Indiana

We too have chicken pox - Annabel is almost through it buy I suspect Freddie will develop it in the next week - like you guys Amber! So - we can't meet today though we are going for a walk in Dulwich Park instead to get some fresh air.....going a bit stir crazy after 5 days indoors!

Our daughter was also potty trained just after she was two, we then put her in pull-ups at night when she was 3 but they kept leaking so we went back to nappies. We delayed tackling it too as we had a new baby 4 months ago, however we started it last week by letting her have her last drink with tea (and converting this from water to milk). She then has a wee after her stories, and just before she goes to sleep. Only one accident in almost 2 weeks (and she didn't even wake - we just noticed a wet patch in the morning!) It helps that she is 3 and a bit so we were able to have a conversation about it, and she was keen to be dry to be a 'big girl'!

Typical of DMC I am afraid - I am currently moving due to these exact issues. I hear 306 Medical centre on Lordship Lane is good.

I too like this cafe with my toddler and baby - especially after Diddidance!

We went on Thursday with two 3 year olds. Well organised and on time - they loved it. I know it's slightly expensive but we didn't mind as it saved a trip into town and we were there over an hour in the end. They loved decorating the gingerbread men and having their face painted.

We are thinking the same thing and have been recommended the Sensatori hotel in Tenerife by a couple of friends with kids/babies...you can book via Thomson. We are thinking of going in March when it should be about 22 - 25 degrees apparently.

Can anyone who has visited the grotto tell us whether it was any good?

We have a 4 week old and a 3 year old and for various reasons are considering getting a night nanny for a few weeks. can anyone give us a good recommendation? Many thanks in advance!

Amber - yes, I realised too ( though neither of them mentioned it at the gardens?!) I was doing a party bag for 'Otis' that afternoon and was wondering if he was the same one! Our nannies are mates it seems... See you hopefully tomorrow!

Caroline - we do Diddi Dance too now but on a Friday - at the Christ Church on Barry Road (hence why I have also discovered the Bread of Life)...Annabel really likes it too! Amber - I bumped into Otis (and his new nanny?) a few weeks ago coming out of the 10am Diddi dance class? We do the 11am on Fridays now. I hope to make it tomorrow too - as long as I have an ok-ish night! Louise

Amber/Caroline - starting to feel a bit more 'with it' now Freddie is 3 weeks old (!) - unfortunately Mondays are not great for the next few weeks as I have my best pal here next Monday and my mum the Monday after Next Tuesday or Wednesday I am free though and Annabel is at nursery which makes it a bit easier - if anyone is up for a meet up? Louise

Hi everyone - I live right near the old jacks cafe on Pellatt Road and although it is a lovely new cafe (Captured in the Rye) it's really not suitable for a babies meet as it is tiny tiny - no room for a pushchair. Its not very glamourous but I have recently discovered the Bread of Life cafe located in the church on Barry road near dulwich Library (opp the Plough pub car park). Its big, welcomes babies etc and has inexpensive food and cakes...plenty of room for buggies. Might be an idea...? Now Freddie is 3 weeks old I hope to make it along again soon Louise

We had that a little while ago with our almost 3 year old. She had a slight cough, and we figured she was coughing after her milk in her sleep, and the mucus was making her throw up. It passed after a couple of nights....

My daughter is lucky to go to Gumboots and I think it is great. They spend plenty of time outdoors and also in the little garden. Also - have you looked at the weekly menus which are posted up? Their diet is very varied and they now email parents the menu on a 2-weekly basis so you can keep an exact track on what your chid is eating.

