Dec 08 Mums - Introducing our new joiners, TrudyV and Al Fresco...

[Beans33]

Hope this is ok? Thought it was subtle enough for the wider MN and not offensive!!

WG I've added a few things on your FB post but just one other thing. Don't get everything out as soon as you get to your seat. Let the seat belt fastening, looking around scoping out the plane and other passengers, take off & finally watching for the seat belt light to go off (that last one may just be my boys being easily amused) be the first playtime, distraction. Then when they are starting to look bored of that and the plane has leveled off, take them for a little walk of the plane, then get stuff out. It's a bit of a pita trying to get out from under toys and kids mags if you need to go to the loo so do that walk early on.

Gosh Urbs hope your ok with all this BP stuff. Any nausea? Very interesting on the empathy stuff. DS1 is incredibly empathetic, he cries in most movies. Nemo was a nightmare. Oh gotta go will write more later.

I do feel sick vag yes - and actually have been sick for the first time this pg. Is that more worrying do you think?

Sorry Urbs the nausea question was completely separate from the BP ishoo. I only asked because of your previous history. I was actually thinking if your not maybe you should be carbing up just in case it starts up. And if you are feeling nauseas, then maybe its time I bought shares in Coco-pops.

On the empathy thing, that book looks interesting. A friend remarked on DS1's empathy once, and its something I'm proud of in him, but I also worry as he gets so upset if he thinks he has upset us, or of other people are upset. I know I'm the same (I've never been good with working in oncology as I cry everytime the parents cry) but I don't remember being as intense as he was as a kid. Thankfully his school has picked up on it and are really channeling it into a positive thing. They get him to help settle in the new kids & also use it as a mentorship type skill. As he really feels and understands what the new little kids are going through he is quite sweet and patient with them.

Nice one on the riverside beer. I had a lakeside liquor coffee yesteday.

I bought yet another bike today. My mummybike is quite heavy so we can't take it away on trips as the car would break under the weight of it on the towbar, and I wouldn't take my racing bike as she is too beautiful and I can't put a child seat on her. So I have picked up a cheapy lightweight basic MTB second hand. That brings our total bike count to 7, 3 each and one for DS1. He will need a new one soon too, so then we will have 8.

Sorry very bad grammar, I meant I don't remember being as intense and empathetic as a kid, as DS1 is now.

at cocopops. I had been taking the approach that I needed to eat for britain just in case i got sick, but I think will need to reign back a bit. Am 5-6kg heavier than normal already. Will pop the book in the post to you vag when i've finished it if you like. Your DS1 is such a lovely boy. Sounds very sensible things that the school are doing. I think if you were ever worried about it then it would be helping him to find ways to separate some of the empathy into sympathy. But in general can only really be a good thing, especially for a boy.

And I think there must be something in empathy helping you to be so good at your job. I know when DD was sick (and nothing like oncology issues obviously) I felt much more supported by the Drs and nurses who were obviously more emotionally invested in it all and could see how worried we were. Must be exhausting though.

Hurrah for new bike . We're taking our bikes on holiday with us and am hoping that will kick start us into using them a bit more - DD is pretty good on the balance bike now, and we bought DS this for his birthday and he loves it. Need to prod DH to sort his bike out and think he can get seat for the baby.

Has been very lovely this weekend as for our wedding anniversary I bought DH a junior cricket bat for DS and some cricket balls. I know - odd present - but we have this thing where we have to stick to the traditional theme, and this anniversary was wood . The two of them have spent practically the whole weekend in the garden with it and I could hear DS pestering to go out and play lots. DH was so happy about it. Also has enthused DS for cricket in general as he was watching the Test while DH was cooking their lunch and running out to tell him that "a ball had gone to the boundary for 4". . We'd only got to the hospital steps after our 20 week scan before DH asked how old the baby would be before he could play cricket. Turns out 4.

Trudy how was the drive? Did your nerves stand it? I think you are the only one with resident skids unless I have missed something (always possible).

Spot how was your child-free weekend?

Hello girls

just popping on briefly before a proper post tomorrow - would anyone like a CHarlie and Lola UV suit age 3 -4 (but quite small)? T has one which she has outgrown, and I'd rather it went to a pal than the charity shop (which is getting 2 black sack fulls tomorrow as well!) If so, just let me know and I'll pop it in the post.

Am now off to watch Popstar to Operastar with a glass of wine. Back later.

