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Hello.Again.Kitty

Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 18:44
I have used moonfruit.com in he past and they are fab. They do various upgrades, but their basic, free site hosting is really good and part of it is a really easy-to-use site builder.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 18:07
Its a problem in that he's waking us up too!!! I do NOT want to be awake at 5am!!!! He used to sleep till at least 6.30....anything after 6 i can live with but this 5 business is too early!!! A thing that worked for us with DD was a stair-gate in the door to her room. That way, she could wake up and well, ok, she screamed to be let out after about 20 minutes. How old is he? I only ask because you can get alarm clocks that you can set so that the character opens his eyes at a certain time (and closes them at a certain time) and so, if he's old enough and pliable enough, you could try convincing him that he can only come and wake you up once bunny's eyes are open.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 14:49
is it a problem? If you have gates, then as long as he's contained and safe, then surely he can play if he's up and about. We don't have gates so our two come and jump on us in bed! That and getting DS to actually go to sleep in his big bed... grrr... little monkey will run out of the bedroom, grin at us and run back in. I haven't managed to break him in yet! lol
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 14:44
DD didn't really regress to babyhood, but she was far more attention-seeking when she was tired, for example. I think it's very important, right from the start, to treat both your children equally and as individuals - I know it sounds simplistic, but really, really try not to compare the two of them in terms of behaviour ("Look how good he's being. Are you going to be as good as him?!" etc...) as this sets up an idea of competition (even if there is none). Talk to your DH and all your family members about it too, so that they know. I find grandparents especially shocking at "oh #2 is such a good baby. #1 was never that good!"/ "#2 is such a grumpy baby, but #1 was always good!" and such comments within earshot of little ones who understand very well! As they grew up too, we had to deal with "sharing" toys. Invariably DD would want the toy - even the baby toy - DS had, so I taught her to always bring a different toy for him, if she wanted his one. This worked (and still works) really well and saved an awful lot of tears and tantrums! DD was also very curious about all the mechanisms to do with childbirth and breastfeeding, so I didn't hesitate to tell her about whatever she asked about in a very matter of fact way. She used to pretend to breastfeed her favourite toy and generally copy what was going on with DS... and she asked how he got out of my tummy, so I told her that I pushed him out and it was quite hard work. She's currently going through a phase of er, pointing out differences in male and female anatomy... Anyhow, I really think that they pick up on your vibes, so if you're relaxed about it, matter-of-fact, unbiased and open, then chances are they will be too. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 16/04/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 10:00
Would you circumcise a daughter? Unfortunately that practice is more common in this region that we'd expect... but that's a WHOLE other debate.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 09:59
concentrate on him when your newborn is also awake. I found feeding time to be a "difficult" moment and so would sit DD (eldest) next to me while I was feeding DS and just talk to her and interact with her. I also spent quite a bit of time pointing out the similarities between her and DS (look, [beep'> there's his nose!") and letting her touch and cuddle him whenever she wanted (under supervision!)... basically, her new brother was never out of bounds - he is part of our family and that's that. I also didn't get her a present from him because I felt that her affection towards him shouldn't be bought. She was only 2 though. Good luck!
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Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 22:46
how old is he? Don't forget, under 18 weeks, solids are a no-no.... completely. From 6 months on, you could in fact skip purées and go straight for finger-food if you so wished. The earlier you start, the slower you should go in terms of both textures and new flavours, but at the end of the day, follow your baby's leads and it'll all come good. Baby rice is fine as a first food, but it's duuuulllllll! Mashed banana is also good, but you could also try any number of fruit or veg purees (or steamed/ soft chunks). I used to do a porridge with oats, banana and apple, which DS couldn't get enough of. He was 5.5 months when I started him and we skipped along quite quickly to chunks (didn't help that on Day 3, I found DD feeding him grown-up pasta!). I started DD earlier - at 18 weeks - but by 6 months she was on normal meals too.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 22:39
has you tried seeing an osteopath? I'm a total convert and Lauren from the Dubai Osteopathic Centre managed to sort out the echoes of my pelvic girdle pain in 4 sessions (my hip would click out and my lower back would completely seize up, so I was unable to walk or stand straight and in excruciating pain... not nice!)
