Andréa...

...rhyme with diarrhea... Didn't think of that when we gave her her name... Hope it's not a curse...  

Just a bit of whining (as usual)...

OK so I just have to complain a bit. When Christmas is over and New Year is soon to be over H is having his birthday. It has to be the worst day of the year to celebrate a birthday. Everyone is broke and/or hanged over. This year I haven't even thought of his birthday until today really. To much sick kids to worry about. Poor, poor H...

Celebrating H:s birthday 2009 at a Indian restaurant... Lovisa was a little embryo inside me...

Greetings from the infirmary!

Oh, what a wonderful Christmas Eve we had! Reunited with my family, seeing my little, beautiful niece for the first time, watching her and Lovisa play together really made my mother heart warm. Everything was great until Andréa started vomiting around 10:30 pm on Christmas Eve. Since then it's been all about giving her enough fluid to avoid dehydration. And it's been pretty ruff. Now, 4 days later, she finally stopped vomiting but still has the diarrhea. And last night Lovisa vomited in her sleep and has now a bit of diarrhea... Bloody hell, it takes a lot of energy to handle sick kids and the worrying is definitely the worst! So my Christmas wish didn't come true, is it to daring to hope for a healthy New Years Eve?

Christmas Eve before the big outbreak! 

Do you miss Lovisa in this picture? She's actually there, the little blurry thing to the right, refusing to be in the picture...

Merry Christmas!

Oh, it's that time of the year when everyone's fixing the last things before the big day. We rationalized pretty hard and decided not to give Andréa any gifts this year. She's going to appreciate eating the paper and play with the string from the wrapping more than any gifts... She's a little happy baby right now and it's so joyful to see her cruising around in her walking chair with a big smile. Chasing her sister is the favorite game. And Lovisa is a good playmate, screaming, running away and pretending Andréa is the most dangerous little monster ever! My beautiful babies...

On the huge swing in the park

Today I'm going to get the rental car that we found at FlexiDrive, which is a cool alternative to the usual car rental and more importantly cheaper! I hope I remember how to drive, in Montreal I was driving an automatic jeep...

Christmas will be celebrated in Värmland, with my family. I have a warm feeling about it, it's going to be so nice to see them all! And it's so nice to celebrate Christmas without being pregnant or breastfeeding. I'm hopefully going to enjoy eating and drinking without feeling sick or falling asleep before 8 pm! And did you know? From tomorrow it's getting a little bit brighter everyday! Merry Christmas to all of you!

How did they think?

When they made up these rules for recycling?

This basically says that the only time the door to the recycling room is open are Mondays 6-7 pm and Thursdays 7-9 am

It's just that when you have 2 little kids they usually eat, take their baths and go to sleep between 6-7 pm and they usually wake up demanding new diapers and breakfast between 7-9 am. It's not easy to save the planet...

A good weekend...

This weekend gave us a little more sleep than the past weeks. We also enjoyed good food and wine (hey! I'm not breastfeeding anymore!). And Lovisa and I did some Christmas pedicure...

 Simple is often the best; oven baked salmon with potatoes and white wine sauce... The best meal I had for a long time...

Christmas red toenails...

We're totally ready for Christmas!

End of an era

Until now I've insisted on breastfeeding Andréa in the morning. It's the only time she gets milk now. I've had a time rule which I've been very strict about holding on to. No milk before 5 am. My nurse said carefully to me, when I was complaining about the sleepless nights, that maybe Andréa needs something to eat earlier since she keeps waking up around 3-4 am every morning.

Andréa woke up at 3:30 am this morning. I changed her diaper. Cuddled with her a bit. Put her back in her crib. After 45 minutes of listening to her babbling, whining and tumbling around I just about had it. I went up, made a bottle of "välling" (google translate tells me "gruel" in english... well...) and fed her. She drank it all and fell asleep in a few seconds after that. So, she's probably hungry the little mouse. And my boobs are so tiny and the way she's been pulling and biting on them tells me there's not so much to get there anymore. So from now on it's gruel in the early morning, no more brestfeeding. It's with a bittersweet feeling I'm saying goodbye to brestfeeding. But now the time has come. My boobs are mine once again and I think it's really for the best. But I'm pretty proud considering all the problems I had this time. I did it for 8 months. It was 8 long months...

Andréa a couple of days old. Little did I know what a struggle I had ahead, but now it's over...

Making an effort...

To get some Christmas spirit despite the lack of snow we baked gingerbread yesterday. It ended up more dough in the belly than in the oven which could explain why Lovisa pooped 3 times in 3 hours yesterday evening...

