HutchBlog

Äntligen!

2012-01-24T18:45:00.000+01:00

Vintern är här! :) Snö, kallt, sol...! :) :) :)

I söndags begav vi oss ut på stjärtlappsbackejakt. Solen sken och kylan nöp oss gott i näsan - underbart!

I skogen 'hittade' braiga backe nr.1.

(den hade inte blivit mindre backig sen förra året)

Sol + snö = Ljuvligt!

Längre in/upp i skogen fann vi backe nr. 2.

Vid lekplatsen tog vi pausade vi för ostmacka och varm O'boy.

Lekplatsen var minst lika kul som vanligt trots all snö.

Allt, t.o.m. skabbiga huset, blir tjusigare under snötäcket. :)

Tredje tanden! :)

2012-01-21T17:19:00.002+01:00

Först framtanden, tredje tanden hittills, lossnade i onsdags,

med lite hjälp av krock med bästa kompisen C. :)

Mammas Stora kille!! :)

Ananas!

2012-01-11T15:54:00.003+01:00

:D
Idag ljudade Anton ihop sitt 'första' (iaf som jag hört) ord! :)

Vi stod i affären och Anton ville ha en frukt, som han inte visste namnet på... Jag bad honom att titta på bilderna och se om han kunde hitta frukten och se vad den hette.

Anton: Där! A-n-a-n-a-s... Ananas!

:)

*stolt mamma*

Mitt 2011 enligt facebook.

2012-01-10T21:08:00.000+01:00

Återblick 2011

2012-01-05T23:57:00.001+01:00

Gjorde du något 2011 som du aldrig gjort förut?
Ja. :)

Blev någon/några av dina vänner föräldrar i år?
Ja, min kusin Kati fick en efterlängtad sladdis, en liten Eskil blev det. Good baby-making there Cuz & Chris! ♥

Dog någon som stod dig nära?
Vi stod varandra inte nära, men min farbror Pekka gick bort alldeles för tidigt.

Vilka länder besökte du?
Var (väl?) inte utomland i år. Har inte ens blivit ett besök på Landet under 2011 :/

Är det något du saknar år 2011 som du vill ha år 2012?
Stabilitet.

Vilket datum från år 2011 kommer du alltid att minnas?
Oj...inget datum som har fastnat... Snacka om att 2011 var ett mindre minnesvärt år på det personliga planet. :\

Vad var din största framgång 2011?
Hmm... 'Framgång' låter så ambitiöst... :/ ...Att jag fortfarande står med båda fötterna på jorden? ...Att jag inte föll ner i avgrundsdjupet?? ;p

Största misstaget?
Jag tror inte på 'misstag' utan på att allt har en mening. Vissa saker kanske man önskat att man gjort tidigare än vad man gjorde men, i slutändan blir det nog bra, så som det var menat. :)

Bästa köpet?
När jag för första gången på länge fick 'riktigt' lön så unnade jag mig lite nya kläder - jag hoppas på att de var värda sina slantar. Ska jag välja EN grej så är det min fina WERA väska - den använder jag ju VARJE dag! :)

Vad spenderade du mest pengar på?
Räkningar...?

Gjorde någonting dig riktigt glad?
Barnen. Familjen. ♥

Vilka låtar kommer alltid att påminna dig om 2011?
Måste vara Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger! :D Kan lyssna på den 10 ggr på raken och ändå vissla med! ;)

Var du gladare eller ledsnare i år jämfört med tidigare år?
Beror väl på vilket år man jämför med...? Kan väl säga att jag önskar att 2012 är gladare än 2011 var så vet ni på ett ungefär...? :)

Vad önskar du att du gjort mer?
Skrattat. Fånat mig. Varit mer i nuet.

Vad önskar du att du gjort mindre?
Grubblat.

Blev du kär i år?
Nej.

Favoritprogram på TV?
Oj, dåligt med tv-tittande när man jobbar knastider som jag...missade mesta av höstens Grey's som jag följt fanatiskt sen starten...men vad ska man göra...?

Bästa boken du läste i år?
Geneen Roths Women, Food & God.

Största musikaliska upptäckten?
Moves Like Jagger? ;D

Något du önskade dig och fick?
Friska barn...undrar om de någonsin varit friskare? ...och där räknar jag ändå med vattkopporna båda fick i julas! :)

Något du önskade dig och inte fick?
Avslut.

Vad gjorde du på din födelsedag 2011?
Tror vi drack kaffe och käkade prinsesstårta hos Storasyster... Mina högtflygande planer på 30-årfirande blev det pannkaka av men vad gör det om hundra år...? ;p

Finns det någonting som skulle gjort ditt år ännu bättre?
Massor! :) ...och ingenting... för jag tror verkligen att saker och ting händer av en anledning...och jag väljer att se mina med- och motgångar som lärdomar, något jag kan ta med mig framöver, som gör att jag växer, som mamma, syster, människa...

Vad fick dig att må bra?
Familjen. Egentid.

Vilken kändis var du mest sugen på?
Michael Bublé...?? *skratt* Nåja, i alla fall under december månad då vi hjärntvättades av hans julskiva på 'vänliga varuhuset'. ;) Det är något charmigt med 'old school charm' - serenadsjungande, brevskrivande, bjuda en flicka på en dans eller två... eller åtminstone idén om det (speciellt med Michael Bublé i åtanke) för jag hade nog dött om jag blev utsatt för det i verkliga livet! *skratt*

Vem saknade du?
Stephen.

De bästa nya människorna du träffade?
Oj! Jag kan inte, det går inte, att välja! :) Jag har lärt känna flera go'a tjejjer på Å sen jag kom tillbaka - alla med egna härligheter. I mitt 'andliga' sökande har jag också träffa flera trevliga typer och kanske fått livslånga bekanta...

Mest stolt över?
Mig själv, jag är faktiskt rätt bra. :)

Högsta önskan just nu?
Att finna/få lite stabilitet i tillvaron. Att fortsätta orka eller, kanske allra helst, att slippa orka! :) Att få vara g l a d.

KoppErin

2011-12-27T12:21:00.001+01:00

Glass-i-sängen-koppErin.

Nu har det varit lillskrottans tur. Vattkoppor, men med allt julstök har 'dokumentationen' av kopporna inte varit lika noggrann som Antons men utvecklingen var ungefär densamma - prickar, koppor, feber, kli. :\

Juldagsutklädd koppErin

Hon har haft två nätter med oroligt sovande och hög feber, jämför med Antons ena natt, och hon är mycket mer koppig än storebror. 'Jag är världens sjukaste barn' sa hon häromkvällen men när hon såg bilden på kusin Alice (som fick sina koppor samtidigt) ångrade hon sig...nog såg Alice sjukare ut...

KoppAlice

Imorse vaknade min lilltjej mycket piggare så NU måste väl ändå det värsta vara över...! *håller tummarna*

God Jul!

2011-12-24T17:38:00.002+01:00

Goda maten.
God Jul!

Vattkoppor!

