mirabelle

Thanks Dodo1, will look into it. I should have added that she doesn't live in London, but I guess she could go on her next trip up. Any other suggestions??

Help! My niece is turning 10 next month and I'd like to get her something special but have no idea what 10 year old girls like these days! Any suggestions? Thanks!

Hi all, we're looking at nurseries for next March, when our son will be 7 months old. I went to see Excel II this morning and it seemed nice, staff were friendly, etc. But would be really grateful if anyone with first hand experience of it could send me their feedback, in particular regarding the baby room. Thanks!

Another endorsement for the bee - yes they're overpriced so we got ours second hand on gumtree (seen them advertised on ED forum too), but if you buy it new it will be easy to resell it in a couple years' time. We live in a small first floor flat and don't own a car, so the bee is perfect as it's small and light. Our 11 week old son seems to love the cocoon, very comfy and snug. Good luck!

Another recommendation for Sue Stockwell through Sitaram - I went to the Wednesday night class at King's college hospital from around 14 weeks until the end of my pregnancy and really enjoyed it. Am now attending her post-natal/baby yoga classes at Brockwell Lido.

Hi all, It's been a while since I posted on this thread... My little boy Fergus was born on August 4th and we'd love to catch up with everyone at one of the next get togethers. Will try and get organised and suggest a time and place for next week. Hope you're all doing well and congratulations on all the new babies! x

Congratulations ladies! great news! I won't be able to catch up with you all tomorrow as I'm still working - I finish at the end of next week... can't wait! Looking forward to coffee and cake with new mums, babies, mums to be and bumps after July 8th! xx

Great news! congratulations Claudine! Still at work so won't be able to join you on Tuesday unfortunately, but maybe next time! Nadia x

Any stay at home dads out there?? My husband and I are expecting our first child at the end of July and I'm planning to take 7 months off and then go back to work either full time or 4 days a week - of course I have no idea how I will feel about the whole thing as this will be my first baby, but staying at home isn't really an option for us as I am the main bread winner. I don't have a problem with this as I'm lucky enough to have a job I enjoy and find fulfilling + the company I work for, being not for profit and charity owned, is very family friendly and flexible, so I won't be under pressure to work long hours and will have the option to work from home when needed for example. I earn a decent salary but nothing amazing for London, and the question of whether me going back to work will actually make financial sense given the cost of childcare is a real one... So it may actually make more sense for my husband to give up work and look after our child full time than for both of us to be working full time and paying for childcare... But the question is would he enjoy it? and taking time out of your career to look after your children is probably even more stigmatised when you're a man, so could potentially make it very hard for him to get back into work later on... Such a dilemma! but hopefully we'll find a way around it... I guess everybody does!

Thanks for the positive messages everyone, it's so reassuring! I'm due to give birth to my first baby at King's in 8 weeks' time so it's great to hear about other women's positive experiences there! I've been looked after by a King's midwife since the start of my pregnancy and I have to say she's been fantastic - lovely and caring, always takes her time with me, etc. I usually see her at the MAU at King's and at our last appointment yesterday she actually took us round the labour ward as it was very quiet, and showed us a couple of rooms - we hadn't had a chance to go on a labour ward tour so it was great! I'm still on the waiting list for the Lanes community midwives but if I get offered a place I think I might actually turn it down as I'd be reluctant to switch at this stage... Congratulations on all the new arrivals and good luck to those who are still waiting! x

Thank you both, I was looking for it too!

The Gowlett is a great choice, good pizza. I've got yoga til 8.30 on Wednesday so not sure I'll have enough energy to join you afterwards, but will try. If not, enjoy! Nadia

Great idea, particularly the bit about the wine ;-) I could do Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday post yoga (i.e. from 9pm), or Friday. Lovely to see those of you who were out on Sunday afternoon and looking forward to the next get together! Nadia x

Great! see you all then! bringing blankets, food and drink sounds like a good plan Claudine. If everyone else is bringing their boys then I might try and drag mine along too. Audrey I feel like I've been pregnant a gazillion years too and I've got another 14 weeks to go!! also I've got really achey ribs at the moment - anyone else? I'm finding it hard to sit still, and even harder to work... especially as I look out of the window at the beautiful weather! 11 weeks to go before I go on mat leave... Nadia x

I'm free on May 8th or could do an evening! Not on maternity leave until early July I'm afraid... Anya keep me posted on any pilates sessions in May, would love to come! N x