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Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 18:24
Now this is where I'm in a pickle - I'm only 8 weeks and don't want to tempt fate! :D But then again, I don't want to waste money now... but then again, will DS be too big for a buggy by the time #2 turns up?! I thought I could get another Apple now and think about the Pear kit in November (although everyone says it's too heavy), or get another Apple now and sell it in November if I think I need a double then. Or, get another Apple now and carry #2 in the Baby Bjorn if DS wants the buggy. Decisions! Oh, don't get a Pear, whatever you do! I'm not exactly a weak twig of a woman, but I honestly couldn't manoeuvre it around shops in the UK and had to use all my strength and weight to lever it up curbs... it was like a container ship. As for if you'll need a double or not, well, every child is different, but DD still occasionally decides to walk no further and climbs in the buggy and she's 3.5 now. You could sell a new Apple though at a good price and get a P&T then... but you do know you can just take the bottom seat off the P&T and have it as a single? Oh yeah...
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Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 18:17
If it were such a hygiene issue, then I'm amazed that all the non-circumcised men out there haven't keeled over or had their bits fall off. In this wonderful modern age, even if you can't figure out how to clean it yourself, I'm sure there's a video or Dummie's Guide somewhere in the ether to help... or ask your Dr. We haven't circumcised. It's not common practice in the UK and hasn't been for the past 40... 50... 60 years. I also don't believe in chopping bits off unnecessarily and if DS feels really strongly about it when he's old enough to realise the significance and/ or [questionable imo'> utility, then he can trundle off and have it done with my blessing. But it's your baby and your choice... but should it be the parent's choice? Oh, and as for the "they can hardly feel it", well... I only have one word for that, and it's not very nice. There was actually a time, not too long ago, when "specialists" thought that babies couldn't feel any pain. They're resilient creatures and recover well, and quickly, but even so... they do feel it.
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Latest post on 15 April 2011 - 18:06
yes, you do have to complete it if you are counted as permanently resident in the UK (have house, pay bills, pay Council Tax, are registered with the GP, etc..) and the main occupier of the house... even if you weren't in your house on the night of the 27th March (so "on holiday"). So if you're out of the UK for less than 12 months at a time (so if you pop back and live in your house for Christmas and the summer, say) then you should complete it or risk the £1000 fine dropping through your door. If you have tenants, then they should be the ones to complete it. To do it online (which is easy) you need the code which is printed on the front of the form.
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Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 18:38
I spoke to them yesterday and they are going to replace it :). If I can't get another iCandy, they'll pay for a different buggy up to the value of the iCandy. The Apple is GBP450 in the UK - what's the betting it's over three grand here?! oh gosh, yes! The P&T double is £335 in the UK and around 6k here. Nice little profit. Actually, thinking about it, get them to buy you a P&T double - or if they won't, ask for the cash instead and then buy yourself one (and have some cash to spare!). Forward thinking, that is!
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Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 16:45
I have a red one and no iCandy any more :(. BA smashed it up when we came home last week. I'm just trying to find out if iCandy will ship me a new Apple over here and if not I'll buy a different buggy - if I get a different buggy, you're welcome to the parasol (but you might need to find a new clip as DH managed to break ours). I'm just about to call iCandy now, so I'll post again when I've spoken to them. If BA smashed it, they should replace it... just talk to the UK lot instead of the chaps here. Emirates Trashed ours (on both legs! /golfclap) and replaced ours.
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Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 09:10
the short answer is "no" - iCandy stuff isn't stocked here. However, instead of a parasol, I used to use one of these [url=http://www.protectabub.co.uk/protect%20a%20bub%20compact%20sunshade.html'>protect-a-bub shades[/url'> and it was fantastic. I now use one of the all-encompassing ones (have changed buggy) because they're also great for if it's dusty or sand-stormy out.
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 23:56
ancestry.com is brilliant if you have anglo-saxon heritage (predominantly British, but also covers the USA and Australia) and you can also hit a jackpot and piggy-back off other peoples research if you have an ancestor in common. I managed to trace my father's line back to the 1500s through one such stroke of luck. It is a subscription-based service though, but they do do 14 day free trials, so as long as you're quick and you remember to cancel before the 14 days are up, you can have a great deal of fun.
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 21:00
Thank you for the lesson in Norman French. It's just French... it's only the Normans who got to us... but then we took over a third of France a few centuries later. In fact, it's said that Richard the Lionheart barely spoke English at all...