2011-12-13T22:21:00.000+01:00

Dag 2. (lördag) Kvällen innan hade vi hittat en koppa och en prick till. Vattkoppor eller inte? var då frågan. Efter konsultation av mor till hyfsat nyligen koppdrappade barn (aka. Storasyster), fick vi bekräftat att jovisstsjutton var det vattkoppor...om nu inte det snabbt ökande mängden prickar avslöjat detsamma. ;)

Ryggen dag 3. (söndag) Huj vad snabbt det kommer koppor! Och med dom en hög feber som gör att lilleman behöver sova middag ett par ggr/dag. Hyfsat gott humör trots allt men natten till måndag kliade det rejält och det blev inte mycket sömn för någon av oss... Själv var/är jag stel som en pinne efter att ha legat brevid och klappat/kliat på ryggen halva den natten.

Bilder från dag 4 (måndag) är fortfarande i telefonen. Ömt. Kinkigt. Kli:igt. Hög feber.

Lillasyster kom förbi med PoxClin, som inhandlats efter tips från Bästa A. Det hjälpte gott, han sov i 2½ timme efter att jag smörjt in han med skummet, det måste ha lindrat klådan rejält! :)

Dag 5. (tisdag)

Han vaknade med närmare 40C feber idag. Isglass till frukost kändes helt OK! :) Efter gott resultat av febernedsättande och skön, varm, lååångdusch kändes Anton nästan som ny igen. Han orkade busa med lillasyster och lussa/leka hemma hos kusinerna på eftermiddagen.

Jag tror att det värsta är över nu och att han är på bättringsväg! :)

GLAD LUCIA!

Lucia 2011

Elsa, Julia, Anton (vart tog Erin vägen?!) ;)

Testing

2011-12-02T19:10:00.001+01:00

Provar att blogga från Ray. :-)

the twilight saga - breaking dawn part 1

2011-11-22T13:14:00.000+01:00

(in English to keep the language the same as previous posts)

On Satuday my sisters and I had booked ourselves an 'Twiday' at mums (who minded the kiddies with brother-in-law). :) 6 hours of... debating the good, bad and ugly, acting capabilities (or not! ;)), what had been left out (or should've been), what's up with all the bad fake blondes (?!) ;p , swooning over vampires and werewolves, eating rubbish and some fruit :) before it was finally time to go to the cinema and see the eagerly awaited Breaking Dawn - part 1. :)

OMG! OMG! OMG! ;)
I love, love, love it!! Perfect! I've got a new favourite movie in the saga! :) :) :) Sure, it's never going to be The Books but this movie was good! :)

We were all a bit (OK, a lot!) concerned about where the ending was going to be it could've been wrong but it ended right! :D Ending the movie where it did makes sense. :) Now I don't mind (well I do, a little bit! ;)) waiting for about a year for the next movie...

Kristen must have gotten some acting lessons, or perhaps she finally managed to 'tune in' to Bella's pregnancy misery... Kristen does misery well, but she's not managed to do Bella as well. I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed that she's had what it takes to do Bella in part 2. :) :) :)

Loved it! :) Best though, was the whole day spent with my sisters. ♥

November?

2011-11-22T09:09:00.002+01:00

Var har den här månaden tagit vägen...?? November brukar kännas som läääängsta månaden på året och så kom och var den (så gott som) över i ett nafs! Det har väl mest varit jobb, livspussel och vardag, som det brukar vara. :)

Jag hade en trevlig helg hemifrån i början av månaden, som helt var min och nu i helgen var det Twiday (eget inlägg kommer?) med systrarna. :)

Barnen då...? Ja, de har väl fått passa in livspusslandet, som den senaste tiden har inneburit en hel del mer Mommo-tid och kusinlek. :) :) :)

Snart är december här, med lussetåg, tomtar, glitter och snö (?). Storasyster är den jultokiga av oss så jag lämnar, med lite jag-är-ingen-pyssel/julkul/bullmamma-skam, julbak/stök/'kul' åt henne. :) :) :) ...och försöker trösta mig med att vi alla är bra på olika saker... (undrar bara vad min 'bra'-grej är?)

Tacksam är jag i alla fall att julstöket blir av utan min otålighet. ♥

På återseende!

Anton 6 år

2011-11-05T22:09:00.000+01:00

Nu, först nu är han, vår förstfödde, 6 år. :) För...om du inte visste, så har man inte fyllt år förrän man fått födelsedagstårta och eftersom det inte blev någon tårta på dagen så blev han alltså inte 6 år gammal förräns idag - då han faktiskt fick två tårtor! ;)

I tisdags, då han i min mening blev på tok för stora 6, vaknade vi tidigt ("tack" vare vintertidsomställning av klockan). Jag tror vi får vänta minst 10 år till innan vi kan väcka/överraska honom på födelsedagsmorgonen med sång och paket. :) Redan 5:45 öppnades paketen! :) :) :) Ingen chans att jag ställer klocka på 5 för att hinna före honom! ;D

Presentdags!

Pressie time!

Tidigt hoppbyggande av legorobotgubben.

Early assembling of lego robot dude. ;)

Morgonpigg som han är var det inga problem, värre var det nog för pappa. ;)

Being an early bird, he had no problems getting the job done. I think it was harder for Daddy. ;)

Idag var det då dags Kalaset. :) Först kom kompisarna, tyvärr utan bästisen C som var saknad. Det lektes och åts och dracks och lektes lite mera. :) Lagom till att det kändes som om det var dags att avrunda, var det dags att avrunda! :) :) :)

Efter att kompiskalasandet var klart kom Familjen och stannade härligt länge. :) Många roliga presenter blev det också såklart, utklädningskläder, lego, dataspel, beyblades, mera lego, bok, pengar och en klar favorit var en STOR mjukisBuzz från mostrarna med familj/karlar (i skrivande stund ligger Buzz varmt omstoppad och tätt intill den sovande 6-åringen). :) :) :)

Mommo och Anton klurar på legoinstruktioner.

My mum and Anton are pondering the lego instruction manual. :)

Aargh! :D Helt underbar Jack Sparrow-dräkt!

Aargh! :D In his brilliant Jack Sparrow costume!

2:a födelsedagstårtan. Nöjd kille!

2nd birthday cake. Well pleased little guy! :)

När Anton kom till världen. ♥

2011-10-31T23:36:00.000+01:00

(nedtecknat 2005-11-22, redigerad för bloggen 2011-10-31)
In English - please scroll down.

Tisdagen den 1/11-05 kl.06.18 föddes Anton på Östras KK. Han vägde 3685 gram och var 52 cm lång. Han föddes 2 veckor efter BF (beräknad förlossning/födelse?) och efter 54 timmars värkar. Jupp! :) :)
Nåja...endast 9 timmar räknas av barnmorska och läkare då det var först då förlossningen klassas som "aktiv" men jag måste dock säga att "vilofasen", latensfasen, kändes bra aktiv den med!

