June 2008-keeping little hands off mummy's creme eggs

[poppy34]

New thread here

DGT how horrible for your friend and hugs to you as well. As for shoes - DS1 had regular shoes (a bit lower cut than his winter ones) and cheap-o imitation crocs and that's it. It doesn't get hot enough to need canvas shoes and they aren't as long lasting for things like riding bikes/trikes. Oh and wellies for puddles and we didn't bother with slippers but our house is relatively warm. Oh and DS1 has a scar too near his eye from when he was 23 months. I think it wouldn't have been so bad but he scratched the steri-strips off the first night in bed.

Hi Moo, great to hear from you! You must try to post more often.

DG, so sorry about your friend. I have to say with shoes I am a one-pair-at-a-time (ie tight ) girl. I just try to buy them shoes that are smart/casual so they go with anything. At £30 a pop (x2) it's an expense i can do without. I have a friend who 'has' to work FT because they need the money - but her 14mo has '30' pairs of shoes (perhaps she was exaggerating). Last week she was wearing a brand new pair of Converse trainers . Well, I know I shouldn't judge but that is ridiculous when you are supposedly struggling for money.

Essie, can't Iestyn get shoes at Clarks now? E got her first pair size 3E. (Now she is a massive 4.5!) I am feeling your pain with the nest - we had one blocking our chimney when we had our coal fire put in. Luckily no birds were living in it but it took the sweep a while to dislodge it (and it was messy!)

So sorry to hear about your friend Domestic. Luke has a pair of trainers from Clarks and a pair of Wellies. He's just moved up to a 7G (HUGE!!) and I refuse to buy him loads of pairs. He will get some crocs for summer which he had last year and were brilliant as they are light as a feather, very airy and cool and so won't make smelly feet. If it rains he can wear the trainers/wellies. I need to buy him some new trousers. It's hard work 'cos he's still in 12-18 months as he's such as skinny mini (with the waist adjusted too!) but he's got too long for them. I wonder if I can find somewhere that makes slim fitting clothes with enough length. I can't wait for the warm weather so Luke can just wear shorts all the time.

Oh and Domestic - Luke gets random rashes all the time. Hope nothing serious.

TMI alert but can you beleive I haven't pooed for 6 days!!! Progesterone suppositories. Hmmm.

Hi Moo! Nice to hear about all the chat - it's lovely isn't it. I've finally got luke to put the 'don't' part in front of 'like it' so much less confusing now! Unfortunately he doesn't seem to like much at the moment. Want to watch Peppa Pig? Don't like it. Want some milk? don't like it. Bed time - don't like it!!!

Spider - Luke watches TV non stop. I don't feel like a bad parent though. Luke has learnt loads from TV!

Essie - Wow Luke would go crazy about all of those planes. We don't get many round here and in greenwich we could see them coming and going from City airport.

Thanks everyone. My friend has been incredibly courageous - I don't know where she gets the strength from.

Thanks all for the sanity check on shoes. S normally does just have the one pair of shoes plus wellies - it's normally start-rite or similar (our local Clarks doesn't have a brilliant reputation and there's a really good independant shop that always has a brilliant range with lots of choice). They're bloody expensive though which is why he usually only has one pair. Am a bit at £48 though Essie I think the most I've been stung for is around £38.

With crocs, should they wear socks? I worry about them rubbing? He normally wears slippers at nursery but I guess in the summer that crocs would do for that thus eliminating the need for that.

I think I might just go with slighter lighterweight shoes than normal and crocs. If he gets any holiday spends from the GPs though I might just be tempted by some converse or sandals for our holiday .

Despite my interest in such a wide range of shoes I don't really get the need for toddlers to have loads of shoes generally. Anyone I know in RL who does, tends to have lots of pairs of cheap poor quality shoes. My friend's daughter has to see a podiatrist (sp?) because problems with her feet (not caused by shoes incidentally) but he really warned her about the evils of cheap shoes on children and she has in turn terrified me!

Abdn am trying to convince myself now that scars are cool . S was surprisingly very good with his steristrips. He's taken his plaster off a couple of times but more to have a nosy at it. I got him some mr bump plasters the other day but he thinks they're like stickers so I came home yesterday to find him with a couple on his hands and face. It was funny after the momentary panic!

On TV Spider et al - S watches it too and I have found myself actively trying to encourage him to watch it when I need space to cook or something too. He is slightly less obsessed with it than he used to be - he's suddenly interested in loads of toys he wasn't bothered about before. We got this slide for the garden with some gift vouchers he had and now all he wants to do is play on that. However, instead of sliding down it he now wants to throw himself off the top! I sense a few more plasters needed...

