a pack of 5 I think. Would highly recommend!

I've seen them around too, but the thing that bothered me was that it makes the brake inaccessible on the sport models. I've got a dash so the brake is on the handle, not sure where the vibe's brake is?

Same experience as above. I just pack the bag as normal and it's no problem. We fly frequently and the toughest they've been is to ask me to test 1/2 of what I've brought. Go with whatever's easiest for you, worst case you will have to take a sip of milk or test one of the pouches. If you're packing formula cartons, I found it handy to keep a bottle empty to decant into. It seems to be hit or miss, sometimes they let you through without even checking the bag, other times they go through it with a fine tooth comb. Good luck.

This thread is hilarious. I remember being so nervous about driving with a newborn - took such care with making sure the car seat was properly clicked in, baby was secure, comfortable, etc. One time, after satisfied baby was good to go, I got into the car and buckled up - on the passenger's side. Neighbour walked by, I was so embarrassed I said I was just waiting for my husband. Waited until they were completely out of sight until I moved over.

Penguin68 and Heart108 - thank you! This sounds like a great solution - providing the signal is strong enough from the sounds of it. How do you find a technician that will assess your signal? Do I have to get a Virgin tech to come out? I started searching around for these online - 'powerline' and 'homeplug' cropping up - am I on the right track or is there a more generic term? They're a bit pricier than I thought...

We used The Clipper on North Cross Road for my son and they did a great job with his curly hair. First time he sat on a plinth across the chair and second time he sat on my mother-in-law's lap so he was much happier. The only problem we have is that the next day you can't really tell it's been cut at all but at least it's out of his eyes. They said that in August they are opening a kids salon next door, with fun chairs for kids to sit on etc. Can't wait. The products above sound great and I'm going to look into them too. At the moment we've been using Johnson's 'no more tangles' spray and it's been great on wet or dry hair. It's the only way I can get a comb through. It was on the shelf at Sainsbury's beside the baby bath stuff.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, but I was hoping to tap into the font of knowledge above. I'm trying to get my Virgin broadband signal to reach to the kitchen (router/hub is installed in the front sitting room and kitchen is furthest possible room at back). I've heard it all from Virgin re signal can't get through the walls, kitchen interference, etc, and because I can't move the hub without miles of re-cabling, they said a repeater/signal booster might help. But because Virgin doesn't sell these, they couldn't advise further. Could anyone tell me what a repeater is, if it might help, and where to get one? I get fairly decent bb from Virgin, just as long as I'm close to the hub. Am SE22. Any help greatly appreciated.

I think all the ideas above are wonderful. Maybe the kids could make a bouqet of flowers to go with their pictures? Tissue/coloured paper blossoms, pipe cleaner/sticks for stems, set in a vase? I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Your thoughtfulness and time are a wonderful gift.

So fun! How about a little bench seat along one side? Great for storage and seating. If you realy wanted to get carried away, you could make fun covers for bench, chairs and curtains! Little hanging plants on each side would be super cute. What kind of carpet did you have in mind? Do you think a washable floor would be better? Blackboard paint is a fab idea. Could also do a magnetic/white board for hanging lovely homemade pictures etc. I'd prob keep the interior paint pretty light. When we were kids, we had 2-way radios to my mum in the house...for emergency snack deliveries. Hope the kids let you know the secret password so you can enjoy such a lovely little abode with them! Let the adventures begin!

good find! what would we do without amazon...

Also called paediatric cutlery, or so my MIL tells me. Just remember that they are right/left hand specific. Did a quick google and saw some here Sorry not to be more helpful but maybe the term will assist your search.

Opposite for us - my son had it when he was 5 weeks old and slept through the whole injection. However, a few weeks or so later it came up into a pussy blister that took months and months to heal. Not to scare monger at all though, it never, ever bothered him and I'd do it again next time. Just a very faded little mark now.

Another vote for Ikea. As above, we had 2 sets of builders recommend them. We went for very contemporary white high gloss (with extra height cabinets, great for storage) and I found them better made and cheaper than the others I compared. We never looked back and so easy to clean. Had little tabs instead of handles which was a dream when the little one came - he couldn't get into the cupboards at all. One word of warning - because we had our guys install they gave us a hard time when we went to exchange the work top (solid wood block - the dark one) as it had split lengthwise a few months post installation. Basically, the washing machine underneath shook it apart, which is shocking, but you could see that it hadn't been glued properly in the first place. They replaced it when we got pushy but next time around I'd get a work top elsewhere. The granite idea sounds lovely...

Would definitely attend - looking forward to more details!

Just noticed - you may want to move this to FR Discussion?

My son is also at MFN (18.5 months) and we've had a very positive experience. I agree with tlw, we also wish there were a few more kids around this age for stimulation etc (tlw - our children must know each other pretty well!). They told us more will be starting as Spring approaches so we look forward to that. Being so new, the rooms weren't very full when we went for the viewing back in January and I wasn't sure about this at first, but as time goes on a lovely atmosphere is developing. The staff have been wonderful. They are very nuturing, and all of them know each children's quirks/likes/needs. When we couldn't start the week we were meant to due to illness, the nursery called each day just to see how he was. They seem very keen to take on board parent's thoughts and concerns too. At one point I casually mentioned that I didn't think the children were taken outside very much. The very next day (and frequently since) they were taken out and had a wonderful afternoon on the slides, etc. I was also assured that this was just due to so many new children arriving and having their settling in periods - which I now completely understand. Feel free to PM me if needed.

Thank you everyone! The syringe worked wonderfully - he thinks it's a game. And we mixed the Piriton with some juice and put it in a closed beaker so he couldn't smell it, and what do you know - success! I also started using Eurax and haven't seen him itch nearly as much. We all had a fabulous sleep last night so can't thank you guys enough! X