Jag vaknade vid midnatt natten till söndag (30/10) av att jag hade ont i magen, gick på toa och försökte somna om...gick inte, gjorde alldeles för ont.
"Är detta på riktigt nu?!"
"Är vår lillkille äntligen på väg...??"
Jag började med att kolla hur tätt värkarna kom - var 5:e minut...!

Jag lyckades hålla mig i en hel timme innan jag väckte Stephen för att få hjälp med att kolla längden på värkarna. Värkarna kom tätare nu, 4 min mellanrum och ca 45 sekunder långa. Ringde och pratade med barnmorskan på Mölndals sjukhus och beslöt oss för att vänta ännu lite till...var 3:e min och 55 sekunder långa var rekommendationen från barnmorskan. Slog även en signal till mamma och förvarnade henne att det nog snart var dags att åka in.

Vid 3-tiden var värkarna "tillräckligt" långa och täta för att vi skulle kunna åka in och med medveten "risk" att bli hemskickade åkte vi in till Mölndal för att se hur det gått framåt. Väl där blev jag kopplad till CTG och SÅKLART stannar värkarna av...! :/ Nu kom de endast var 10 min ungefär...och jag var bara öppen 1-1½ cm...*suck* Hade väl hoppats på liiiite mer men men... Det visade sig inte vara det "största" *fnys!* problemet... Barnmorskan förklarade för mig att de, på Mölndal, har en oskriven policy som säger att kvinnor med BMI över 35 inte får/kan föda på Mölndals KK?!? Den policyn skall ha gällt under våren/sommaren och vara en ganska så klar "regel". Hmpf! :[

(Jag blev bokad på överburenhetskontroll på Mölndal tre dagar innan förlossningen satte igång av sig självt och min bm visste uppenbarligen inte om denna regel då hon i sånt fall hade informerat mig att Mölndal inte var en valmöjlighet för mig.)

För tjockisar krävs det tydligen två läkare om-ifall-att det skulle bli behov av kejsarsnitt under förlossningen (hörde även nämnas nåt om att deras operationsbord inte "håller" för fetton). De hade inte några problem med att förlösa tjockisar vaginalt men eftersom de inte i förväg kan säga hur det går så... Jag blev alltså först hänvisad hem, då värkarbetet inte satt igång "ordentligt", och sen vidare till Östras Specialförlossning (!?!) eftersom min BMI var för hög...! :\
Vi åkte hem till mamma eftersom vi var övertygade att det skulle bli bebis under följande dag. Så fort vi lämnat sjukhuset kom värkarna igång igen... Mellan kl.5-8 var värkarna STARKA och långa, över 1 min, och kom med 3-2 mellanrum. Men jag ville verkligen inte bli hemskickad igen så vi väntade så länge vi kunde innan vi tyckte att nu måste värkarna väl ändå ha tagit ordentligt...!

När vi väntat "klart" och är redo att åka till Förlossningen igen ringer jag Spec. på Östra för att "anmäla" att jag som tjockis ska föda hos dom, blir dom MINST SAGT förvånade! "Va? Det har jag inte hört nåt om förut.... Pga din BMI?? Näe...hur menar du...? Det är väl en regel som Mölndal själva hittat på...! Du är klart JÄTTEVÄLKOMMEN att föda hos oss men inte behöver du komma till Spec. utan åk in till Normalförlossningen du, där tar dom hand om dig!". :) :)

Kl.8 kommer vi till Östra, var bara öppen 1½-2 cm (!?!). De där plågsamma timmarna hade inte gjort NÅN skillnad!? Kopplades igen till CTG:n och bums så lugnade värkarna ner sig igen...tillbaka ner till var 10:e min och helt plötsligt bara en 30-40 sek långa. Jag tror inte att barnmorskan trodde på oss när vi sa hur tätt värkarna hade kommit hemma...

Vid 12-tiden gav jag upp och vi åkte hem till mamma igen och vi lyckades alla sova i ett par timmar. Jag var helt slut! Söndagen gick...värkarna kom var 10:e min, var 5:e emellanåt och ca. 1 minut långa.

Vid midnatt, alltså 24 timmar efter att allt satt igång, åkte Stephen och jag till Östra igen för att kolla läget och få nåt som jag kunde sova på. Jag var öppen 2 cm! *SUCK!* Fick två Panocod, åkte till mamma och sov 2 timmar...slumrade sedan i 3-4 timmar till mellan värkarna.

Måndag morgon...TRÖTT! Mamma åkte en sväng till jobbet och affären. Stephen och jag gick på promenad och vilade. Fortfarande värkar ungefär var 10:e - 5:e min och 1 min långa. ONT gjorde dom också...svårt att stå och att andas när dom kom *flåsflås!* ...och dessa värkar RÄKNAS inte ens?!? Var rätt så less på allt... :(

Bästa vännen A. ringde, hon hade handlat en present och ville komma över en sväng på eftermiddagen. Jag fick en JÄTTEFIN "skyddsängel" att ha med till förlossningen som stöd. ♥ Hon kom över vid 5-tiden och då kom värkarna med ordentlig kraft! Nu var dom LÅNGA! Nästan 2 min långa och var 5:e min! AJAJAJ! Vi lyckades ändå äta middag och väntade...och väntade... A. åkte hemåt och vi väntade lite till. Denna gången skulle jag INTE åka hem igen!

Vid 20-tiden åkte vi in till Östra för tredje gången och jag var nu öppen 3 cm och värkarna var kvar även då CTG var på. Vi fick stanna! :)

Väl inskriven på avdelningen ställde jag mig i duschen, det hade hjälpt hemma hos mamma tidigare på kvällen. UNDERBART! Stod där i duschen i 2-3 timmar tills värkarna blev FÖR starka och värmen/vattentrycket inte längre hjälpte. Provade akupunktur, avslappningsnålarna i huvudet hjälpte en del men de i magen tog vi snart bort...

Nu var det slut på de smärtlindringsmetoder jag tänkt att jag skulle "klara" mig på.. Hade ju ONT och flåsandet hjälpte inte heller längre. OK - in med lustgasen och den + avslappningsCD:n hjälpte! SÅ SKÖNT att hänga över saccosäcken på knä i sängen...lugn och fiiin... HÖG som ett hus javisst :D men jag fick fortfarande tillräckligt med frisk luft så att jag kände att jag hängde med.

Tiden gick.

Vid 3-tiden på natten kom smärtan med ökad intensitet och därefter minns jag inte mycket. Ville inte ta EDA:n...men lustgasen gjorde inte längre det som den skulle. Tog för mycket, för ofta och ibland fel för att jag var så borta i smärtan och lustgasruset och jag hade fortfarande OOOOONT!! Jag var TRÖTT, uppgiven och rejält smärtpåverkad...funkade inte längre! :( Bad till sist att få EDA:n, "Den kommer snart".

Vi väntade och väntade medan Stephen och mamma gjorde sitt yttersta för att övertala mig att stanna kvar :) ;P och att åka hem inte var någon valmöjlighet. Jag var säker på att jag skulle dö och när vattnet gick nån gång vid 4 (enligt journal, mamma och S) trodde jag att det var blod som jag låg i och att det nu var kört för både bebisen och mig. :\
JAG ORKAR INTE MERA!

