thanks Dory, a swing is a great idea. I will see if I can get one of those baby swings from Big W next time I am there. When I read your post I also remembered I had some of those nesting cup things that you can join together to make balls or stack them which Isaac got for christmas so I got those out, he enjoyed playing with them. I hope Hannah's cold clears up soon.

Mother guilt is a shocker, just wait until you start EC'ing, if you decide to. I think I might have mentioned that Isaac has not done number 2's in his nappy for weeks now, I have been reading his cues really well and catching them all in the toilet (I need to buy a potty to make it easier for me). Anyway I missed his cues the night before last and when I changed him into a night time nappy I discovered he had poo in it, and wow.. I just felt disgusted that I had let him sit in his own poo for I don't know how long, and felt so guilty. Now I understand why the African mamas were horrified at the thought of using nappies for the purpose of leaving their babies in their own waste, it's a very unhygenic practise when you think about it. I only hope I have the same level of communication they have with their babies, I'd really love to be able to 'catch' Isaacs wees too but I just can't see any signs that he is about to go. (Just to be clear if anyone doesn't know about EC, it is not potty training, it is about communication. Also I don't mean to offend anyone by saying nappies are unhygenic, I would be offending millions who use them including myself!)

Connie - thanks, I usually do give him lots of time playing alone. I have to so that I can things done but the problem is now he is mobile I can't really just leave him on the floor. He is getting into everything and into places he really shouldn't so I really need to be with him. I did discover a new very safe place he can play on his own today though, the hallway! I don't know why I didn't think of it before. No power points, no cords, and no shelves or chairs he can pull down

fuzzy - I hope you're feeling better soon, tummy bugs are awful.

Isaac got his passport delivered today! 20 sleeps to go