Canada - friendly, sincere and open

One of the many differences between Sweden and Canada is that the people here are so open and friendly. I'm not saying that Swedish people are hostile and unkind, but they are more private and harder to get close to. I often feel a bit lonely here. Mostly because I live in a new area, I don't have any friends here and with my 2 kids it's not that easy just taking a pottery class and get to know some new friends! But when I feel down it always helps to go out. To the park or the mall. I always end up chatting 10-15 minutes (sometimes an hour!) away with a stranger. And it doesn't feel artificially, it feels sincere. Maybe it helps that I always have 2 kids hanging on me...

Another nice thing is that people, young as old, are really polite. People say ma'm and madame here. And I like it! At the store they pack your groceries for you! And when you're shopping for clothes or other items they always ask if you need help and they're more than willing to help you! In Sweden I often get the impression, when a salesman/woman ask if you need help, that they ask it because they're obligated to, not because they really want to help you.

The service at restaurants is also another story here. You get help very fast, the waiter is always a blink of an eye away. I don't know how many times I've been waiting to get a waiters attention in Sweden and that is very rare here.

So, go Canada! Keep on being friendly and sincere, it rocks!

Great expectations!

We ordered the phil and ted's explorer! Oh my god, am I going to take long, nice walks! You can also run with it! So next summer I'm going to be in super bikini shape... Ha, ha!



Andréa will sit behind Lovisa, a bit lower. It's an extra seat that you attach by "an easy clic" and voila, you have a double stroller! You can also attach the seat in other positions, in front for example. And the best of all, we got it for a very reasonable price at e-bay.

Lovisa slept good all night. Andréa slept good all night, she just woke up for a poop around 2:30 am. The weather is amazing and this weekend we just have a birthday party to attend. Things feels prosperous!

Disgusting potato and the most horrible night...

This was suppose to be a fun post about Andréas first attempt to eat potato puree. Instead I'm sitting here totally exhausted after one of the worst nights ever. Lovisa had a pretty good day yesterday and was in a good mood. Up until about bedtime. Then she started to have cry and scream attacks every 15 minutes or so.  That continued THE WHOLE NIGHT! She was so upset and sad. Shivering and had cold sweats. At one point we almost where on our way to the ER, this is so unlike her! For sure, she had rough nights before but never without any specific reason and not the whole night! Let's hope and pray that this was a one time event.

Anyway, here's Andréa, trying to be a good Swedish girl eating her potato...

Back to my everyday chaos

Monday. Vacation's over. The chaos is slowly making it's entrance. Today me and the kids went to the park. Then we went to the waterfront to feed the ducks. And imagine, nobody cleaned or cooked or picked up at home. Go figure...

Toys, clothes, diapers, blankets, balloons and much more in what used to be our livingroom...

Half eaten apple - anyone?

And I'm way to tired to pick up now. Goodnight!

Applepicking!

On a nice September day in Quebec you go applepicking. So that's what we did!

Mmm McIntosh!

My apple picking man...

It's good!

 You can also play bowling with the apples...

Look at all our apples!

The most stinky day...

...turned in to a wonderful one when Dr L called and told us that Lovisa is perfectly healthy! The examination at St Justine yesterday was hard for all of us. The ultrasound was a piece of cake but the VCUG was terrible. The staff was proffessional and nice but it doesn't really matter when the things they do to your daughter is more or less terrible. Lovisa was lying on her back with her arms above her head and they tied her hard to a narrow table so she couldn't move. I was standing above her head trying to calm her as much as possible. The hell began when they started to wash her genital with alcohol and after that they inserted the catheter in her urethra. Lovisa screamed and tried to get loose. It took two people just to hold her legs. After that ordeal they began to take x-ray pictures and filled her bladder with dye. At this point she'd calmed down but she was trembling and sobbing the poor thing. Then she was suppose to pee in a cup, still lying tied to the table. They pored water on her feet and lower abdomen to make her pee but that only got her upset again. They finally gave up and let her loose. Oh, what a relieve it was to take her in my arms! She peed on the toilet and then they had to take the last pictures. I thought she would freak out when I put her back on the table but she didn't say anything. This time they didn't restrain her. When it was over they gave her a sticker and she was all happy. A bit red eyed and tired but surprisingly happy. I hope she NEVER EVER have to go through this again. H and Andréa waited outside and it was terrible for H to hear Lovisa scream without knowing what was happening. Today she's been her old self, playing, laughing and being stubborn!

My hero

Today was a big day for little Andréa to. She tasted rice cereal. The first food ever! And it was yummie!

Mmmm - rice cereal!

I'm so, so tired now. It's hard to be calm and brave when your child is in agony. But the most important thing remains, she's healthy!

Home!

Eventful vacation to say the least. Andréas baptism was a big success! Small catholic church filled with relatives, relaxed and cozy atmosphere, kids running around and a chubby priest telling jokes - lovely!

Meet Andréa Kristina Bouma

It's not easy taking a family picture... This was the best one...

Tired...

Our big girl turned 2 years on September the 8th. I can't believe it was 2 years ago I squeezed her out at Danderyds hospital in Stockholm! Time do fly...

 Grandmama arranged a big birthday celebration and learned some swedish!

 Lovisa a few hours old in papas arms...

Lovisa 2 years old in papas arms...

Besides celebrating her birthday, Lovisa had a lot of fun...

 On the beach with grandmama

My little dutch girl!

It's good to be home. My little darlings are sleeping and I'm going to join them. Tomorrow is another "big" day, we're going to St Justin to examine Lovisas kidneys. I'm getting nervous...