Till sist, efter nästan en timme, kom ÄNTLIGEN narkosläkaren som skulle sätta EDA:n! "Ligg stilla nu...", *lullullblajblajsnack* SKITSNACK! I huvudet (?) svarade jag med SÄTT BEDÖVNINGEN FÖR I HELVETE!!! Jag gör PREEEECIS VAD DU VILL bara du tar bort smärtan! Sluta snacka skit och gör det du kom hit för att göra!
Vid 5 (igen enligt journalen) började EDA:n verka och jag slumrade en liten stund. Jag kände fortfarande magen arbeta men äntligen var jag kvitt smärtan och ÄNTLIGEN fick jag VILA!

Strax innan 6 ringde jag på barnmorskan då jag tyckte att det tryckte på och att det kändes MER än tidigare...hon "kollade läget" och sa att jag var öppen 10 cm och klar och färdig för att krysta.

VA!?! Ska jag orka KRYSTA också?!? Var ju helt SLUT! ORKAR INTE!
"Flåsa inte nu utan håll inne med kraften och tryck på." Hur ska jag kunna det!? Jag har inte gjort något annat än att flåsa de senaste 2-3 dygnen!?! Jag var helt övertygad om att hon skulle vara tvungen att ta sugklockan till hjälp då jag kände att jag verkligen inte hade NÅGON styrka kvar men...! :) ...efter ett par rejäla krystningar, klipp och liten bristning kom han ut! :D :D :D Det tog inte ens 20 min, kl. 06.18 var han här! Vår Anton! ♥ Vi grät allihopa när han kom till världen.

Stephen sa att han aldrig hört ett sådant avgrundsvrål tidigare som det jag gav ifrån mig under den sista krystningen och han var säker på att att Storasyster och Svåger hade hört mig ända bort i Partille.
Antons hjärtljud sjönk något mot slutet så det var nog mycket därför det gick så fort mot slutet och det var också därför barnmorskan var tvungen att hjälpa till med saxen. Hon fick suga rent luftrören på honom då han fått i sig lite fostervatten men när doktorn kom och kollade honom och han var frisk och fin! :)

Moderkakan kom ut utan att jag var något större besvärad. Det var ett himlans pillande och pysslande innan jag var ihopsydd men sen var det festfrukost, vägning, mätning och vidare upp till BB där vi stannade tills torsdag lunchtid.

Förlossningen var en ordentlig pärs...inte alls vad jag trott, tänkt eller förväntat mig. Jag var chockad över tiden det tog och smärtan när den kom ORDENTLIGT på natten...
Tror att jag kanske hade kunnat hantera smärtan lite bättre om jag inte varit så vansinnigt TRÖTT, om inte "latensfasen" varit så lång. Jag hade ju ingen energi kvar att bearbeta smärtan när den väl kom, på "riktigt".

Situationen var som tur är aldrig akut eller farlig och det är jag tacksam för. ♥ Med lite distans till hela händelsen så kan jag säga att jag har lärt känna mig själv och min kropp på ett sätt jag aldrig kunnat utan denna erfarenhet.
Nästa gång (JA! jag kan faktiskt föreställa mig att det kan bli en NÄSTA gång!) kommer jag veta bättre...kunna mer... :)

Anton, några minuter gammal. ♥

In English:

Our Anton ♥ was born on Tuesday November 1st at 6:18 am. He weighed 8 lbs 12 oz and was 20" long.
I was two weeks over due and I’d been having painful contractions for 54 hours... However, only 9 hours of that counts as "active" labour by doctors and midwives since they start counting when you are 3-4 cm dilated. I started counting from when the PAIN started! :)

I woke up just before midnight on Saturday the October 29th with pains in my tummy, I thought I just needed to go to the toilet and then I'd be able to go back to sleep...but no luck...it hurt too much.

"Is this it?"
"Is it finally happening??"
"Has he finally decided to come out...?"
I started checking how regular my contractions were... every 5 min... Managed to keep calm and walked around the flat for about an hour before I woke Stephen so that he could start timing the contractions with me.
They came approx. every 4 min and lasted for about 35-45 sec. I called the maternity ward and we decided to wait for another while before going in...the recommendation was to wait 'til the contractions came every 3 min and lasted for about a minute.
I also called my mum (who was labour partner no.2) and told her that it shouldn't be too long 'til we had to go.

At about 3am we decided that the contractions were long and frequent enough to go to the hospital. I was very aware of there being a possibility of being sent home again but I wanted to get checked out and see what the progress was...

At the hospital I got hooked up to the CTG and OF COURSE the contractions went down, every 10 min and I was 1-1½ cm dilated (I think she was being nice adding the ½ cm). *sigh!* I had hoped for a little bit more but alright...

Rather than going home we went to mum's since we were SURE that the baby would be born that Sunday. As soon as we left the hospital the contactions returned stronger than before. Between 5 and 8 am they were STRONG and LONG, over a minute and with about 2-3 min between them. I really didn't want to have to go back home again so we waited and waited, with Stephen pacing at the front door ready to go, until we were as sure as we could be that NOW there would be progress!

Again to the hospital and the CTG and back down to contractions every 10 min!?!?! I was dialeted 1½-2 cm...those hours of torture hadn't made a bit of difference!?! *SIGH!*

I think the midwife thought we were lying when we told her how long and close the contractions had been at home... We didn't go home straight away but after a couple of hours I got fed up and decided I would rather do the waiting at mum's.

Back home again we all managed to get about an hour or two of sleep, we were all exhausted! Sunday came and went with the contractions coming every 10 min, sometimes every 5 min, and they lasted for approx. a minute.

At around midnight, 24 hours after it had all started, Stephen and I went back to the hospital for the THIRD time to check how things were going and to see about getting something that could help me sleep.
I was dialeted 2 cm!?! :( They gave me 2 pills to help me with the pain and then we went back to mums and slept for 2 hours and then rested as much as possible between the contractions for another 3-4 hours.

Monday morning...I was SO TIRED! Mum went to the grocery store and work to get her laptop so that she could work from home. Stephen and I went for a walk and rested when possible. Contractions kept coming every 5-10 min and were about a 1½ long. It was hard...and PAINFUL, difficult - almost impossible - to stand or to breathe when they came...and THESE contractions don't even count!?!

My best friend A. had bought me a gift and wanted to come over in the afternoon to see how I was doing. :) She came with a beautiful "guardian angel" for me to have with me at the hospital during delivery! ♥ She came at about 5pm and the contractions also came with a new force! 2 minutes long and every 5 minutes! PAIN! We managed to have something to eat and waited and waited and waited... A. went home and we waited some more. This time I was NOT going back home again!!