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 20:09
So.......how do you explain MRS (Mistress abbreviated) as the title for married women? Not power per se, more a mark of respect. Incidentally, at my very correct school in England, the French mistress was known as Madame.......... She is the mistress of her household. That's why, in the UK, only nobility get referred to as ma'am (shortened form of Madam = Madame = My Lady), unless you want to mock them by inferring that she has designs above her station, in which case it's "she's a right little madam"... highly ironic then, the favoured phrase of maids here... Anyhow, in France, it's slightly different, in that people don't call each other Mister or Mistress, but Monsieur (translates as My Sir/ Sire) or Madame (My Lady, as discussed)... The difference harks back, again, to the fact that the invaders who became the English nobility actually weren't that posh, but to the native Brits, sounded so... exotic. The meat-words are testimony to that really... In French it'd be "ah, je veux manger du mouton!" which the direct English translation would be "ah, I want to eat some sheep"... but to the up'n'coming masses it transformed into a word disassociated with the actual farm animal.
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 19:31
no... the French is the feminine form of "master" - as in master of the house, school master, etc..., which is "maitre"... so "maitresse", or "mistress" in English (which has French roots due to the fact that the Normans conquered us in 1066 and so most of the nobility was French, or at least spoke fluent french, so by consequence, French words were considered rather swish and entered common English language (just like "beef" (=boeuf), p0rk (=porc) and mutton (=mouton)...) So mistress is just the female master... nothing kinky! lol Isn't that wot I said? Kind of! Madame is actually "My Lady", which is I guess the sign of respect, whereas Maitresse has a connotation of power.
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 19:19
no... the French is the feminine form of "master" - as in master of the house, school master, etc..., which is "maitre"... so "maitresse", or "mistress" in English (which has French roots due to the fact that the Normans conquered us in 1066 and so most of the nobility was French, or at least spoke fluent french, so by consequence, French words were considered rather swish and entered common English language (just like "beef" (=boeuf), p0rk (=porc) and mutton (=mouton)...) So mistress is just the female master... nothing kinky! lol
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 12:42
HAK - the intake of calories is definitely NOT a problem ;) lol! The odd kg or so of chocolate I eat in one sitting definitely makes the calorie intake reasonable! Perhaps I should start with cutting that out a little huh! I just also think a little exercise will be good for my sanity! Hehe - that might do it! lol! On a serious note though, when I had That Moment, I started using an online food diary and logged all my food and drink intake - the database miraculously calculated all the stats and it was an interesting read... mainly to see the habits I'd got into (2 under 2 = 7+ cups of coffee a day and some serious snacking!), so by tweaking that, I could pretty much carry on eating what I usually ate and started losing the kilos, nice and slowly. The big thing for me, though, in conjunction with cutting down on the coffee and random nibbles was to work on my core muscles. You can do it anywhere - just like pelvic floor exercises - so if you're at your computer (hmmm), in a queue at the shops, etc, just have a go sitting or standing with your back straight and suck your tummy button as far towards your spine as possible and hold it. Don't stop breathing - you'll need to breath from your chest, rather than through your tummy. You'll find that by doing this often, it becomes second nature and will improve your posture (it's impossible to slouch if you're doing it) and give you a flatter-looking tummy. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 13/04/2011</em>
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 12:06
to protect yourselves, I would urge you to get a new contract drawn up naming the new LL. It could be written so as to only take you to the end of the current lease, but then it formalises all the changing hands. The deposit is your money, so when your LL terminates his contract with you (either by it being the end of the contract or active termination, even due to sale of the property) then he should return your deposit [i'>to you[/i'>, not to anyone else. Without having a tenancy contract with the new LL named, if anything were to go wrong, you would have left yourselves open to very little recourse. If the new LL has any sense, he'd be asking for the same. that's what I thought - presumably the old ll should return deposit to his tenants and the new one do a new contract with a new deposit...... exactly. Clear and simple so that everyone knows where they stand and everything is above board. The current LL should also return any rent that he hasn't actually earned, along with any uncashed rent cheques and a new set should be written out to the new LL... none of this "oh, we've come to an agreement" business. The last thing the tenant wants is to face eviction or have to pay double rent because the former LL has cashed the cheques but not handed the cash over to the new LL, who actually could evict them anyway because there's no tenancy contract between them...
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 12:02
are the nursery not helping him settle in with special settling in sessions? The one DD goes to (and DS will too in Sept) spends as much time as needed settling in the children and really looks to them all on an individual basis. It's one of those things that needs to happen really. If you've chosen to start, stick by your guns. I know it's hard, but some things aren't negotiable, are they?