Anyway, I'm just rambling now so should crack on at work. Mooo nice to hear from you, glad Isla is doing well.

Luke never wore socks with his crocks and never got a single rub or blister - they are incredibly soft. You should try a pair on in your size to see before buying some for LO for peace of mind.

DGT just a warning about Converse style trainers. One of my NCT friends had them for her little boy and whilst looking cool they were a nightmare to get on. When I was getting P new shoes last week the shop assistant (unprompted) said - "you could get Converse, but they are much harder to put on". Velcro has to be the fastening mechanism of choice I think. I am impressed that it has been sunny enough for you to be considering that the rash is sunburn. The last few days have been good here, but no real power in the sun yet. Anyway, I hope the rash is nothing to worry about and it clears up. Also, so sorry about your friend's husband.

Amber and DGT thanks for the TV reassurance. P wasn't at all interested in it until this Christmas really, and now he loves it. I do worry though as I have seen advice saying that at this age they shouldn't have more than 20mins per day. Did anyone see the Panorama last night on children's health? I haven't watched it, but it does occur to me that when P is watching TV he is very still, and sedantry lifestyles are one of the things that are causing chldhood obesity.

Amber maybe the answer to your clothing dilemma with Luke is to get a sewing machine? Seeing as you already have a slow cooker, it must be next on the domestic goddess shopping list.

I am in awe of anyone who can use a sewing machine

It has been definitely sunny enough for sunburn here - had the suncream out the last few days, it has been lovely. I am very annoyed though because I can't find E's cap with the flaps covering the neck from last summer. I have had to order a new one.

I am quite lucky that the DTs don't ask to watch tv very often. They always ask after their breakfast so I put ITNG on while I get tidied up, then we go and change nappies/get dressed so it goes off, then they play outside until lunch . I sometimes put it on again at the end of the day if they are getting tired/restless before bathtime.

T is getting so cute with E now - when I go to get them in for lunch I say 'do you want some toast?' and T goes 'Edder edder, toast toast' and they both come toddling in.

Thanks for the converse tip Spider - very useful. I've also read the reports about tv etc and while I don't doubt the research is valid I do think that in combination with reading, playing, healthy eating, exercise etc it can't really be the devil . S is currently watching cbeebies while I eat my tea in peac . Am also MNing (multi-tasker) cos DH is out.

It was definitely sunny enough for cream here on Monday. The rash has completely subsided now and he's in much better form so I do think it was teething and/or heat rash.

Neenz that's a very cute description! I tried some of S's hats from last summer btw and none of them fit.

Ah - it must be lovely for the twins to have each other - especially when the newbie comes along. Luke won't really play with anything unless I'm involved so if it was outdoor play from breakfast to lunch for Luke I would also be required to spend the whole morning in the garden.

Luke spends a whole lot of time at nursery where there is no telly so having it on at home doesn't bother me. Infact it wouldn't bother me anyway - I am very relaxed about it. I think when they are older and sitting playing games non stop on a computer and never going out I would get worried. We have proper conversations about what's on, it's very interactive! I am fairly sure TV is the reason why he doesn't care about books though which is the down side.

We have had our new fireplace installed - it is so lovely I can't stop going in to look at it.

neenz I wont tell you how simple a sewing machine is....

amber try M&S for boy's trousers - they seem to be the thinnest IMO. And the fireplace is lovely

DGT we bought a pair of jelly shoes from Sainsbury's for C for her holiday which she wore with socks, for one week I wasn't too worried. Otherwise she just has wellies and normal shoes. Sorry to hear about your friend, that's so sad.

essie we get C's shoes from Clark's - there's not much choice in a 3.5 but they definitely have some for less than £48!

telly we have it on in the evenings for a bit after teatime - usually wayballoo and ITNG on the days that I'm working. On my days at home, we sometimes watch a bit in the morning, particularly if I've got housework or something to get on with.

neenz bow down in awe to me then! I made Charlotte a sunhat just last week (a clothkits one, it's v cute!) sewing machines are much easier than they look - I learned one year by making costumes for a student performance of West Side Story - 60 skirts later, I was fairly adept!

amber the fireplace looks lovely, and v cute about the don't like!

C has started to behave like a parrot - her new favourite thing to say is 'cheeky monkey' after her godfather called her that on Sunday - she has also started to ask 'whatdya doin? all the time, which is v cute. yesterday she said 'whatdya doing wid dat ganny? to my Mum - I was taken aback!