At 8pm we arrived at the hospital, FOR THE FOURTH TIME, finally the contractions were showing on the CTG and I was dialated 3 cm (yay!?) and it was OK for me to stay! :)

After being signed in to the ward I stood in the shower for a while, it had relieved the pains at mum's earlier in the evening and it felt GREAT! I stood there for 2-3 hours until the contractions became too strong and the heat/waterpressure no longer helped. I tried acupuncture, the ones that were supposed to help me relax worked best, the pain relieving ones were removed almost straight away.

I was starting to run out of methods of pain relief that I thought I'd be able to do the "job" with... It was PAINFUL and my breathing didn't help much anymore. OK...lets give the Nitrous Oxide a go! That combined with my cd of relaxing music helped! :) Felt SOOO GOOD hanging over the bean bag on my knees in the hospital bed...nice and calm...high as a kite YES :) but not too lost since I still got enough fresh air to keep track of what was going on.

Time passed.

At about 3 am (Tuesday now) the pain suddenly became even stonger and after that my memory is a bit blurry. I really didn't want to take the epidural but the Nitrous no longer helped. I took too much, often at the wrong time so I was in PAAAAIIIIN!!! Tired, fed up and no longer able to follow in the birthing process due to the pain I was in I finally asked for the epidural. "You'll get it soon. We just need to wait for the anaesthetist and she'll be here shortly."

We waited and waited for what felt like an eternity during which time mum and Stephen did their best to convince me to stay and that going home wasn't an option.
I was convinced I was going to die and when my water finally broke at about 4am (according to my medical records, Mum and S) I thought I was lying in a pool of blood...
I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANY MORE!

FINALLY, after almost an hour, they came to give me the epidural! Just before 5am (again according to med. records) the epidural stared to set in and I dozed of for a bit. I could still feel my stomach work with the contractions but the worst pain was gone and I could FINALLY get some REST!

Just before 6am I called for the midwife since I thought the pain had changed...
She "checked me out" and said I was fully dialated and she was just going to get her things ready and then I could start pushing! WHAT?! Was I supposed to have the energy to PUSH as well!?! NO WAY!

"Now don't let the air out, keep the pressure in and PUSH! when you feel the contraction." How was I supposed to do that?! I hadn't done much of anything else but breathe for 3 nights and 2 days and now I was supposed to keep it in and push...?! I was SURE I didn't have the strength left to get him out without help but... :) after pushing for all I was worth a couple of times - out he came!! :D Not even 20 minutes later, at 6.18am, he was here! Our Anton! ♥ We all cried and Stephen said that the scream that came out of me at that last push was out of this world and he was sure he wasn't going to need to call my sister and brother-in-law, who live 10 min away from the hospital, to tell them the baby was here because they must have heard me! :P

Anton's heart rate dropped at the end and that was one reason why he came out so quickly. I did tear a little bit and the midwife had to cut me as well. She also had to suck Anton's airways clean since he'd gotten some fluids in him. When the doctor came to check him out and there were no problems! :)

After all the fixing down below was done :P Anton was weighed and measured, and we got breakfast and were then transfered to the ward were we stayed until Thursday.

In summary...? Not at all what I had imagined, thought or expected. I was in a bit of a shock over how long it took and the severity of the pain when it REALLY came on Monday night...

I think I might have had a fair chance to deal with the pain better had I not been SO tired. I had no energy left to work with the pain when I really needed it... Thankfully there was never any real danger for my or Antons life and I'm TRUELY grateful for that. ♥

With a bit of distance to it all I can now say that I've gotten to know myself and my body in a way I never would have been able to if I'd been without this experience.
Next time... :D YES! I can actually imagine that there will be a NEXT time ;) I'll know better...know more...

(written for PRU at the end of 2005, edited for blogger Oct. 31st 2011)

Anton, a few minutes 'old'. ♥

And... young E. - suddenly older. :)

Piñata...?!

2011-10-19T18:51:00.000+02:00

Häromdagens Anton:
A: Mammaaa...?
Jag: Mmm hjärtat?
A: Jag önskar mig en piñata på mitt kalas...
Jag: ??? :D Okeeej, hur kom du tänka på det...? :) (jag skyller på Dora! ;))
A: Vetinte, jag kom bara på att jag vill ha det.

En piñata?! :D :D :D Jag som tyckte det var krångligt att fixa jordgubbstårtan i november! ;)

Anton: Mummyyy...?
Me: Mmm hun...?
A: I want a piñata for my birthday...
Me: ??? OK, what (who? I blame Dora! ;)) made you think of that??
A: Dunno, just figured I want one...

A piñata!? :D That's so not the usual party feature over here...! :D I thought it was difficult enought to one year get him a strawberry cake (that he'd had his heart set on since summer when the berries are easily available) in November...! :D

Glugg!

2011-10-09T21:10:00.001+02:00

Nu har vi fått oss en 'riktig' glugg! ;) Den första hade redan en tand bakom så det var allt lite fusk att kalla det för glugg, men nu så! :) En alldeles riktig glugg och en tokfin ny tand brevid! :) :) :)

We've got a gap, a 'real' one this time. ;) The first 'gap' already had a tooth behind it so technically it wasn't actually a gap...but! :D Now we've got one, an actual gap, with a beautiful brand new tooth beside it. :) :) :)

Discodax! :)

2011-10-06T21:37:00.000+02:00

Imorgon är det dags för Antons första skoldisco. :) Jag var/är helt oförberedd och oootroligt glad att jag fick ett samtal från en mamma med koll som informerade om tid/plats/pris + att hon erbjöd att skjutsa Anton hem också. :) :) :)

Undrar om min mamma alltid hade stenkoll för jag kan inte komma ihåg att jag någonsin missat något viktigt eller att jag som liten, under stor förvirring, skickats iväg till/på något... Sådär som jag känner att jag själv allt som oftast gör... :\

Eller...kanske glömmer man bort hur vimsiga ens egna föräldrar var...??? :) Jag kan ju alltid hoppas att barnen inte minns vilken hopplös mamma jag är mesta tiden.

Stor grej med första discot... :) :) Nu kan han även stolt visa upp ytterligare en glugg då tand nr. 2 lossnade idag! :D

mammaskäms

2011-09-30T14:17:00.000+02:00

:D Ja-a...även mammor har grodor i munnen...! ;)

Vid matbordet slarvades det lite mer än jag orkade med och båda barnen skyllde på den andre... Måttligt road suckade jag: "Jag skiter i vem som gjorde vad, sluta nu båda två!"

Erin (i en myndig ton): "Mammaaa, du kan faktiskt säga att du inte bryr dig om vem som gjorde vad istället för att skit..." :D

Hupp! ;P Jamenjustja...! Ooops. :)

Nu har den lossnat! :)

2011-09-23T09:02:00.000+02:00

Dålig bild men här e den, första gluggen! :)

Poor photo but here it is (or isn't ;))! The gap!