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 11:06
I think we've used Hertz before for them.
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Latest post on 13 April 2011 - 11:05
to protect yourselves, I would urge you to get a new contract drawn up naming the new LL. It could be written so as to only take you to the end of the current lease, but then it formalises all the changing hands. The deposit is your money, so when your LL terminates his contract with you (either by it being the end of the contract or active termination, even due to sale of the property) then he should return your deposit [i'>to you[/i'>, not to anyone else. Without having a tenancy contract with the new LL named, if anything were to go wrong, you would have left yourselves open to very little recourse. If the new LL has any sense, he'd be asking for the same.
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 23:09
Your baby won't mind where he or she is, as long as s/he's with you, so don't worry on that front. You are, however, asking a lot of yourself, and probably underestimating how you'll be feeling, regardless of how the birth goes. You must tell your DH that you will be completely out of the moving scene and unable to help out, and he will have to make the move completely seamless - you will both be tired due to night wakings, so you really need to aim for all the essentials to be set up ready for your to drop into. Mark up all your boxes really well, so that you know exactly where everything is and get help in. Good luck - for the birth and for the move!
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 22:23
hmm... they're pretty robust. Have a look see what the care instructions on the label says. I'd wash it in the washer on delicate/ hand-wash - this setting often has a lower spin, so is gentler.
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 22:23
hi.. iwas just going to ask the same question, i had the same problem with my 7 month baby girl, many people told me to try prune babyfood and juice but i can't find it ... do you have an idea where ican find it?? just buy some dried or tinned prunes and mush them up! Tinned would obviously be better for mushing, but if you can only find dried, then simmer them in a little water to soften them and then mush. Saying that, prunes aren't a complete guarantee. I have an iron stomach and they have no effect... I can quite happily chomp through a whole kilo! edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 10/04/2011 thanks for your reply , but i'm new in dubai do you know where i can find the dried or tinned prunes?? most supermarkets have them.
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 20:49
Can you not stick it in your washing machine on a cool/ 30 degree setting or on "delicate"?
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 18:13
I wish I had been given advice 27 years ago from either my mum or my mother in law, but they had already passed away. Your assumption/guess is wrong and very ignorant. Do not know where some posters got their info from that it can harm the baby to alternate formula with breast feeding, but [b'>Please[/b'> tell me because several mums I know are doing this for different reasons, with approval of their mid wifes or gynecologists, but if it harms the baby they should be informed about this. It doesn't harm the baby, but can (and often does) harm your breastfeeding relationship with your baby, both in terms of potential nipple confusion, reduction in supply (by switching to a formula feed, your body thinks bubs no longer needs that feed, so reduces supply) and a general loss in confidence in the mum, which is the worst outcome of the 3, imo. It's very much a self-fulfilling prophesy, and once you start replacing milk feeds with formula feeds, it can be very challenging to switch back, both physically and mentally. I've found a lot of professionals (who should know better) are mis-informed and advise topping-up without much consideration and often a lack of judgement as to whether the child actually needs it for medical reasons. New mothers are constantly worried that they're doing The Right Thing or The Best Possible and so don't need to be undermined by others mis-informing them and urging them to go down routes they may not want, nor need to take. Thank you H.A.K. of course I know but I wanted to challenge those who just stated that it will do harm to your baby. And trusting your instincts as a new Mum is not enough, unfortunately I know this. The OP is probably right, her baby is doing well, but the fact she is posting is saying enough (to me) To be honest it doesn't do any harm to go for an extra check up and also have a look at the quality of the milk. This will work both ways, she will be able to confirm that everything is right to MIL, and that her feeling was correct. A boost for her confidence I think. I actually think that most of the problems we face during pregnancy and early motherhood are because we don't follow our instincts and trust our bodies enough. Formula isn't better than breastmilk... it's as close as scientists can get to a copy of breastmilk, but they can't get it spot on. It's a bit like suggesting that you ditch the fresh fruit and veg, and just go with supplements. Same nutrition, no?
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 17:21
I thought it was in 2012? Must remember to put that in my diary... ... don't hold your breath though. Still, it'd solve my school problem!
