snowboarder

The monkey clock we have does all that you ask - but it is a bit babyish maybe and sleep trainer like (monkey awake/asleep). And I would totally steer clear of it - it TICKS, loudly. It was banished after only one night by Z (after he spent all night letting me know that monkey was STILL asleep).

Or a drink? Carton of juice with a straw?

Absolutely!

I had a fair bit of recurrent pain this time round between about 3/4m and 7m - it basically vanished as soon as I put baby in his own room and stopped feeding him lying down all night. I thought my pain was blockages and over supply issues, and these have disappeared completely now feeding is more regular (some nights he would feed all night, others not so much). I def found lying down feeding contributed to problems. None of this is in the least bit scientific, and may not apply to you at all - basically I think I'm trying to say I think bad positioning caused it...but I'm not sure....

Pickle you don't have to drink alcohol!! Tsk these kiwis....

Hurrah! My local too!

I actually think the 6 weeks thing is sort of urban myth and standard 'recovery' time advice - I spoke to my insurance co and they had no guidance on it at all. I felt fine to drive (well considerably more fine than hefting double buggy on bus) so did after 2 weeks. Just make sure you check I suppose.

VIP/Snowline = all one company now...

Absolutely. My days are long and I can't wait for the weekend and a bit of company! I have always thought that the weekends must be hard when you are on your own with children - whenever mr snowboarder has been away I have struggled as don't want to interrupt others 'family' time. At least during the week there are activities etc! But I suppose you somewhat adapt to your circumstances...

Yay. Good for me!

I did get a single room after my baby was born in february - I thought I had just lucked out but actually it was because we had to stay in a week as the baby wasn't well - so poison chalice!! It made all the difference though - I would totally have lost it on the ward (last time was there for nearly a week too so know how you feel..). If it looks like you might be in a couple of days absolutely worth making a fuss.

Ah will watch this with interest!! I've heard from friends that Mark Warner are fab for childcare, and I've been with friends with children (pre own children!) with a chalet company called vip chalets who have in chalet nannies - I think there are a number of companies that do this...and some do weeks with free nanny if you want to go say mid january. Sadly think is all v expensive. I am desperate to go.... Oh - isn't Scott Dunn a specialist family ski company? Ooh and you can search on the Ski Club site for family specialist companies.... PLease don't get me all excited...we cannot afford it....(*goes off to search for budget family friendly skiing....*)

They are def not supposed to chew the necklaces. Mine never have... the baby wouldn't be able to!

Oh yes - I have the duet!! It's pretty good - but as you have said - there is no perfect buggy! To answer your queries - yes I have been on a bus with it - it is fine and there is room for you and another buggy BUT the driver does need to let you on the back doors really - tricky otherwise. And it feels AMAZINGLY light - both pushing and up kerbs - but I never fold it/put in car etc and I think it is heavy then. I def prefer it to my phil and teds for now - both seats can recline and my baby is much happier. My points of caution are that the seats are not the most generous (obv!) but my chunky 2.5 yr old is fine in it. ALso the toddler fusses about with the baby and sometimes stops him sleeping - that's annoying! I am also thinking that really it's only going to last me until next spring or so as my 2.5 yr old is keen on walking - I expect I'll get the p&t out again then so can use as a single with older one hopping in and out - so I suppose think about how long you're actually going to need a full time double for. I have to keep the maclaren on hand for single trips, which I suppose not so necessary with the p&t. Not used the baby jogger double (have had a single though and fab) - it's supposed to be good but wider than the mountain buggy though - so not sure about buses. Hope that helps. Happy to engineer a meet or sthg if you want to have a play with mine!

And remember their little hands always feel ICY but doesn't mean they're cold - I think you feel their neck? My 7m old had cold hands this morning for the first time but didn't seem bothered. Baby had a vest, sleepsuit and 2.5 grobag last night. Mr snowboarder put the 2.5yr old to be so I found him in summer pj's and a 1 grobag....he is a little radiator though so I think he was fine!!

Godstone Farm is nice and not too far. Not sure about lunch options - the cafe there is fine but not 'lovely'!!

I remember looking at the jelly belly classes early post c section this yr - but they are all during the day I think - v tricky if you have an older child too. An evening/weekend option (post bed time!!) would be awesome.

I had one in Feb (and one in 2009) - is that too long ago?!? I'd love to do something to sort myself out - were you thinking daytime or evenings?

They def work with mothercare onesies - I have a few - got them from the Nappy Lady (as in the company!) but I think a lot of cloth nappy websites have them. Size of vest doesn't seem to matter....

Umm ok shall we start a new Family Room drinks thread....so as not to get caught up in the cool (or not) mums debate... ps thursday's good for me!!

I have just shifted my 7m old out of my room into his big cot - until now he's been next to me in his 'bednest' which has been fab - large crib which can fix to the side of your bed and have one side down. So easy for night feeds etc - I literally have never had to get up/out of bed. I really have never particularly been into co-sleeping but this has been great. We had an old moses basket for downstairs sleeping, and also a bouncy chair which laid flat and a swing in the kitchen. I actually found with baby 2 having something to put them in in every room was fab - swing/bouncy chair etc - because you do just have to dump them down sometimes and also want them near you - I could not leave the baby in the moses basket with toddler and feel comfortable going into the kitchen to do lunch etc.

Apart from the animals bit you just described me...

God no the babies can stay at home sleeping/with Daddy!! Have to eat or will fall over after 1 glass of wine. Weeknight or friday/sat?? I think I'd go for a weeknight personally...

The Mag? Always seems to have room for a group? And does food if needed...

Time for a family room drinks? Open to all cool or not?!?