Hi guys, quick post. V tired. Just moved the boys into a bedroom together which is taking a bit of adjusting to!

DG, so sorry to hear about your friend.

Not much else to say - A enjoys telly now (huge Bob fan, and ITNG and Chuggington) but will turn it off himself after about 30mins and books still win any day .

As for shoes, one pair here but also wondering about something easy to slip on and off for our new garden .

Moving date looking to be first week of May.

Luke also loves Chuggington - he has a boat in the bath and zooms it round his head and says 'action chugger'!

I want a sewing machine! Last time I used a sewing machine was at secondary school when I made a pair of child's shorts (badly). I wonder if there are classes I could go to. I do remember it being difficult but I am quite cack handed.

I have just done a mega hoover in the living room and filled the whole thing with pure dust. I think I will need to do it about 6 or 7 times before it'll be fit for the carpet to be laid.

Thanks for the fireplace comments on FB everyone!

Is that how your spell cack handed?!!

I can use a sewing machine - worship me here! (I'll set up a cult where worshippers have to give me money! ) Neenz you should give it a whizz - it would appeal to your money-saving side. And I love clothkits - only just discovered that they're back - but I have a boy. The girls clothes are so, so cute! Amber you can get really reasonable ones at John Lewis now, and sewing is really taking off - it's taking over from knitting apparently. Sewing is the new knitting! And you'll probably be able to do courses in John Lewis. Or I could teach you - it's pretty easy.

Shoes - yes, well, maybe I didn't post on the expensive shoe business! What happened was that Iestyn started walking and we went to Clarks to get shoes for him. Had to wait for 15 minutes at one and gave up, then found another one. They claimed they didn't have any shoes at all to fit his size 21/2 foot apart from cruising shoes. So I had a huge strop and made a complaint to head office because they were making my child out to be a freak due to his feet being too small. (God knows I must have been having my period or something!) So Clarks are out. We then found a children's shoe shop in Llandudno, but it's a designer shop. They were a bit slow with other customers (!) and by the time it was Iestyn's turn he was having a tantrum and wouldn't have any shoes put on him properly. However, they found a pair which fit, allegedly, sold them to us, and at the till we were told it was £48. We couldn't really back out without looking mean and anyway he had no shoes. So we bought them, took them home. Found they didn't fit, too big, and when we were in Cardiff we got him a lovely lovely pair of blue hush puppies. He's now in his size 4 expensive ones, which are unbearably gorgeous and keep getting comments (possibly because his feet are so small), but have laces. (Spider I second the velcro!) They're French.

Thinking about it, I have a Clarks voucher sitting here - oh, it's 20% off adults. Sorry. I'm considering these or these - do you think the first ones are too much like shoes??
Also, fashion gurus, I've just bought my first pair of skinny jeans. Would these shoes go with them? I'm clueless! What do I put on my feet??

Iestyn is far too keen on telly. He insists on having his tea in front of it. It's easier to give in. He is doing well, though - boast alert; he started talking properly 2 weeks ago when we were in London, and is now starting on his second language - he says Hello (HellllllAAAAAAAiiiiir, like a posh person) and bye bye in English.

Inlaws were getting him a slide for his birthday (but said to get it now) and I managed to persuade them to get more of an activity thing: this one, but only because of the £100 off, plus my 10% discount and some vouchers!!

OMG, massive post, and I need to do some work!!

I like the second shoes you liked to for Iestyn Essie - I was reading some stuff on here about shoes for toddlers in the archives and closed toe 'sandals' came out as preferrable to open toed ones for littlies. Re shoes to go with skinny jeans, it's been a long time since I wore skinny jeans but if I could get into them I'd favour of a ballet pump - something like these or these (not necessarily that print but that kind of style). Or some plimsoles like these which come in lots of colours and are very popular round these parts.

Love the slide btw. And a good deal with the £100 off. {grin] at Iestyn's posh English speaking voice.

Oh, and I thought that was a bit rubbish about Clarks only having cruiser shoes in size 21. I'm sure S's first shoes were 21.5 and they definitely weren't cruiser shoes. They were more of a first proper walking shoe but slightly more flexible than a regular shoe.

Glad you're happy with your fireplace Amber - it looks great.

Very impressed with sewing machine skills - I have none at all. I want to learn about cake decorating though instead and am very disappointed about the lack of classes in Edinburgh. Clearly everyone must just buy posh cakes instead. I did find out that the little place I bought my wedding cake from is now very 'hot' even Jenners (historically posh Edinburgh shop, now owned by Frasers) has a concession for them in store.