Hope you are well and have had a lovely sunday

Oh, whilst I was away, everyone did their lovely posts to introduce the rest of their families. Could someone please add me to the list as I can't cut on phone:

Lucy 4th April 2005
Tilly 19th March 2007
Matthew 1st Dec 2008

We all have middle names but they are family ones so I'll leave them off. Nice to see everyone else's families.

Right, reality beckons.

JollyBear
5/12/08 Lucy Evelyn 6lb 13
24/02/11 Juliet Elizabeth 4lb 6 7 weeks early.

Beans - 2 DDs
06.12.08 - DD1 - Isabella Sarah - 6lbs 13oz
20.06.10 - DD2 - Prudence Emily - 6lbs 13oz

Nolda - 1DD, 1 DS
05.07.06 - DD - Katie Elizabeth - 9lbs 8oz
14.12.08 - DS - Edwin George - 9lbs 15oz

Traceface - 2 DDs
01.07.04 - Lucy Faith - 3lbs 2oz
11.12.08 - Phoebe Martha - 7lbs 3oz

TrudyV - 1DD, 1DS
25.03.02 - DD - Polly Sophie
30.12.08 - DS - Maximilian Richard James - 10lb 4oz

Waitinggirl - 2 DDs
25.12.08 - DD1 Rosanna (Rosie) Annelie - 7obs 10oz
24.02.11 - DD2 Georgia Emily - 7lbs 5oz

Vagolajahooli
17/08/05 - DS1- Alexander Jei Lib - 8lb 2oz
13/12/08 - DS2- Jordan Leong An - 8lb 1oz

Spotofcheerfulness - 2DSs
17/12/08 - DS1 - Thomas Dean - 7lbs 8oz
29/12/10 - DS2 - William (Billy) Dean - 8lbs 2oz

ZuleikaJambiere - 1DD
22/12/08 - Eloise Frances - 6lb7oz

DeidreBarlow
18/08/06 - DD Daisy
24/11/08 - DS Harry

Effieperrine
William Joseph Duncan 8/10/2006 7 lb 6 oz (I think! 3.3 kg)
Maximilian Daniel Charles 1/1/2009 8 lb 10 oz

Rubena
10/12/08 Benjamin Thomas Andrew 7lb 12oz
26/07/10 Alexandra Grace Olivia 6lb 14oz

Jumpjockey
1/12/08 Sarah Kirstin 7lb 3oz
14/1/11 (1 month early) Eleanor Athene 6lb 11oz

Urbanewarrior
20/01/07 Isaac William 7lbs 5 oz
29/11/08 Nancy Elizabeth 6lbs 5 oz
DC3 due 07/12/11 woo hoo

SummerLightning
25/12/08 Edmund William 6lbs 10oz
11/08/10 Helen Elizabeth 8lbs 1oz

JamInMyWellies
03/06/07 Archie James 8lbs 3oz
17/12/08 Lachlan David 9lbs 5oz

LadyThompson
25/11/08 Octavia Poppy Alice 6lbs 12oz
29/09/10 Dahlia Persephone Hope 6lbs 10oz

poisondwarf
31/3/07 Marv!n James 6lb 15
6/12/08 Nina Camille 6lb 12

sybilfaulty
4th April 2005 Lucy
19th March 2007 Tilly
1st Dec 2008 Matthew

And Sybs if no one else wants it then I'd love the C&L suit - have lost DS's old one that I was going to stick DD in this summer.

Hello ladies,

Long time no post. We have recently returned from a great week in Pembrokeshire (where abouts are you going ZJ?). We went with friends who have two girls the same age as ours and it was perfect: kids played together, adults laughed together, all good. Well mainly all good, DD2 is hugely clingy to me at the mo. I mean terribly so. I can't even leave her with DH and pop to the corner shop without screaming tantrums. Really not sure what to do about it. I worry it's a sign that she has attachment issues.

I've tried to catch-up but forgotten most things. I'll post properly when not on the phone. Meanwhile can someone add my girls to the list?

Aug 2006 - Anna Matilda
Dec 2008 - Nina Rose

And break it down into really small bits rather than thinking you've got x hours with no help in front of you.