Christmas party

Thursday evening I attended the yearly Christmas party at my work. It felt strangely surreal to sit there, surrounded by grown ups, and eat and drink and chat without being disrupted by somebody screaming, throwing up or pooping in the middle of the dinner. Well, it was nice.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

And I just want to cry because I'm so exhausted! Or pack my bags and leave but that's out of the question I guess so it's crying for me... It started with the jet-lag from hell, along came the stomach flu and shortly after Andréas worst cold ever. I'm actually so tired I don't really know what I'm doing from time to time. I walk around the apartment searching for things and then I forget what I'm looking for. I rush to the store just to realize I can't remember what was so important for me to get. The other day I doubled the dose of painkiller ("Alvedon") for Andréa and had to call the poison information center. I felt like the worst mother in the universe... It wasn't anything to worry about they sad, as long as I don't give a higher dose that is recommended over 24 hours. Phu... I'm still hoping for a lovely, calm, wonderful, healthy Christmas with lots of sleep. I guess hope is the last thing that remains when everything else seems hopeless...

To try to cheer us up I got the idea to take some Christmas pictures of the kids. Yeah right! Godness it was a hard task to find one, single picture where both of them looks up and sits relatively still... Here's a few examples...

I probably have about 100 more. Well, the last one is the winner... At least both have their heads up and the stupid Santa hat on!

A new world...

Today I shopped for almost 2000 SEK (about 300 CAD) ON INTERNET! A whole new world opened up when I discovered the advantages of this very easy way to shop from home. But it is a bit dangerous, click, click and you just bought a whole lot of stuff! But very convenient for a stay-at-home-mum with 2 little rascals that doesn't appreciate shopping just yet. You might think 2000 SEK is a lot of money? But I did get a lot of stuff! Or how about:

A new coat for me!

New clothes, 2 tunics and 2 leggings, and a new doll stroller for my new niece!

New clothes for Christmas for my girls!

For Lovisa

For Andréa

And last but not least a cool winter hat for me!

Ahh, shopping is fun! Have a nice weekend!

Wishlist number 2!

After a few days of stomach flu with a lot of vomit, washing sheets, towels and clothes, soothing, sleepless nights and worrying I here give you my updated wishlist for Cristmas:

• A happy, healthy family

And for the book I bought, "sova hela natten" ("a good nights sleep"), well, it's been lying on my bedside table staring at me but who the hell has the energy to read that when you have 2 sleepless, sick kids? Now, I have some sleeping to do!

Our wishlist!

We've been really good this year so I have a lot of faith that Santa is going to bring us some gifts. This is what we want:

Lovisa wants a baking set from IKEA. And a Pingu movie wouldn't hurt either...


Andréa wants a play mat to tumble around on. This is a nice one but way to expensive...



H wants a "floorball" ("innebandy") stick. He wants to get in shape! And I wouldn't mind a nice weekend on a spa. Perhaps yasuragi, which is a very cozy and peaceful place close to my heart.

So dear Santa, bring on Christmas!

Getting desperate?

Yesterday I bought the book every parent talks about: "A good nights sleep". Well, at least every Swedish parent with a baby that doesn't sleep very well. It'a a debated method how to get your baby to sleep good the whole night throw. Parents that did the procedure talks warmly about it while the Swedish health care system shakes their heads when you mention it.


Am I getting desperate? All I can think about is getting some sleep.

Small thoughts...

I used to think that it was kind of dreadful to let the TV "babysit" your kids. The past week I thank my lucky star that Lovisa appreciate TV! It's a good thing one can change ones mind...

It's a bit weird to move into a furnished apartment. It feels like living in somebody else's home and I can't seem to decide wether to like or hate the drapes in our livingroom...

People are always complaining about the Swedish health care system. Well, I think it's pretty awesome, I got an appointment and a family doctor in less than a day, in Canada it took me months to find a doctor for me and the kids! I miss the friendly Canadian people though. If you say "hi" to a stranger here they probably thing your drunk or mentally retarded. But at least Lovisa got a free icecream today after a nice lunch at Mulu café in Axelsberg. That doesn't happen every day even in Canada!

I managed to finish the first book I read since Andréa was born. It's a bit of a milestone because it's hard to prioritize reading when you get around 4 hours of total sleep during one night, but it was just light enough reading for me not to loose the thread and continue... Sushi for beginners is not a Nobel prize winner but very entertaining.

And now I'm looking forward to a good nights sleep... Muahahahahahaha!!!

Eventful advent!

To get the kids to understand that we now are living according to Swedish time wasn't so easy. Today they finally fell asleep before 8 pm. Both of them. It's been a lot going on this weekend. Andréa decided to learn how to sit on herself yesterday and we're all excited about that! Imaging, Lovisa was crawling and standing up if she held on to something at 7 months (not that I complain, on the contrary, I'm very happy Andréa is a bit more of a baby for a longer time, I know I'll run my butt of the minute she decides to crawl or walk!). It's strange how different siblings can be.

