snowboarder

Yes - for really small ones things like a playmat, a gym (our fisherprice rainforest one has now entertained 2 babies), textured materials, a lambskin to lie on, a nice bouncy chair or swing are all good. Jumperoos and bumbos etc all come a bit later at 4/5m plus!

Really hoping copleston play group is on - can anyone confirm?

happydulwich Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- just waiting for my two year > old to get it! We had 2 weeks exactly between first spots appearing on biggest and on baby. Am SO glad its over with though!

We were lucky actually - maybe because both so young (2 and 10m) they didn't really seem to suffer with itching. I had a whole trawl of stuff though - virasoothe/piriton/calpol (dunno why calpol!). Does seem to vary massively in severity.

I think they say 5 days after the last spot appears....or when they have all scabbed/crusted over. I think took 2/3 days for full coverage in each case with my two...

Whilst house layout etc obviously affects your decision - so does the character of your child! We got gates with my older son but have hardly used them, he was steady and good at going up and down and threw a fit if they were shut. Now our 11m old has decided he has one mission in life and that is to climb the stairs - and his brother leaves doors open to aid his path. Also unlike older boy, the little one is not steady and seems unable to 'get' the turn round and go down backwards trick - have been trying to teach him since he learnt to crawl at 8m. Maybe just wait and see? Most of our childproofing tricks were retro fitted. For us cupboard locks were essential...fire guard not at all...etc..

Are the gardens open now?

By the horniman sandpit? Dunno mine have been crying about the cold all week, don't think I dare take them out in actual snow....

As a note - I find this position works but causes extreme anger from the changee - benefit is at least you can do it quick. And humph re toddling up with the mat - my big boy who shouldn't still be in nappies still does a runner when he needs a change.

As above. For the last 2 years my son (and now his brother too) sleeps from 1-3. We've loved using the 1 o'clock club in the summer when it opens in the mornings, but never can make the afternoon sessions, and by the time we could the boys will probably be too old... Obviously I don't want to see it go, but find it hard to actively support something that is only open during most (I know not all) toddlers nap time.

Did you try Peppermint in Clapham? Have seen them there in the past...

I agree - I wouldn't leave my 2.10 yr old and his friends in a room together with a load of toys unsupervised. It would a)be carnage and b)toy politics can result in big fights atm!

Unbelievably baby snowboarder 2 is coming up to his first birthday. We had a lovely party upstairs at the mag for his big brothers first, but unsure what to do this time! All his pals come with associated 2/3 yr old siblings, so would they just hijack any party anyway? I kind of feel mean not doing a party (photos/memories/not fair etc!) but can't think what to do. Any ideas? What did you do? We don't have a lot of room at home. And big brother will be 3 in April so will probably do something for him too!

Anyone know what time it opens? Thanks...

Bugaboo has their own buggy board which (if you get a newer model) fits the bee. Are you talking about lascal maxi and mini ones? I have not tried these on my bee but I believe the maxi is the more universal of the two.

For what it's worth, although not being interested in singing or coming along (sadly my 'humming' not v good!) I think it's an awesome name!! Can't believe people are not coming because of it...

Yep the bugaboo one I know is fine with the seat in either position - only warning - your toddler will spend their entire time tickling/fiddling/poking the baby. Sometimes this is great....sometimes not!

So true! Now with 'only' two children I sometimes wonder what on earth caused me to make so much fuss when there was just the one, and now when I just have one or other with me it seems easy. But GOD it wasn't at the time when there was only one!

Ok feeling a bit more motivated now - fidgetsmum I like your style - I have to not rely on 'exercise' although it would be nice to get out once in a while! Hmming about ww - maybe I should try again? I just found inputting your food a complete fag - especially when you had made sthg like bolognaise - I never weigh or measure anything so I found I could be getting a completely false picture. Will take another look. Am going to have to get husband on board to or it will never work. I strongly suspect he thinks he's having fish and chips tonight...

All excuses in general have no logic though. 'No, mummy, I don't want those grapes, it's too WINDY.' Yup.

Defo an age thing. The other night - 'get that sock out of my bed' - there was no sock.

HS - we are on the toast diet too now - just thought I'd share! Any light at the end of the tunnel?

OK, so, the thing about phil and teds is you can get second hand ones really easily, they are pretty good for a newborn and toddler, and for an older baby who doesn't need to recline much and toddler. They are not great if your baby is big and outgrows the lie flat/cocoon early. And they are weighted such that they are pretty heavy (in comparison with side by sides) to lift up kerbs etc. They are fine if you really think your toddler will walk mostly, but even so they are hard work when baby is 4-7/8m, in my opinion. There are other tandems - there is the Britax B Dual (not tried it, seems quite good value, have heard bad reports about the seat units not being very supportive), the Icandys (crazy expensive and small seats), the Baby Jogger City Select (super hard to lift up kerbs with toddler in front), and the new promenade (looks good but about ?700 I think), to name a few of the mainstream ones. Mountain Buggy do a version similar to the phil and teds but it seems to have all the same issues (maybe worse?). If you're not using the bus and have room in your house side by sides are great in terms of comfort and you don't compromise in terms of seating - both children can lie flat or sit upright - hurrah! But they are wide and have a more limited life, obviously. The baby jogger sidewalk is kiddycare's inferior version of the baby jogger city mini. Just really check widths, I have the Mountain Buggy duet and it is the ONLY side by side that will fit in my house, and at 63cm wide is actually narrower overall than the inline britax bdual. And as an aside I fit on the bus fine with the duet, and another buggy can fit too. Basically there probably is no perfect solution. I had a phil and teds and my baby hated the cocoon and the back seat, so I then got the mountain buggy to see us through our double days. My age gap is smaller than yours though (22m) so I have needed a double for longer. My toddler is now 2yr10m and I can see him walking/buggy boarding/scooting more and more, especially as the weather gets better, but I have certainly needed a double both for just getting to the park and putting toddler somewhere safe when dealing with baby. Also whilst I love slings I hate wearing one and pushing a buggy/dealing with a stroppy toddler on a scooter/buying/sitting having a coffee, so that solution didn't ever work for me. Hope that helps!

Well come month 10 and it ain't. The baby weight that is. I need some ideas to get me into and exercise and better eating regime. Eating I suppose if I put my mind to it can sort out - just somehow need to get inspired. Signed up to ww online a bit ago but there's NO way I can fill in the food diary/points palaver. Exercise is v tricky in terms of time. Am at home with 2 children under 3. Husband leaves around 8am and often back post 8pm, so gym etc not really an option, and by bedtime I'm pretty much asleep standing up. Still bf youngest so physically too much jumping around isn't great gravity wise! Exercise (running and hockey) always used to be my way of keeping the pounds off rather than dieting but my day already starts around 6/6.30 so just don't know how to fit it in! Please I somehow need to get myself sorted out. Every time I catch sight of myself in the mirror I pretty much want to cry - and yet I just polished off a discarded pack of chocolate buttons. ARGH!

Do you use the bus or car a lot? Is width an issue? Do you want parent facing for either child? Preference for tandem or side by side? SO many options!