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 17:17
I wish I had been given advice 27 years ago from either my mum or my mother in law, but they had already passed away. Your assumption/guess is wrong and very ignorant. Do not know where some posters got their info from that it can harm the baby to alternate formula with breast feeding, but [b'>Please[/b'> tell me because several mums I know are doing this for different reasons, with approval of their mid wifes or gynecologists, but if it harms the baby they should be informed about this. It doesn't harm the baby, but can (and often does) harm your breastfeeding relationship with your baby, both in terms of potential nipple confusion, reduction in supply (by switching to a formula feed, your body thinks bubs no longer needs that feed, so reduces supply) and a general loss in confidence in the mum, which is the worst outcome of the 3, imo. It's very much a self-fulfilling prophesy, and once you start replacing milk feeds with formula feeds, it can be very challenging to switch back, both physically and mentally. I've found a lot of professionals (who should know better) are mis-informed and advise topping-up without much consideration and often a lack of judgement as to whether the child actually needs it for medical reasons. New mothers are constantly worried that they're doing The Right Thing or The Best Possible and so don't need to be undermined by others mis-informing them and urging them to go down routes they may not want, nor need to take.
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 17:08
Thank you so much everyone. I think we're going to try Lauren at the Osteopathic Health Centre as she seems so popular (as long as she treats men too!) I'll probably be toddling off to see her too is she's a hit with OH. I've been living with quick trips to see my osteopath whenever I'm back in the UK. She does and she doesn't take prisoners, so will almost certainly set your DH right.
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 15:46
every child is different... DS is 22 months old and only has 12 teeth through... #13 and 14 have been coming throu for the last 4 months... and the rest?! 20?! He'll be getting his adult teeth through by then!
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 15:43
It's sooo common - I hate the blighters! They're big enough to see their legs, aren't they? AND they seem to appear out of nowhere. I now always decant any dry goods into clear, well-sealed pots and check before every use... saying that, typically, I haven't done it for my own muesli and was just finishing my morning's bowlful when I saw a little critter stuck in some yoghurt at the bottom! Hmmmm!
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 15:35
Another recommendation for Lauren here - she sorted out a post-pregnancy hip problem that was flooring me every 8 weeks for 16 months in 4 sessions. Be aware though, that she does the hardest massage I've ever experienced... do tell her in advance to go gently if you don't like hard-to-the-bone massage! Our insurance covers up to 10 sessions of an osteopath, but you need to get a referral from your GP first. I went first to put me out of my misery and then got referred when it was clear I'd need a course of treatment. I think she charges about 300aed a session. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 12/04/2011</em>
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Latest post on 12 April 2011 - 08:55
Charity boxes for change could easily be put beside cash tills and issue easily resolved and loose change going to the place needed most not the shop keepers coffers. This was pratice many years ago in some countries I think this practice is done in many countries where the small change is insignificant. But, I think it works both ways, if the bill is 30.30, I give 3.25 and they never said anything, sometimes they even give me a few fills more. I dont see a big deal. Even in the USA, many people dont even take the pennies they get back, many even throw them in the garbage. I was a cashier there, so I know. edited by jewelsmiddle on 12/04/2011 I was about to say the same thing! Literally throwing money away is just weird... and quite wrong! Certainly most supermarkets here have charity boxes close by and most do in the UK too... as well as places like chemists... or you could always pop into a charity shop...
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Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 23:29
In this forum I usually read threads about maids, hairdressers, pedicures, weekends away in expensive resorts and so on. That is why I am astonished about the pennies thing. Sorry I did not want to dismiss anybody, it is just to show my surprise. I still think that if we are here having a reasonably good expat live we cannot really compare with anybody coming from a developing country. But this is just my opinion. I cannot afford a flat in Scotland nor Spain at the moment but I feel that I am incredibly lucky that I can choose to be here and I really feel that I am a millionaire in comparison with the majority of the people in the world. Supermarkets will still make their money by raising the prices 0.08GBP so I still do not see the point. However, I did not want to sound rude so I apologise. Good night! edited by Nimonemo on 11/04/2011 Good point in my opinion. Can't believe fils are being discussed. At the moment I haven't got much money (was gonna use a stronger term of phrase but decided not to!) but I know that I am still better off than a lot of others here. Invariably, ALL expats - from the lowliest of labourers to the richest of bankers - are better of here than an awful lot of their compatriots back home.