• Urbs this sounds like really good advice on a daily basis! Hope the crisps and laccy stockings are doing the trick. With DD I lived on chocolate milk and rice crispies, and with DS I cut out a step and just pigged coco pops DD had a bike sorted out for her this weekend, as the last one - passed on my from our friend C whose daughter B's it was - rusted away to nothing. This one used to be SD's, was passed on to C's daughter B and has now come back down to DD, all very pleasing. It has loads of gears and suspension, so DD is thrilled. DS has a balance bike too and loves it. He had it upside down on the garage floor yesterday and was "fixing" it, aww. The cricket thing is so sweet.

The drive was okay actually. He stuck to the speed limit (which was slightly hairy on the 60mph bits ), was careful at junctions and concentrated really well. He drove in the hedge once or twice but that was about it.

Had great news today. My favourite uncle, who usually lives abroad, is in the country for a few weeks and is suggested a family gathering in a fortnight. Really can't wait to see him. We had to miss the last one and I really minded! I have a huge family on my father's side and they're a lovely bunch so I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone The only downside is that my uncle's next posting is Bahrain and I'm quite worried about him. We first heard about it last year and it sounded like yet another cushy posting, but obviously since then things have changed dramatically.

JollyBear
5/12/08 Lucy Evelyn 6lb 13
24/02/11 Juliet Elizabeth 4lb 6 7 weeks early.

Beans - 2 DDs
06.12.08 - DD1 - Isabella Sarah - 6lbs 13oz
20.06.10 - DD2 - Prudence Emily - 6lbs 13oz

Nolda - 1DD, 1 DS
05.07.06 - DD - Katie Elizabeth - 9lbs 8oz
14.12.08 - DS - Edwin George - 9lbs 15oz

Traceface - 2 DDs
01.07.04 - Lucy Faith - 3lbs 2oz
11.12.08 - Phoebe Martha - 7lbs 3oz

TrudyV - 1DD, 1DS
25.03.02 - DD - Polly Sophie
30.12.08 - DS - Maximilian Richard James - 10lb 4oz

Waitinggirl - 2 DDs
25.12.08 - DD1 Rosanna (Rosie) Annelie - 7obs 10oz
24.02.11 - DD2 Georgia Emily - 7lbs 5oz

Vagolajahooli
17/08/05 - DS1- Alexander Jei Lib - 8lb 2oz
13/12/08 - DS2- Jordan Leong An - 8lb 1oz

Spotofcheerfulness - 2DSs
17/12/08 - DS1 - Thomas Dean - 7lbs 8oz
29/12/10 - DS2 - William (Billy) Dean - 8lbs 2oz

ZuleikaJambiere - 1DD
22/12/08 - Eloise Frances - 6lb7oz

DeidreBarlow
18/08/06 - DD Daisy
24/11/08 - DS Harry

Effieperrine
William Joseph Duncan 8/10/2006 7 lb 6 oz (I think! 3.3 kg)
Maximilian Daniel Charles 1/1/2009 8 lb 10 oz

Rubena
10/12/08 Benjamin Thomas Andrew 7lb 12oz
26/07/10 Alexandra Grace Olivia 6lb 14oz

Jumpjockey
1/12/08 Sarah Kirstin 7lb 3oz
14/1/11 (1 month early) Eleanor Athene 6lb 11oz

Urbanewarrior
20/01/07 Isaac William 7lbs 5 oz
29/11/08 Nancy Elizabeth 6lbs 5 oz
DC3 due 07/12/11 woo hoo

SummerLightning
25/12/08 Edmund William 6lbs 10oz
11/08/10 Helen Elizabeth 8lbs 1oz

JamInMyWellies
03/06/07 Archie James 8lbs 3oz
17/12/08 Lachlan David 9lbs 5oz

LadyThompson
25/11/08 Octavia Poppy Alice 6lbs 12oz
29/09/10 Dahlia Persephone Hope 6lbs 10oz

poisondwarf
31/3/07 Marv!n James 6lb 15
6/12/08 Nina Camille 6lb 12

sybilfaulty
4th April 2005 Lucy
19th March 2007 Tilly
1st Dec 2008 Matthew

Aug 2006 - Anna Matilda
Dec 2008 - Nina Rose

There you go Arti.

Urbs that bike looks brilliant, DS will love it.

Hi Sybs.

Hello Trudy. Lovely news on the family reunion, but sad you are so worried about the placement. What does he do, does he have kids?

He's in the diplomatic service. Yes, they have a family but away at university in the UK so nearly grown up and safely over here. All his postings before have been lovely and the family has flocked over, we've never worried about him before, so this is a new experience.

