Cindy; mum to 3 monkeys!

If you had a baby GIRL, after already having a son who had every blanket, wrap, toy, photo frame & clothing available to man, what baby gift would you like to receive?

Would you still like a pink/girly set of cot sheets even tho you already have 5 sets of boyish/unisex ones?

And if you had a second son and already had everything you needed, what gift would you like to receive?

And yes I am already giving something to the mum to be, I want ideas on baby gifts only. Things that aren't too expensive either so no vouchers for photography or anything like that.

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what I can do for my sisters baby shower as her little boy is still in the hospital and will be for some time. He was born 16 weeks early and is doing fantastic.

We had originally planned to have a 'high tea' shower at a lovely hotel where each guest would have to pay $23 (AU) but now my sister (who doesnt actually know about the high tea) is worried about having a shower at all as some people have already helped them out with other things and she doesnt want anyone to resent having to go to a baby shower and bring a gift and little does she know we wanted them to come and pay money too.

I'm not sure what to do now but this is her fourth baby after a 9 year gap and she has never had a baby shower before with her 3 girls so this one was going to be really special.

So should I still plan it for the hotel or just have something more low key at home? the guest list is not huge, maybe 15 people.

any suggestions would be good. Also any suggestions on how to incorporate the fact she is no longer pregnant and that she has a micro-premmie

this is probably a loaded question lol....but where do you think is the best place in the USA to live for an active family of 5? (and anywhere that is freezing freezing cold or boiling hot is out lol!)

Please give reasons why you think that area is good for a young family (pros & cons)

this is probably a loaded question lol....but where do you think is the best place in the USA to live for an active family of 5? (and anywhere that is freezing freezing cold or boiling hot is out lol!)

Please give reasons why you think that area is good for a young family (pros & cons)

I am a stay at home mum who is now also a part-time 'day-care mum' for a nearly 17mth old little girl. I have 2 older kids at school and a son nearly 3 (in july).

My older kids as constantly asking me to walk to school, which I would love to do since its not terribly far - about 20-30mins depending on how slow they go that day! But my youngest son is too young to handle that long a walk there AND back which involves one decent sized hill and a small one for good measure!

I am thinking about getting a double stroller for my son and the little girl I care for but can't decide which is best for their sizes?

She is 17mths and weighs nearly 11kg ( 24lbs) and my son is nearly 3 and weighs 15kg (33lbs).

I definately can't afford a brand new one but have found a couple of cheap second hand side by side umbrella fold style strollers and a front & back style stroller.

Which would be better for walking with since its not for shopping or needing to get through doorways etc...?

I'm definately not going for a 'phil n teds' style or anything fancy, something simple just to get the job done.

What names do you really dislike and what names do you love?

Mine would be Tristan for a boy, I just really dislike this name for no apparent reason. As with Jasper, Cole & Colin.

And grace/rose for girls, omg i just get so irritated at the overuse of this name. So many little girls seem to be something grace or something rose lately. And isabella, aaliyah, nevaeh not my cup of tea either.

But I love the so called 'common names' like Olivia, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Hannah, Joshua, Matthew, Aidan,

What names do you love and loathe?

(and lets be nice to others shall we, this isn't a personal attack on anyone who likes names I/you happen to dislike!)

Did you also know that according to a website I found that lists top 100 baby names as at May 2010, no form of the name Aiden is found in the top 10! I think the trend is subsiding (although Jayden is #11 lol)

http://baby-names.familyeducation.com/topnames/boy...

Need name suggestions for this new little puppy, What do you think would suit him best?

(archie & sam are out)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022&id=1736...

As in songs that have been in movies that would be suitable for...

bride walking up the aisle

for walking back down the aisle after the I do's

and for when you're signing the registry in the middle of the ceremony

I think its welsh, not sure how to pronounce it?

(and no I am not pregnant or planning to use this name, its definately not my style, I'm just curious!)

If a bunch of grade 3 girls (all 8 years old) were talking about sex & 'humping' (in quite explicit words), kissing and lifting their tops to 'flash' the boys....

What would you want to see the school doing (principal, class teachers etc..) in order to stop this behaviour and let them know its not okay?

What punishments do you think would be appropriate if a child was caught talking about or doing any of the above?

How would you like the school to inform the parents that this was going on even if your child was not directly involved? Phone calls, meetings (individual or group), mail out etc..

What would you do/feel if you found out that this was going on for weeks and you hadn't been informed?

boys or girls names, what can you come up with? No stupid spellings, they have to be readable lol

Eliza, Isaac, Aidan and ....... (boy name)

Eliza, Isaac, Aidan and ........ (girl name)

I am trying to find an old friend that I am sure moved back to the UK from australia a few years ago. I'ved tried a search on facebook and myspace but of course she might be married now and changed her surname. Where do I start trying to find her using her maiden name?

Do you let your toddler graze intermittently through the day as they are hungry

or do you strictly stick to the 3 meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner?

Do you think its possible to get a 21mth old to stick to a strict meal routine to encourage better eating habits? I don't think my sons grazing is working well as he's become extremely fussy.

What are your views on it?

my son who is 21mths old on monday has gone on a food strike. Isn't that just wonderful! Like I need something else to worry about!

I am after some ideas of what your toddler eats on a daily basis.

Quick, easy & healthy breakfast and lunch ideas are especially welcome :)

He's never been big on fruit so any ideas to get him to eat more fruit?

What do you think of the name Monique?

and when it is paired with these names

Amara Monique

Olivia Monique

Aimee Monique (too rhymy?)

Alana/Alannah Monique

Elise Monique

Addison Monique

And can you think of any other girls names beginning with a VOWEL that would pair well with Monique?

Also, can you think of any other nice girls names starting with an M?

My MIL is currently still in ICU but hopefully will be up on a ward in the next few days as she is recovering from a burst appendix gone very very wrong.

She will be in hospital for another 2-3 weeks but having never had an extended hospital stay myself I don't know what might make life a little nicer or easier while she is there.

Whats something that was really appreciated by you or a loved one when you or they were in hospital?

Flowers and magazines are out, she has already got tons of those and they don't make much difference although they are lovely of course. Any other suggestions are appreciated

My libido has gone on extended vacation and doesn't seem to be returning any time soon. I have know idea what to do, i feel terrible. This has been happening for a long time and seems to be getting worse lately. My husband has been VERY patient but I can tell he's losing that patience fast and I don't blame him, this is not a fun thing to deal with for him or I.

What can I do to help bring it back and actually WANT to initiate being intimate with my husband regularly again? I'm at the point where it is really getting me down and I think about it all the time.

BTW I thought I'd ask here since its pretty much all mummies maybe going through similar situations or can maybe offer some advice :)

My libido has gone on extended vacation and doesn't seem to be returning any time soon. I have know idea what to do, i feel terrible. This has been happening for a long time and seems to be getting worse. My husband has been VERY patient but I can tell he's losing that patience fast and I don't blame him, this is not a fun thing to deal with for him or I.

What can I do to help bring it back and actually WANT to initiate being intimate with my husband regularly again? I'm at the point where it is really getting me down and I think about it all the time.