En lös tand! :)

2011-09-14T14:42:00.000+02:00

Ääääntligen! :) Anton har en lös tand! :D I fredags började den äntligen att lossna! :) Så som han har väntat! ♥ Han har redan hunnit få två sexårständer medan kusiner och kompisar har munnarna fulla av gluggar. :)

Det är spännande, kul och inte så lite nervöst med en lös tand "Tänk om det gör ONT...? Vad händer om den lossnar när jag sover?" Säkrast visste såklart kusinerna Julia och Elsa...min försäkran om att det inte gör ont var inte mycket värt. ;) Under helgens kalas så var han märkbart lugnad av att även E och J också *phew* sa att det inte gör ont. :)

Det är kul att vicka på tanden men, "när jag leker så glömmer jag bort att vicka på den." sa han imorse :) och tur är väl det. :) :)

Den nya tanden har redan börjat komma fram och den är stor, som två små mjölktänder så jag vet inte riktigt HUR de nya tänderna ska få plats! :)

Finally! Anton's got a loose tooth! On Friday he had a long awaited wiggly tooth! :)He's been waiting for for SO long...! ♥ He's already gotten his first two permanent molars whilst friends and cousins have their mouths full of gaps! :)

Having a loose tooth is fun and kinda scary at the same time... "Whatif it HURTS...? Whatif it comes out when I sleep??" Of course cousins J. and E. knew best about these sorts of things, my reasurrance that it doesn't hurt was not much worth. ;) After speaking with the girls on Saturday and finding out the it doesn't hurt he was much more at ease about this big-boy-event! :D

His new tooth has already started growing, so he'll not have a gap for too long...! ;) It's HUGE, :D the size of two little baby teeth...not sure how they'll all fit in... :)

Den känns lös därinne i munnen... Hur mycket kan man vicka på den...?

Wonder how much I can wiggle it...?

Ser ni jättestora jättetanden? :)

See the new one? Huge! :)

Kalaskul Lisebergslördag!

2011-09-14T14:10:00.000+02:00

Ojoj, KusinElsa har fyllt 6 år! Snart är det Antons tur?! :O I lördags hade SötTösen kalas och efter alla kalasgästerna åkt hem och en massa velande fram och tillbaka, pga regnets vara eller icke vara, bestämde Storasyster och jag att Jo! Vi tar Lisebergsbesöket idag! :) Sent omsider kom vi dit och barnen fick sina snordyra åkband (Tack Mommo! ♥ ) och trots att vi verkade komma på den mest välbesökta blöta helgen på säsongen så fick barnen åkt och åkt och åkt och de verkade alla vara väldigt nöjda med besöket. Vi hade lätt kunnat spendera ytterligare 3-4 timmar på "det glada" men tiden tog helt enkelt slut...! Strax efter kl. 22 kom vi hem till Mommo och jag hann t.o.m. bädda sängar och borsta barnens tänder innan småttingarna till sist slocknade efter en rekordlång rekordrolig dag! :) ♥

Photos from Saturday's visit to Liseberg.

#detärokejattkänna

2011-09-09T22:22:00.000+02:00

Fuck cancer.

Morgonstund har guld i mun.

2011-09-08T22:26:00.000+02:00

Imorse var det uppstigning tidigt och till råga på allt var jag tvungen att duscha (näe jag kunde inte duscha kvällen innan för jag var hemma kl.22 och ville baaara sooova! ;p) så jag fick därför masa mig ur säng 10 minuter innan senaste-snooze-tid-tiden. ;p Efter att jag fått i mig kaffe och lite liv var dags att snällt väcka mina vanligtvis morgonpigga trollungar... Det tog sin tid så då förstår nu hur tidigt det var!

Efter lite övertygande steg trollen till sist upp och efter ytterligare övertygande kom kläder på och tänder blev borstadet och till sist kom även ytterkläder på. Med andan i halsen schasade jag ut småfolket ur dörra och gjorde jag min sista snabbkontroll för att försäkra att jag kommit ihåg allt och inte glömt något så hör jag Anton säga:
- Åååh! Mammaaa...! Titta vad fiiiint!

När jag kommer ut och undrar vad det är så pekar han lyckligt på den grå-blå-rosa morgonhimlen. ♥ Min underbara guldklimp! :) I sådana ljuvliga stunder av här&nu&ingenting-annat undrar jag om det finns något jag överhuvudtaget kan lära dom...?! De har ju precis redan allt, allt som jag måste lära mig...!

:) :) :)

Med myskänsla i magen skyndade jag på mina små till bussen...tills jag kom på att jag trots allt glömt Erins regnbyxor (!) och fick skynda tillbaka hem. ;p Bussen plockade upp oss 50 meter innan hållplatsen (ibland är det allt gött att bo i byhåla!). :D

Efter att vi lämnat av Anton till fritids så såg Erin och jag en härlig hel regnbåge, som 'försvann' alldeles för snabbt pga den stigande solen... Magiskt var det i alla fall. :)

Bra start på seeeg morgon och nu, nu ska jag sova...för det är dags för likadan, om än lite mindre tidig, start imorgon bitti.

Go'natt! ♥

Inte så virrig, bara glömsk?

2011-09-05T19:54:00.000+02:00

Ja-a...för nog visste jag väl det! Jag har stenkoll på våra/barnens grejjer! ...men...ibland glömmer jag bort vart jag lagt (glömt!) saker. För jag VISSTE att jag inte glömt Antons regnbyxor på fritids eller bussen. Jag TOG hem dom...! Men...de var ju borta! Så nya blev det. Samma dag som de användes första gången hittade jag de 'borttappade'! ;p I väskan, där jag lagt dom...när vi varit på biblioteket...!
*himlar med ögonen åt mig själv*

Sååå typiskt JAG! :p

Vad händer mera? Jag jobbar ju mest hela tiden känns det som - även om jag faktiskt var ledig för en vecka sen. Barnen e som barn är, trivs i skolan och på dagis. :) De säger söta saker som jag glömmer allt för snabbt och gör mindre söta saker som jag kommer ihåg alldeles för länge...!

I knew it! I hadn't lost his rainwear trousers! I'd "just" forgotten that I'd put them in the bag we had with us to the library... I remembered as soon as he'd gotten/and worn his new trousers for the first time...! *rolls eyes at myself!*

SOooo Me!

What else? Me working mainly. Kiddies are like kids mostly are. They say the cutest things that I forget too quickly and they do less cute things that I remember too long!

Virrpannamamma

2011-08-29T09:32:00.001+02:00

Regnet ÖSER ner och jag kan inte hitta Antons regnbyxor...! :p Jag VET att jag tog med dem (byxor+luvan till jackan) "hem" från fritids på torsdag och det enda som kvarstår, efter att jag vänt upp o ner på huset i jakt på dem, är att jag måste ha glömt grejerna på bussen!?! :O Virrpannamamma!