I want to do cake decorating but only because I really really want this but only because the tin is so gorgeous. I probably won't... I'm doing a lot of biscuit and cake making these days though. And getting fat! That's the problem with domestic goddess type stuff.

I'm going to a funeral tomorrow - my (previous) handyman died. And everyone pray or do whatever you do for my cousin Karen - she's found a lump, and is having it removed, with the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. She has a little girl who is 2.

One word on shoes, when your little darlings start school can you please avoid velcro? It is the absolute bloody bane (sp?) of teachers' lives! Sitting on the carpet, legs crossed, what do they find to play with? The velcro fastenings on their shoes!!!!

I used to have nightmares about the sound of velcro opening and closing when I was a teacher .

lol Sponge, that's so funny! Can most 4yos tie their own shoelaces? Very exciting about the move date - that seems quick.

I'm not sure I'd be that good with a sewing machine, I have no patience and always rush everything. I got a great bundle off ebay yesterday anyway - 2 pairs trousers, 4 t-shirts, 2 cardis and a dress for £8 delivered. All beautiful stuff and in very good condition . I love ebay bundles.

Essie I like both those shoes for Iestyn. I always wear heels or boots with skinny jeans, but ballet pumps are good (tho I always think they make my legs look stumpy with skinny jeans, plus ballet pumps always rub on my feet and won't stay on, maybe cos my feet are only size 4). Sorry about your cousin and handyman.

Like you we got told at Clarks they don't do proper walking shoes in less than a 3, which is ridiculous cos E was 13mo (not dead young) when she walked and she was a 3E (thankfully) - lots of kids must walk younger and with feet smaller! Well done Iestyn with his posh English!

Biscuits, that is very good speech from C! T has put 3 words together - 'all gone now' but only after I said it so don't think that counts. He is a parrot too. He repeats the last word of every sentence you say, then when we say 'you are a parrot', he repeats 'pawwod' . He can also read numbers [boast]. But he seems to struggle with the 's' sound, so he says 'updairs' and 'outtide' (and 'Edder' )

Amber, forgot to say well done Luke with the sleeping!

Don't expect many 10 year olds can tie shoelaces nowadays Neenz!

Try stapling the shoes on . . . anything to spare your teacher the nightmare of velcro .

Essie, forgot to say I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin. How worrying for all concerned.

Can I make a really really tiny little request, without being shot down in flames .

I love reading all the stories of what the LOs are up to, but please can we stop using the word 'boast'. Even when used in jest, when you have a child who can't talk/recognise numbers/etc, etc, etc, it really feels like you're being told that your child is just not up to much and it hurts .

Sorry if it sounds really paranoid and I do plead extreme tiredness and so maybe being over-sensitive, but I just find that particular word unsavoury.

Sorry Eddie, I only mean [boast] as a kind of a really cos I know I shoudn't be [boast] about it at all cos they all do things in their own time. Sorry about the tiredness .

essie you're right, C had to get crusing shoes until she made it into a size 3 in Clarks. And she was 15 months before she was walking properly. She didn't get proper walking shoes until November.

eddie the velcro is driving me mad already - I shall definitely be heeding your advice! not long til your big move - are you packing already?

A funny story: C woke up at 4 with much Mummy Mummy Mummy crying - I think she'd had a nightmare however she then came into our bed and wriggled for 30 minutes. Just when I thought she was about to drift off, she suddenly sat up, leant over and kissed me on the nose! how random but lovely.

essie sorry about your cousin, I missed that on skimming through. Hope all goes well for her operation.

Ah, now I have a boastometer which is normally fitted to maximum sensitivity (it's particularly Welsh, to loathe boasting of any kind including 'I passed all my exams' 'well don't boast'!) But it must have been low on charge when I posted earlier! Sorry.

Biscuits that's so lovely! I think I've had a fresh batch of mummy love hormones or something because I keep going mushy at things Iestyn does. Well, not the throwing food or the tantrums. The thing I'm loving at the moment is when I say 'Iestyn smile' he does this really funny (but cute) pretend strange smile, eyes closed, chin up and teeth together!

Eddie velcro may be bad, but my Mum used to wish that there was a machine to tie laces for her infants classes! The worst were wet ones. I asked her from playing outside? She said yes sometimes, sometimes just the toilet floor... [yuck] Mum reckons buckles are the way to go but I haven't seen a buckle on a shoe since sometime in 1997. (I had a pair then but nothing since.)