alexist

They're switching a bunch of chocolates to use whey that may not be vegetarian (by-product of cheesemaking that used animal rennet). I've e-mailed the London Beth Din to see if the kashrut is affected.

They're also listing M&Ms as not suitable for vegetarians--I wonder if they've switched from artificial colouring to carmine? I hope not.

Every so often I get a craving for a frozen Mars Bar (NB: UK Mars Bar = US Milky Way. I forget what a UK Milky Way is like, I think it's like a 3 Musketeers. I've just discovered, thanks to Wikipedia, that the US Mars Bar [which I never ate because I don't like almonds] was discontinued in 2002.) I also like the occasional M&M. It wouldn't be a tragedy if I could never have either again in the UK, but it would suck.

Mars may no longer be vegetarian, but it's all still kosher. :) Don't ask me how that works, it must have something to do with batel (nullification). I might go ask about it. But phew!

Sorry veggies but for once kashrut is more lax :) (Often it isn't, as with cheese--the problem for kosher cheese isn't just the rennet, but it all has to be supervised by observant Jews.)

Our dishwasher is not working. Well, there's nothing wrong with it exactly, there appears to be a problem with the cabinetry (it's integrated) and won't shut. The landlord has been contacted.

I did go back into town today. Foyles still had the 7th May New Yorker in. Yay! And Borders across the street had the 14th May issue so now I can keep away from bookstores for a good 10 days. This is good because after several months of being really really good, I've been on a binge. Bad girl. Binges are bad financially AND they always result in books being left unread.

Evil Caffe Nero is being stupidly slow with making its outlets nonsmoking (all hail the smoking ban on 1 July!) so they lost my custom :P

Because of the dishwasher, and because I was in town and it was already 15:00, I decided this would be the perfect night to try going out with the baby. :) I spent the rest of the afternoon in town. I got Aliza 2 new rompers (2 for £10) as they're so convenient for her to wear. This was tricky. Her 3-6 month clothes seem to be getting small (especially the sleepsuits), but I don't know, maybe it's shrinkage. 3-6 months is supposed to be up to 68cm/8kg. Then again she grew out of 0-3 WELL before the supposed limit of 6.5kg which is what she is now! I think the sizes are lies. Anyway I got her 6-9 month rompers. If they're too big she'll grow into them. I don't really want to buy her too many clothes before our trip because maybe I'll see different things in the US, and I know my mother will go nuts.

I went into Hamleys, Neil trembled in fear ;) (I texted him) but didn't buy anything. They didn't have any good stuffed toys that were suitable for babies. FAO Schwarz has a whole Baby Gund section so I'll get her a teddy there :-) I also stopped at Apple and got the power lead for using on airplanes (Virgin doesn't yet support the MBP, pah).

Borders Oxford Street is also evil: no baby change facilities! Can you believe it in this day and age? It's not as if it's an old store. She had her bottle in Starbucks. :)

Dinner was fine, although we only went for noodles so it was quick. She was mostly well behaved, which was surprising as she usually fusses during dinner. I'm increasingly suspecting that it's because she's too low to the floor in her bouncer and can't see us. When she can sit up well enough to be in a high chair (even if she isn't eating) and can watch us she'll be happier.