Gosh I can understand why you are concerned. I'm sure he'll be fine, her majesty will look after him.

I'm just watching a news item on the retired Japanese nuclear workers are volunteering to go in and sort out the broken reactor because they are old and don't mind if they get cancer but don't want younger people to get cancers. How amazing us that!

Yo yo! I am afraid I can't even begin to do a catch up, but saw y ou'd been ill, Urbs - hope you're ok now?

Devon was lovely. We were so lucky with the weather - it was like a little pocket of mediterranean in the middle of rain on other side. Sharing a room with the littles wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. They weren't in bed before 7.30 once and I put all routine for DD2 out of the window and it worked brilliantly. M&D looked after them both every morning from 10-11 while DH and I played tennis. It was ace. DD2 was usually so exhausted by then that she slept in the pram, so Dad could look after her while Mum took DD1 off for a potter. We did loads of swimming in outdoor pool and we're all now brown little berries. DD2 has the blondest little mop. It's v sweet. And she has such dark skin. Lucky girl.

Dad was ok. Got a bit low about not being able to do much. He went paddling in the sea a bit. His leg muscles gave way a few times and he fell a bit. One day he fell by the side of the pool and nearly went in. I think he was absolutely mortified and humiliated and I helped him onto a sun lounger, where he started sobbing with fury and how much he hated himself at the moment. Poor poor chap. Makes me a bit weepy thinking about it. But most of the time, he was ok. Just a bit bored of not joining in, when he is massive action man.

DH was a wonder. When we arrived on Weds, after staying at friends for night, I was in a filthy mood. DH was due to join us around 9.30 that night and I'd had zero sleep on Tues night because the DDs wouldn't sleep at all and were up twice an hour between them. So was just exhausted after not enough sleep for weeks and weeks. I just felt completely drained and miserable. Girls had just started to only wake once or twice a night and suddenly I upped sticks and went on holiday and I felt so desperate! Anyway, DH surprised us by taking a half day of holiday and arrived at 4.30pm. Was heavenly. And I was a TOTAL bitch to him. Just vile and grumpy. He did supper bath and bed and I relaxed completely. Was much nicer the next day as he did the nighttime screams as well. Was great.

Trudy - I hope your uncle is ok. V worrying for you.

Anyway, am neglecting my DDs, must go. And also need to make monster shopping list!!

Good to be back. xx

Hi all,
Had loads to say but probably forgotten most of it now.
I wonder how spots weekend has/is going! Hope mum was ok with the littles spot and you had a nice time.

rubes you made me laugh with TT. On that front DS has finally done a couple of wees in the potty and seems quite proud of himself. So we may go for it when we are back from holiday (mid July). Or I may wait until I am back at work (September) and make nursery do more of the work. Am not really in a hurry anyway.

On bikes, DS has an Islabikes balance bike and he totally loves it. It has been a big success. At what age can they be ready for a bike with pedals? 4? Or earlier?

Have been categorising all the brio related stuff we have, how sad is that? We have soooo much of it. I blame nolda. nolda I loved those little videos, so did DS. Have seen similar ones before but not those ones. Oh and nolda we got most of our stuff quite cheap off ebay as we looked for collection only auctions near us, I got a massive binliner of stuff for 20 quid that would have gone for way more if it had been posted out (and categorised properly - it had loads of electronically controlled stuff in it which wasn't mentioned). i am now trying to buy bits off ebay as well, just to ensure it takes over our whole house complete our collection.

Oh on the travelling, I'm after any tips too, for going on the flight to vancouver, I won't be on my own though. We are planning on taking our own car seats as they are so expensive to hire out there is this a bad idea? (I see you can take them as part of your included luggage). We will have quite a lot of stuff, but I was assuming would be ok with a trolley. Getting excited, can't wait! Oh also what makes of toys are English and hard to get abroad, I want to get something for our friends who we will be staying with's little girl.
Also any specific suggestions for party bag tat style stuff to wrap up and keep them entertained?

trudy loving the stories of SS learning to drive. DH loves teaching people to drive, I think he would have made a good driving instructor. I on the other hand would be petrified. I am dreading either of mine wanting a scooter or motorbike - have either of yours expressed an interest?

I love the new list by the way! I was convinced that urbs DS was called Marvin and was very confused until poisondwarf (name in full due to bold not liking two letter words) came on and updated the list and I realised I was getting their DC's confused...in fact I never knew your DS's name urbs. Also I don't think I am FB friends with either of you, will add you if you don't mind!