Hey girls, We didn't make today as Freddie was born on Saturday afternoon! 9 lb 2 oz (2 lb bigger than Annabel was!) and we are all doing well. I had forgotten how hungry and relentless newborns are so pretty tired but enjoying the newborn cuddles again. Hope everyone is doing well and hope to see you once the fog has cleared a little! Mondays and Fridays are my days with both of them so happy to arrange a few toddler/ baby play dates in a few weeks time for those days.... Louise

Congrats Sarah on Molly Rose - glad all good now. I am still waiting this end - I don't think I will make the park tomorrow as I am not good walking in the afternoon (lots of pelvic pain when he grinds/moves around in the afternoon). I am hoping it's a good sign! I will try and drop in on Monday at the cafe, unless the boy makes an appearance before then - I am now 5 days overdue according to scan dates (though I think I am in fact due tomorrow). Sweep booked for Tuesday.. Louise

We are looking for some March sun for us and 3 year old and 5 month baby. I have heard good stuff about this hotel resort - it's part of the Gran Melia group but known as the Sensatori via Thomson. anyone been and have comments? Thanks

Hey girls, I am still waiting for my number two to arrive - due this Sunday but no big signs yet - so may see you Monday at the cafe! Nats - Fridays is my other day with both in tow (when he finally arrives)....we could do park/playdate Friday afternoons after 3pm ish (nap) to keep the older ones occupied? Others with toddlers in tow welcome (Amber?). Might be a few weeks though before I can do it depending on the arrival. Kate - hope you feel better Louise (and Annabel)

I am also with Sodexho and also looked at this issue. My understanding from looking at the website and the Q&A was that they do expire after 15 - 18 months (the electronic ones too) but you can get them extended if need be? Probably best to call their helpline - here is the link to the Q&A from my website (run my sodexho) re the expiry: https://www.saycarevouchers.co.uk/index/parent-benefits-and-savings/parents-faqs/parents-faqs-about-cc-vouchers#do-vouchers-have-an-expiry-date

I went to a large normal-ish state school in a suburban part of Surrey in the early 1990s. At 14/15 a small handful of girls were definitely dating older boys. Although most (as per above posts) were 2 or 3 years older, a fairly good friend of mine was dating a 28 year old at 14/15. We all thought it was mildly 'cool', but equally a bit odd given the big age gap. However, the last time I saw her (in our early/mid twenties) she was still with him. He certainly didn't hang around our school gates, they had met in a pub (and presumably he thought she was older initially, but he certainly knew she was a GCSE schoolgirl very quickly). When I was then in my mid/late twenties I sometimes thought about that situation and how disturbed I would be if one of my bloke friends started seeing a 15 year old! Also - another friend was regularly going clubbing at 14 to London, and was pursued by various z-list celebs including a famous Eastenders actor who was probably close to 40 at the time...yuck.

Sorry - pressed 'Post' before finished! Was just going to add it might be worth calling your surgery to see if they have got supplies in and how they are dealing with it - ie a walk in clinic or individual appointments. Also - I think they are giving it to those over 38 weeks too to try and pass on immunity in the time we have left... Louise

Hi girls, Congrats to Fiona on the birth of Esme - very pleased for you! For those of us still waiting - have you heard about the new government directive re Whooping Cough vaccine for pregnant women? Due to a spike in cases they are now offering the vaccine to all pregnant ladies between 28-38 weeks to try and then pass on some immunity to the unborn baby. I called my surgery (DMC crystal palace rd) 10 days ago as soon as I read about it as I was almost 37 weeks by then. No one had heard of it and no supplies had at that stage been sent - I think the government had published the advice before communicating fully with surgeries/ midwives etc Anyhow - they called me Friday and invited me in for a quick jab with the practice nurse. I also bumped into another Autumn mum to be who was having it at the same time.

Congratulations Caroline! I hope all going well. I should be able to make it again this Monday, though I may be a bit late as I have the boiler man in (getting all the household chores done before baby no 2 comes!) I will have my almost 3 year old with me again but she enjoyed the last meet with Kate (and Charlie) and Rachel (and William). See you then Louise

I should be able to make it too - morning works for me though be warned I will have my 2 year old in tow! If Dish and Spoon closed we could try The Gardens cafe - 1030 am? Louise

Congratulations Kate - was a 37 week birth a bit of a surprise? I know I won't be ready so I need to get organised just in case! I finish work tomorrow, but then off to Cornwall so I can't make the 24th. However I could meet the following Monday 1st October if anyone fancies a coffee - I will however have my 2 year old in tow as she doesn't have nursery/nanny on Mondays. Louise