Han har ett jättefint regnset i garderoben, 'tyvärr' är det fleecefodrat så det funkar liksom inte riktigt än...! :\ Om byxorna inte dykt upp på Västtrafiks hittegods imorgon måste jag ge mig in till stan och köpa ett nytt par... *mutter* Nåja! Erin växer ju i hans kläder så småningom, hade vart ännu mer 'onödigt' att köpa nya till henne... Men! Jag lyckas säkert vimsa bort hennes ytterplagg också! ;P

I'm such a scatterbrain at the moment! I just for the life of me can't remember where I've put the trousers that go with Anton's rain gear. This of course happens when we've been having torrential rain...! *sigh!* I've looked everywhere so, the only option left is that I've left them on the bus we took home from school on Thursday. The lost-and-found didn't have any trousers in today, I'll give them a call again tomorrow and if nothing has shown up I'll have to go in to town to get him a new pair... Thankfully Erin will grow into whatever he gets but...I've still got time to lose, and need to replace, her things too! ;p

BlaBlaBla...

2011-08-27T21:29:00.000+02:00

Nu har jag snart varit (föräldra)ledig i en vecka. :) Skööönt, att bara få vara. :) Erin har ju också varit ledig från dagis och har varit supernöjd med det. Hon längtar inte alls dit, hon e nöjd med att få vara själv med 'Mammii'. ♥ Anton har gjort sin första vecka i Nollan och är lite tjurig på mig för att han ALDRIG får gå på fritids! ;) Fritids e kul! Och mitt mammahjärta lugnas lite granna...han är kanske inte så liten trots allt. ;)

Simskolan börjar igen imorgon för Anton. Eftersom jag inte fick ändan ur vagnen i våras när platser skulle bokas fanns det inte plats för lillfröken. *mammaskäms* Hoppas hon inte blir allt för ledsen...eller att en plats kanske dyker upp i gruppen? :]

I've been off for almost a week now and it feels GREAT. To be home and just chill is fab. :) Erin's been home with me too and has not missed nursery at all whilst Anton (who's been to 'school' in the mornings) is a bit annoyed with me since he "never!" gets to go to Fritids (afterschool daycare)! ;) I'm happy he likes it so, since that bit was what worried me the most about leaving the safety of nursery ...him being so big all of a sudden...but I guess he's not a baby anymore either...! ;)

Swim school starts tomorrow for our little man, since I took forever to book the class there wasn't any room for Erin in the class... I hope she'll be alright with it (or that I get a spot for her if there are cancelations!).

Blod e fint?

2011-08-25T16:19:00.001+02:00

Målar Antons naglar röda. "Det e cooolt mammaaa, för det ser ut som bloood!". Erins svar på samma behandling tidigare idag var "Ååååh, vad FIIINT det blir.".

♥

Painting Anton's nails red. "Mummy, it's cool 'cause it looks like blood". :D Erin's respons to the same treatment was "Oooh, how Pretty!".

Hjärnan bak&fram.

2011-08-14T13:37:00.001+02:00

Jag försöker ha ett 'allvarligt snack' men Anton, om föregående dagens busande, om att vad som är okej och inte okej, vad man får och inte får göra och om att även om nån (Erin i detta fallet, iaf enligt Anton. ;)) säger att man ska göra något så måste man själv bestämma om det är en bra idé eller inte...

Anton, ivrigt gestikulerande hur det är att bli "övertalad" till bus:
Men...! Mammaaa... Jag veeet, men! Jag kan inte bestämma själv. När Erin säger så, så är det som om hjärnan blir alldeles bak&fram så då gååår inte att tänka!

Så bra liksom...! :D :D :D Jag förstod precis vad han menade! :D Med hjärnan bak&fram blir det ju såklart fel...! :]

I'm trying to have a 'serious talk' with little man about right and wrong.
He's trying to get me to understand how it got as wrong as it did the previous day.

But...! Mammiii... I knooow but! Whenever Erin (he claims) tells me to do something it's like my brain's turned back2front and then I just caaaan't think for myself!

*little lol* :D I got it! Of course things go wrong with your brain back2front...! ;P

Faktiskt.

2011-08-14T12:27:00.000+02:00

Återberättat av Mommo.

Efter att Erin fått en glass på Korsvägen sa lillskrott:
- Nu vill jag ha korv med bröd.

Vilket hon fick. :) När hon fått sin korv och satt sig för att äta påminner hon Mommo på sitt särkilda vis.
- Man brukar faktiskt få dricka också.

:) :) :)

Retold by Mommo:
After Erin got picke up she'd gotten an ice cream. After finishing it she promptly said:
- And now I want a hot dog.

Which Mommo of course got her. ;) When she'd gotten it and sat down she reminded her gran in her own particular manner...
- You usually get a drink too...!

:) :) :)

Äpplen!

2011-08-13T09:59:00.000+02:00

MAAASSSSA äpplen i våra äppelträ'n i år. Hänger i tjocka klasar (ja! vi borde ha 'ansat' tidigare för finare/större skörd, men när skulle det ha hunnits med?! ;P)! :)

LOADS of apples in our trees this year.

Till och med vår 4-äpplen-per-år-träd har mängder av fina röda frukter.

Even our 4-apples-a-year-tree is heavy with fruit.

Det är inga jättestora äpplen. :)

They're not very big.

Erin börjar bli trött på att jag fotar dom hela tiden, men jag fick lov att ta en bild på hennes äpple. :)

Erin's getting a bit fed up with me taking photos of them all the time, she did a OK me to take a pic of her apple. :D

Mommotid. :)

2011-08-13T09:44:00.001+02:00

Ojoj, blir mycket färre uppdateringar här när jag inte sitter på min ända i skolbänken hela dagarna...! ;P Mycket jobb nu...men den tunga höstmössan (redan!) på känns allt mycket längre/tyngre/segare. Därför är det så HÄRLIGT att man har små, underbara, irriterande, härliga, frustrerande, guldklimpar som liksom sliter av den där tunga mössan en stund och tvingar fram solen, i alla fall i hjärtat om inte ute - även om solen faktiskt skiner ute (och inne) idag! :)

Sen sist så har fritids gått jättebra, blir roligare för varje kompis som kommer hem från semestern! :) Anton sa igår att fritids är jättekul, roligare än dagis. Det är väl ett gott betyg! :) Erin verkar ha det gott på dagis också, utan storebror och, det är väl gott det med. ♥

Igår var det dags för Erins ensamtid med mommo, som Anton hade i juli. På morgonen lämnade vi Anton till fritids och tog bussen till Borås o vidare till Korsvägen där mommo mötte upp och jag fortsatte sen vidare till jobbet... :) Smidigt! :)

After (pre)school (which actually hasn't yet started) nursery (aka. fritids) is going well for Anton! :) He's enjoying it more and more for each friend that comes back from summer holidays! :) Erin's happy at nursery too, without her big brother there. That's good too. ♥

I'm already feeling the weight of winter on my shoulders and I'm eternally grateful for having my adorable, annoying, sweet, irritating, munchkins who force sunshine into our home regardless of the weather outside ♥ (which thankfully is sunny today)! :) :)

Yesterday it was little E's turn to have some alone time with Mommo. :) Dropping her of to her gran the bus stop before mine, on my way to work is just perfect. :D

Lilla E väntar på bussen...som aldrig kommer.

Little E waiting for the bus, that never comes...! ;)

Erin fotar sig själv (m. min tfn) för att fördriva tiden.