Oh you know I said DS had dropped his nap, well he started having it again - usually but he won't go to sleep by himself in his bed, so usually in the car or pushchair. Yesterday we went without for the first time in a while, and after dinner he was whinging and crying quite badly. This was at 6pm, and I noticed his eyes were drooping. So DH gave him a cuddle and he immediately fell asleep on DH, and was impossible to rouse! How weird is that!

And DD has been sleeping through (ish) until last night when she woke at 4. I tried to get her back to sleep without milk but she was having none of it. Hmmm...sure she doesn't need it as she eats way more than DS. Honestly I've never seen anything like it, my friend has nicknamed her Nunu as she inhales food just like the vaccuum cleaner off teletubbies apparently!
But at least i know she can do it. May speak to HV but suspect that they will tell me to let her cry and I am not convinced that is worth the pain as I think she'll get there on her own fairly soon. I reckon it might be the birds waking her up, they make such a racket at the moment from about 4! Anyway waffle waffle boring (sorry for going on when I know it's not that bad really) rubes how is your DD sleeping going?

I hope jj has been getting some more sleep!

Right gotta go, I think DD has done and exploding poo, lovely.

xposts with beans, your poor Dad, I hope he is more himself soon. Must be v frustrating for him.
And hurrah for Mr Beans saving the day - don't blame you for being grumpy on that little sleep though!

Beans that sounds so upsetting about your dad - is it rude/insensitive of me to ask what's wrong? Your 'action man' comment made me think he must be like my own father who is constantly zooming around and loves looking after the smalls (I'm an only child so P&M are the only grandchildren). I dread to think how he would handle any form of immobility - it was bad enough when he got gout last year - but he's 70 this year so I know he must begin to slow down at some point, surely, hard though it is to imagine.

No thank goodness, no interest in scooters. They both like their creature comforts too much to get cold and wet (with messed-up hair) on a scooter. DH took them in this morning (SD goes to school in the same town where SS works), and SS managed to stall twice, once in the path of an oncoming car at a junction

No problem asking, Trudy - he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in January - about 2 days before his 70th birthday. I think it's called a sarcoma. Anyway, that's all gone now after radiotherapy and major surgery. They had to remove a lot of his muscle and healthy tissue to be sure they'd removed it all, so the recovery process is long and slow. Plus he is 70, not 30, so it's going to be longer anyway. But he's not best pleased with it. Poor chap. But, as we keep telling him, he doesn't have cancer any more, which is the silver lining. He was lucky that they got it all. And it's pretty rare, so chances are something like 95% that it won't come back. Phew!

Just been for v long, cold walk to the swings and back. DD1 had a chocolate ice cream, so won't eat supper, I guarantee. DD2 will, though!

Oh we've all been there Trudy. I once managed to put my foot on the accelerator instead of brake when parking my boyfriends car while on my L plates. I had been planning on slamming on the brakes but somehow slammed down on the pedal I'd just taken my foot off. I was heading straight for a public toilet when my boyfriend pulled on the handbrake.

Beans your poor old dad, would he use a stick, or would that be more upsetting for him? You could buy him a posh cane. Sounds like you had a nice time anyway, I'm definitely guilty of being a right bee with an itch to DH when he far from doesn't deserve it.

Trudy always ask of there is something that is unclear. We know a fair bit of each others past recent history and so there is so much assumed knowledge. Which is a bit unfair for you but I for one don't mind if you ask to explain something. Helps to get you up to date on stuff and more a part of the Dec 08 ladies. I had to giggle when you said you lived on chocolate milk & rice crispies, definitely something about chocolate, milk & puffed rice cereals that helps hemipereses (sp) in pregnancy. It is a nutritious combination given that the cereals are fortified.

DS2 had his 2.5 year check up today. He passed all his developmental stuff with flying colours. He was very enthusiastic about kicking the ball, and correctly posted all but one shape in the shape sorter. The only slip up came when she asked him to point at the picture that corresponded with the word she said. He looked at her blankly when she said 'X', she had to repeat it before I realised she meant 'eggs'! I couldn't help thinking of our ZJ when she was going through his progress weight & height wise. She had a spread sheet which all of his measurements have been input. The reception ladies take the measurements, put them into his spread sheet then the nurse brings it up and it works out how much he has put on and grown since his last appointment AND whether this is in line with healthy growth for his age. Very cool. The only concern I had for the appointment is that he is stuttering a lot when he speaks. The HV said kids sometimes stutter to get attention, which I found a bit strange. But she did a little questionnaire thing about it, with me and decided while its probably fine it might be best to have him seen by a speech therapist. I'm sure its fine too, but DHs brother has a slight stutter and he thinks if he'd been sorted early he wouldn't have it so I thought it wouldn't hurt to listen to his concerns and mention it at the appointment.