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Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 22:55
As for the idea that everyone has different stories and some need it more than others, I'm sorry, but it doesn't hold much water for me. The scale is different, but our plights are often similar. Even being here, DH and I don't have the money to buy our own house in the UK - we're saving for it too, just like the low-paid chaps who're sending their money home. You are not talking serious here. No, I am. I can't afford to buy a house in my home country and wouldn't even be able to contemplate it had we not come over here to earn more than we could in the UK... just the same as all the labourers, shop assistants and other migrant workers here. Everything's relative. My brother can't afford to go to the dentist... my uncle died because of a stroke caused by the fact he couldn't afford blood pressure medication. They don't live in developing countries, nor are they considered poor. All things are relative.
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Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 22:25
It does not bother me at all. I think there are much more important things. Actually I usually leave the change (AED5-10-20) to the "nicest"person is attending me.... I do not understand your post, even if as you say "over the years adds up quite a large amount" I am sure the guy in the florist shop need it more than me. I think you are missing the point. It is called stealing and it should be left up to the individual person whether they want to leave people a tip or not wasn't there that bank clerk who kept the rounded off fractions of pennies/ cents that happen when the interest is added up and gone done for fraud... to the tune of millions of dollars. He'd been collecting them from every account over a number of years. Anyhow, I've started giving my own change... so if shopping comes to 2.35, I'll give 2.25, or 2.80, I'll give 2.75... it just makes sure the assistant doesn't need to do the difficult maths of rounding up. The number of times I've had a total of -.80 and not got any change back is mad. As for the idea that everyone has different stories and some need it more than others, I'm sorry, but it doesn't hold much water for me. The scale is different, but our plights are often similar. Even being here, DH and I don't have the money to buy our own house in the UK - we're saving for it too, just like the low-paid chaps who're sending their money home.
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Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 21:36
She might have a point, don't ignore her advise completely. your son was satisfied the first 2 weeks, after that he was on and off. Might be that your quality of breast milk has reduced. Can't harm the baby to give him a bottle in between and see how he reacts. Oh peuleeeese! Since when has any MiL been able to tell the nutritional composition of breastmilk just by staring at a newborn?! Besides, it [i'>can[/i'> harm your breastfeeding to "just" give the baby a bottle at 3 weeks old... and the mother's self-esteem. Fretty - you go girl. Nod and smile... and enjoy your baby! ;)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 21:32
more likely "because they can"... I bet it'll be a sell-out, even at those prices.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 21:30
It all depends on your personal circumstances LT. We've not gone for fixed term deposits with large lump sums, we homed in on easy access cash ISA's - I honestly do not remember seeing 7% interest rates on cash ISA's for the last 4 years at least. And when your mortgage rate is 7%, say, anyway - it makes no sense to save cash. Might as well pay off the mortgage with the money instead. Maybe I should qualify to say that, for us, there is no incentive. edited by Sugarbeach on 11/04/2011 No, it's true... the fixed term regular deposit things have gone down from 6.5-7% 5 years ago to something like 2.5%. Ironically, when the interest on savings accounts was high, the interest on credit was low... I was a self-confessed 0% credit ho between 1999-2004... interest free loan for my Uni! Either you spend it or you save it after all... <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 11/04/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 21:02
Interest rates are always tricky, because higher interest rates encourage saving and discourage spending [on credit'>... which is not good in difficult times. I have friends on interest-only mortgages and they could see themselves in a pickle (hopefully not!) and if they did, they wouldn't be the only ones. People who bought in the last 5 or so years would have mortgaged up to the max, so the current financial climate with job losses et all and now the interest rate hike could well see repossessions... and fewer purchases. ... but prices coming down would be no bad thing at all for first time buyers coming back from a decent job abroad...