Look at me! Sitting all by myself!

After a visit to good old "systembolaget" (the place you buy your booze in Sweden) I was all happy, not only did I get a bottle of "glögg" (Swedish spiced wine that we drink around Christmas time) with taste of mocca and chocolate, I had to show my ID! Jesus, to think that there are people that somehow have a slight suspicion that I'm under 20 years old is hilarious! After all those sleepless nights! 

My dad and his wife was kind enough to bring my old Christmas box over, it's been standing in their storage since we moved to Montreal. So, after putting up some stars, drinking some "glögg", making a nice feta cheese salad and lighting the first candle (by putting a piece of paper on fire on the stove because we didn't have any matches) we got a bit of warm Christmas spirit. 

Happy first Advent!

By the way, do you think I should change the name of my blog now? And what on earth should I call it? It's not half as exotic with " En Värmlandstös i Hägersten", is it??

Jet lag hell...

We're in jet lag hell. It's terrible. The kids are totally confused and messed up. It doesn't make things easier that it's bloody dark the whole day. How are you suppose to convince them it's actually day when it's dark, grey and rainy? I DON'T KNOW!!! The first night we all slept quite good because we where so exhausted from the trip. But the second, third and now fourth night has been nightmares! The girls are suppose to share room now since we only have 2 bedrooms. So fare it's been impossible. Lovisa refuses to sleep alone and Andréa wakes up every hour, complaining or thinking it's playtime.

Andréa's been whining so much that yesterday I panicked and took the metro to Södermalm to bye a walking chair that I found for a barging on Blocket (Swedish sale site where people sell stuff they want to get rid of). I took "Rulle" (the walking chairs name) under my arm and went back home with the metro. I'm hoping she's going to be more independent in this because my arms, back and neck are aching from carrying her... Lovisa is a bit of a brat to, doing everything she's not suppose to. I bet she's looking for my attention since I'm carrying her whining little sister the whole time... Poor little mouse...

Enough with the whining now, it's been lovely to reunite with my family! I hope to see many more relatives and friends very soon!

Lovisa playing with a happy grandmother. Andréa's smiling (for once!) in her new Bumboo, a gift from her great grandmother.

Hi Sweden, Stockholm, Hägersten!

We're here, we're jet lagged and tired but alive. The flight was pretty rough. A long sleepless night, H having Lovisa in his lap and me with Andréa in my lap. It's quite the accomplishment having a flight supper with a very active 7 months baby in your knee, but it's feasible, I did it! Lovisa was cutest on the airport, insisting on pulling her own bag.

 Lovisa doing it herself!

Lovisa reading a book while waiting for our boarding passes...

Now we're trying to settle in here in Hägersten. Despite ugly curtains, whining jet-lagged kids and a very dark November I have a warm feeling growing inside me... This is going to be great!

Au revoir Montreal!

9 suitcases are packed and ready to go to Sweden. 2 babies are sleeping in their beds not knowing the big change ahead. Me, H and N is eating up the goodies from the fridge and freezer; red wine, chocolate fudge ice cream and key lime pie. And before that we had a "last" supper of "côtes levées" (spare ribs). So, you might say we're ready for the big move!

The last supper!

This past week has been all about goodbyes and it's ironic how you realize how much you appreciate your family and friends when you're about to leave them. It's been a lot of hugs, kisses, gifts and a few tears. 

 Lovisa got a goodbye gift from her old daycare, her favorite Panda (damned - another thing to bring to Sweden)!

Almond cookies from Lovisas old daycare, we'll never find a daycare like this ever again!

Now I have to finish packing the hand luggage containing of a lot of diapers, baby clothes and baby food. It was a bit different a few years back when my hand luggage used to be make up, a good book and an i pod. Times do change!

Au revoir Montreal!

Packastrophy....

Our home is a war zone. Things everywhere. We're saying goodbye to our lovely family and a bunch of good friends. It feels sad. And yesterday I received an e-mail from Lovisas old daycare saying that they really miss her and want to have her for a day to say goodbye. How sweet is that? So on Thursday she's going to the daycare to spend some time with her old friends and say goodbye. And it's pretty nice to get a chance to pack without Lovisa unpacking or taking the boxes all the time...

 Our bedroom, not so cozy anymore...

Lovisa playing hide and seek...

I try to think of it as "au revoir" more than goodbye. Then it feels a bit better. I explained to Lovisa that we're leaving, moving to Sweden and taking the airplane there. She said "wow"! And then "look a squirrel!" (it actually was a squirrel on our terrace but that's not very unusual because the whole city of Montreal is overflowing of squirrels!). So, she doesn't seem to bother about moving. It's going to be OK. Maybe a bit hard and exhausting but OK.