Well I've decided that due to actually leaving the house and going to a child health appointment without a toilets accident that DS2 is house trained. I'm sure we will have accidents in the future but he is out of nappies all day including naps and he will take himself off to the potty for without having to be asked every 5 mins. Up until yesterday poos in the potty weren't so forth coming he tended to wait until his nappy was on for his nap. But I stopped putting his nappy on to see if that prompted him to use the potty instead. I figured it was worth an accident whilst napping to get him using the potty for poos. Anyway I could tell yesterday that he wanted to poo but wouldn't sit on the potty long enough. Finally, he actually asked for his nappy, so instead I said I would read him a book while he sat on the potty and hey presto, a poo. He was quite pleased with himself and we all did a poo on the potty dance.

Right its time for tea.

Beans that sounds so tough on your poor Dad. It must be very hardfor him having to listen to what his body telling him about its limitations, when its something he just isn't used to. I'm surehe enjoyed the holiday, and it sounded wonderful all being together...are you sure your DH hasn't had a sneaky peak at this thread, he sounded like he has redeemed himself somewhat

Vag, well done to DS2. If I now ask DS to use the potty he says "No I scared". Hope our attempt didn't traumatise him too much!

Trudy, your driving tales takes me back to when my Dad first took me out in the car. He was a shocking teacher! I got about 100m down the road before I put the handbrake on and swore that I'd never speak to him again...I did

I meant to add earlier in reply to Lady, yes I was planning on waiting until DS2 was 21 to toilet train him but he was starting to pretend wee with DS1 sometimes and was really interested when his big brother went to the loo. Something Jam said made me decide to go for it. she suggested to someone else on the thread to give it a go, if there were three accidents stop, give it a rest and come back to it another time, (or words to that effect). I decided after a few successes while at home in the mornings to take the nappies off all day, and thankfully he was ready. I know people talk about their second births often being a healing experience from their first more traumatic birth. Well for me, DS2's positive house training experience has been a healing experience for me, after what was an incredibly horrific experience with DS1. Who'd have thought a child weeing in little bowl thing would elicit such a range of emotions. It's like watching 'a winters tale'.

DB I watched Dr Who on iplayer last night, had read your comment on FB so had a little inkling but still, was a surprise. But now I have to wait until bloody Autumn!

Oh the Autumn thing has done my head in! I got all confuddled as to who she was made my head spin (although I had consumed a few wines by the time I watched it). Hence my shock!

The thing is does that mean all through their shared histories/futures, has he been protecting her, or is he running off now to save her as a baby. Is that why she was always in gaol? I had a little moment where I found Rory, quite attractive, but it passed.

Nice one on the TT, Vag, am v impressed. Don't suppose he wants to come over and give T a nudge or two? Actually, T would just want to do the poo in the potty dance and not the deed itself. And well done on the 2.5 yr check. How often do they have them? THe Dutch system sound v conscientious.

V tired today, delightful combination of B up all night then T waking for the day at 6. Karma for having a top weekend away. Lots of booze and late nights, so obv not feeling refreshed but it did us a lot of good to just hang out with each other again. My mum and her sis seemed to have aged about 15 years when we came back though. B is now crap sleeper at night as well as day, and T is just v naughty and willful at the moment. I don't think I'm cut out for this SAHM lark, waiting til B is well enough to be entrusted to childcare and off he goes. Might be another 6 months though.

No scooters here either, nor balance bikes. We have the latter for T but he has v stumpy legs so doesn't fit it on te lowest setting and is now scared of it. Along with toothbrushing and not being naughty.

Urbs that was the same thing my DP said at the 20 wk scan with T! I think T takes after me in the sporting dept however, and would much prefer a nice sitdown and some cake. He might deign to make the sandwiches for team tea.

Talking of cricket, we seem to have made an offer on a house in a village with just one shop. That is just barking, isn't it?