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 20:19
'our' favourites include Night Garden, Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse, Chugginton, Waybuloo, Teletubbies and DD is currently a bit obsessed with Cars so we found some short cartoons on i-tunes with those characters. Also loves any kind of music stuff so we have a couple of music/nursery rhymes DVDs too. is waybuloo on here or do you have the dvds? I have no idea why DS liked it... it makes no sense to me. It's funny how grown ups simply don't get Waybuloo and In the Night Garden, but somehow these programmes manage to convey some sort of meaning to toddlers. :\: It's true - my DS (21 months) breaks into fits of giggles when either of those two come on. Other great ones are: - Show Me Show Me (kind of Playschool set up based around 2 themes with sketches, activities and a structured layout) - Alphablocks (quite frankly brilliant short animations based on teaching phonics. "I'm a pirate and my name is Arrrr!") - Octonauts (for slightly older pre-schoolers) (animation involving a team of characters having adventures in the ocean. Each episode investigates a new sea creature - Narwhal anyone?!) - Bagpuss (a classic, but fabulous nonetheless - characters come to life and tell stories around a found item that they repair) - Numberjacks (somewhat strange, but entertaining show based around numbers and basic maths) - Little Charlie Bear (wonderful animation where a toy bear starts playing and transports himself into scenarios involving all the toybox characters) - Chuggington (trainee trains get up to adventures, invariable teaching a moral lesson) - Tinga Tinga Tales (lovely cartoon telling traditional African stories of how creatures came to be the way they are) - Timmy Time (Shaun the Sheep's little brother goes to nursery with his friends and learns cute little things like sharing and whatnot.) <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 11/04/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 19:58
Just ask him what he's planning to cook and leave him to organise the bedding and such... you'll wake up to find BiL asleep on the sofa with a towel over him!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 19:32
er... yes?
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 19:31
thanks Hello kitty.. i really needed some positive talk.. i always put myself under scanner of whether i am being a good parent or not that obviously is not helping me! Your little man thinks you're the best mummy in the world, ever, in a million years, and to be honest, who else counts?! ;)
Hello.Again.Kitty
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 19:27
I'm another one who hasn't had any problems... and I've been to a few around the marina! I always keep my toenails short and clip them at home, so the pedicurists only need to file them. I've just been trying to see if my cuticles were trimmed off, and I'm not sure... just pushed back and then the excess trimmed, but no surgery! I also "only" go once every month or so (never went ever in the UK - lol!). On a few occasions, some have drawn blood, but I protest if it hurts (it shouldn't hurt at all, really, should it?!) and haven't set foot back in those places. My current favourite is great (touch wood), clean, bright and attentive and gentle staff. I think I see them take the tools out of a UV steriliser box on the wall, but maybe I'm a bit confused...
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 19:13
ah, yes, back on a serious note, when you're sending your CV out to people, make sure you write your covering letter/email in proper English. DH got one come in filled with "u", "ur" and the like and would have discarded it completely had it not come with a recommendation. There is nothing more unprofessional as using text speak in professional correspondence and with all things to do with CVs, be on your best behaviour!
Hello.Again.Kitty
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 17:50
yup, if you're not happy about the way it's heading, change it. Sometimes it has to be a case of tough love and what with breastfeeding him, he's not going to starve. Shelve the oats for a bit and concentrate on other foods. Either divide batches into small portions that you can defrost easily if he wants more or go for finger foods that wouldn't be a problem if you had to chuck them... or eat them yourself. Proper choking is actually really quite rare (as per the paramedic who did our infant first aid course who said he'd been called to one incident in 19 years), but gagging is frequent and is a very, very good (and strong) reflex that children have to avoid choking, in fact. Don't get him used to jars and pots either. Yes they're convenient on the go, but they're the baby equivalent of ready-meals, so unless you as a family eat ready-meals at every opportunity, then he's going to have to make the transition sometime soon. I'm also a firm believer in eating with your children, to show them the way. Try and do so and eat what he's having (or him eat what you're having) so that he can copy you and feel all grown up. so i should just shelve oats completely and be persistent on something else, like for a week? i really want to do BLW but somewhere mentally not prepared. But i think that's how it should be. If he explores on his own may be he will be more interested in eating it. And since i'll start with finger foods i'll as well eat along with him and give him big bites of what i am eating too! and that will help me in cutting down my salt and spices too :) no i'm not that big fan of outside food, and prefer eating at home, may be its just lentils with rice.. readymade jars are very very rare, when we've no other food option present. Thanks for replying ladies.. sometimes i feel so lost.. without friends, without any help or support!! Follow what you feel to be right. It seems that a lot of the success (or not) of the weaning experience (because they all get there at some point, don't they) is down to the care-giver's vibes. If you're someone who can't help expressions of disgust at the sight of fish, then your child will pick up on it, if you're jittery and worried, then the child's going to get stressed, wondering what's wrong... but if you're a parent who tuck in to their meals with gusto and eats a variety of dishes with equal enthusiasm, then kiddo is going to pick up on that. I grew up in France, where meal times aren't just about getting nutrition into you, but rather that they are important social events which should be enjoyable and relaxed.
 
 
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