Soon to be Swedish girls!

Montreal we're going to miss you!

One week before the move...

So many goodbyes, so much things to prepare and leave behind. I wish I could be a little bit more like the kids that take every day as it comes and live right here, right now. Because I know all my worrying and anxiety over the move doesn't make anything better. And there are people who doesn't have a home at all, who lives in the street or in a shelter. Then it's justified to be a bit concerned! We have two homes! So what the hell am I complaining about! Sweden here we come!

To tell Lovisa that we're moving to Sweden, another continent, is not much use. She looks at me with her big, blue, beautiful eyes and doesn't understand a thing. Wouldn't that be lovely! To just tag a long, be fed, cuddled and carried. Then I wouldn't mind moving at all! Andréa's just happy when she has me in sight. If a leave the room she screams or whines until I return. Except for the evening when I had a girls night out. Then she was apparently in a state of chock and didn't say a thing all night. Before bedtime she had a bottle of formula (yes, formula!) and she slept all night! I really should go out more often!

A little help!

Is always good!

Mmm... Swedish brownie cake...

Monday entertainment

Is:

Taking the whole family to Dr L to get the flu vaccine.
Making oven baked salmon for lunch and spaghetti bolognese for supper.
Taking the stroller for a stroll, ending up in the park to let Lovisa loose.
Taking care of a messy house.
Watching "Pingu" way to many times.
Folding some laundry.
Panic about our coming move.

Goodnight!

WE'RE MOVING TO SWEDEN!!!

Finally everything is clear. In two weeks from now the whole family is moving to Sweden. More specifically back to beautiful Stockholm. It feels amazing, fun, great and just a little bit nerve wrecking. It's a lot of emotions since we of course are going to miss our Canadian family, friends and our new house that we're leaving behind.



On top of this H surprised me with a date night last night. Around 6 pm the doorbell rang and there was my sister-in-law with her sleepover kit ready to baby sit. It was then I realized that's why H had bugged me about taking a shower all day. I thought I wasn't in that terrible state, just a bit of baby vomit and cereal on my shoulder. Anyway, after a nice shower, change of clothes and more make up than I've had for a loooooong time of we went! Downtown Montreal a Friday night, cozy club with a talented Swedish artist, Loney dear, and for a little, little while I forgot about baby vomit, diapers, rashes and sleepless nights...

When is it going to turn around?

We're on the fourth week of having really shitty nights. Andréa wakes up between 3-10 times EVERY night. She fuzzes, moves, farts, whines and screams. I feel more dead than alive. I know, I know, IT'S JUST A PHASE AND THIS TO SHALL PASS! But for god sake, when you're in the middle of it it's not much of a consolation.
I've been in contact with our Swedish nurse and she came with some ideas to try to turn this nasty habit around. To make her little tummy digest the food better we're going to change her feeding schedule a bit, apparently fruits make you fart a lot so no more fruits for Andréa in the evening! I also got the advise to put her in another room than our bedroom. And that might help a bit. Because as it is now, I'm lying there listening, waiting for her to wake up and when she do I think to myself "Bloody hell, this is the ... time she wakes up - GIVE ME A FREAKIN' BREAK!!!"
I read somewhere that to go a long time without sleep slowly drives you insane. Damn right it does!

Halloweeeen!!!

This weekend is all about Halloween. Trick or treat, candy, pumpkins, skulls and horror! Traditionally it's apparently a celebration of the beginning of winter on the northern hemisphere. But I figure it's a little bit like the Swedish Easter celebration, it's a good excuse to eat lots of goodies and candies. This is one of the benefits of being a multicultural family, you get to celebrate and party more!!!

Our pumpkin lights, 2 bucks at Dollarama!

Our "real" pumpkin, about 16 bucks at IGA!

This is what it looks like inside! 

From the pulp you make a mess by boiling it in water...

And mix it with your blender and voila! Ready to make pie or soup!

I made my first pumpkin pie and it was absolutely delicious!

And here's the "shell" with candles inside of course...

 Here's our big pumpkin holding a very small pumpkin!

Happy Halloween everybody!

Why is it so hard?

Sometimes I just need to exhale and accept the situation as it is. But I'm afraid I suck at that. Like today. The house was a real mess. *panic*. The kids where whining. *panic*. The supper needs to get started. *panic*. Why can't I just turn on the oven and "do it". Why do I have to think to my self that it's bloody typical that the house is a bloody mess and the kids are whiny only because I need to prepare supper and clean? JUST DO IT!

A kitchen to panic about?

A few hours later and what do you know! The supper is on the table!