Erin takes pic of herself (with my phone) to pass the time. :)

Äntligen på 100-bussen till Gbg! :)

Ingen vinkar aldrig till mig när jag vinkar från bussen... sa lillplutt när hon vinkade till det folktomma busstorget. ♥

Finally on the bus to Gothenburg!

Nobody never waves at me when I do from the bus, little miss said waving to the empty square...

SLUUUTA ta min bild mammaaaa! :)

STOOOOP taking my picture mammiiii...! :D

Smyger in en sista, innan bussen åker. ;)

Sneaked in a final one before the bus left for Gbg.

Mera fritids och annat...

2011-08-03T14:00:00.000+02:00

Fritids gick jättebra idag! :) Efter att jag fått härdsmälta imorse (orsak oklar, effekterna troliga livslånga) fick S ta hand om lämnadet... Kompisen Erik var på plats för inskolning dag1 och så fort Anton såg det så sa han hejdå pappa! du kan gå nu! ;)

På väg hem sa han...När jag har mina kompisar där (på fritids) så e det mycket roligare. :) :)

Huuuu....idag e annars ingen bra mamma-dag. Hur kommer det sig att vissa dagar bara blir sådär FEL, från början till slut...? :/ Inget jag säger hörs, inga vanliga 'knep' fungerar, det gnälls och grinas och gapas (från alla parter) ... INGET är som det ska...allt e...ja-a...skit. :P

Så som jag betett mig idag så bör nog min mammalicens dras in förevigt...f-n vad DUM jag kan vara...! :( Jag känner ju när jag håller på att koka över...när irritationen över att tjatatjatatjatatjatatjatatjata tar ur sin rätt... Jag hör ju när min röstvolym ökar och ökar (utan effekt så klart!)...men! ändå kan jag inte bromsa mig... Plötsligt står jag där, TOKSKRIKGAPVRÅLMONSTERMAMMAN! *skäms* Puh...!

Jag VET ju att gapa inte hjälper, jag VET ju att det behövs bara liiite mer tålamod och jag VET att jag borde vara liiiite mer Javisst!-mamma än Nej!-mamma...men...näääeee... Fyyyyy bubblans...! Nu 'gömmer' jag mig här framför datorn en stund i hopp om att badpoolsstojande inte ska bryta ut i den hundraelfte konflikten för idag... åtminstone inte innan jag återfått normalpuls...! *suck* och vi har fortfarande halva dagen kvar...!! :/

Blä.

Fritids.

2011-08-02T14:50:00.002+02:00

Idag var första inskolningsdagen på fritids. Vår lilleman e snart stort skolbarn?!

Efter att vi lämnat Erin på dagis gick vi mot fritids, Anton höll hårt min hand och sa:
- Mammaaa, du går inte nånstans utan mig va?
- Klart jag inte gör. Jag går inte utan att jag först frågat om det är okej!
- Bra...

Det var lite blygt, spännande, kul samtidigt som nog var allra mest pirrigt. Han såg ut som jag kände mig när jag började på Högskolan! ;) Det blir väl kanske inte bättre bara för att man blivit större...? :D

Det gick bra idag. :)

Jag e fortfarande lite...hmmm... Alltså, jag är helt med på vikten av att börja i förskoleklass/nollan. Att snällt, under ett år, vaggas in i skolmiljön e toppen...meeeen... Fritids känns lite...tufft... 3:or och 4:or tillsammans med dessa 'småttingar' och med SÅ FÅ pedagoger... :/ Mmmm...tiden får väl utvisa... Hade aldrig satt mitt barn i en situation som jag trodde var 'farlig' eller 'osäker' jag TROR att det ordnar sig, så därför är Anton där... Önskar bara att personalen hade känts lite mer...trygg. Men, men...det ordnar sig säkert och vi vuxna ska ju också lära känna varandra...

Imorgon ska vi (helst) lämna barnen 'som vanligt' Anton var inte imponerad av förslaget så vi får se. Fröken verkar mest tro (?) att det var jag som inte vill släppa taget... *andaaas* Försöker låta det rinna av mig...fokuserar istället på allt detta kan vara/är en god läxa för mig själv i framtiden...! :) :) :)

Vi tar morgondagen som den kommer. :)

Ikväll ska denna sletna mamman får lite quality umgänge (vin+middag!) med go'aste Johanna! <3

Borås Zoo 21/7

2011-07-31T21:25:00.000+02:00

Hello Kitty? Erin! :D

Söta storasyster och fina flickorna P. ♥

Big sis ♥ and her girls. ♥

Apor (?) i aphuset. ;)

Monkeys? ;)

Akvariet e poppis hos alla barnen.

The tiny aquarium is a big hit with all the kiddies.

Elsa älskar fiskar

Elsa ♥ fishies

Jag o Systra Mi.

Me and ma sis.

Still at a loss for words.

2011-07-29T07:50:00.001+02:00

Göra en 8:a.

2011-07-21T22:02:00.002+02:00

Mina underbara goa små får (som alla andra?) emellanåt diverse fiffiga idéer och då kan det se ut såhär! :D

På busshållplatsen idag.

In English:
My little ones (like all other little people?) get ideas that just have to be performed right then and there. This is what mine got up to today, whilst waiting for the bus.
Making an 8! :D

♥ trädgård.

2011-07-21T12:39:00.001+02:00

Jag har inga 'gröna fingrar' och är rätt glad över att vår trädgård mest är en stor gräsmatta. ;) Men! För barnens (och min!) skull älskar jag trädgården för våra bärbuskar med hallon och vinbär. :) :) :) Barnen kan stå där och plocka lääänge och om/när min, redan låga, påhittighet har blivit uttömd kan jag ändå locka lite 'aktivitet' ur barnen genom att be dom plocka lite vinbär/hallon till kvällsmaten/muffinsbak/etc. :)

Buskarna är trevligt tidsfördriv och helt vildvuxna! :D De står och gror och växer endast med hjälp av jorden de står i och...inbillar jag mig, med hjälp av barnens kärleksfulla, vara-i-stunden-plockande av dess frukter. ♥

In English soon. ;)

Good News Magazine!

2011-07-16T11:43:00.000+02:00

Alltså...ibland så blir (är?) jag nästan lite religiös när saker och ting liksom faller i knäet på mig på ett oförklarligt (?) sätt... Fööör, jag tror liksom inte på att det finns något 'oförklarligt'. ;) :)

På jobbet har vi tidningskorgar, en med dagstidningar, en med skvallerblaskor och dylikt. Häromdagen så gav jag mig halvhjärtat på den där tidninghögen i hopp om att hitta ngt nytt att läsa, mycket tveksam om att det faktiskt skulle hända. Då, där, i skvallerblaskhögen låg den! :D Good News Magazine! En tidning som ser livet från den ljusa sidan...! :) :) :) My kind of magazine! Wow liksom...! Det stod om läkare utan gränser, om TED.com och om hoppet i Afghanistan + en massa annat inspirerande. :) :) :)

Det är precis en sådan tidning som jag och vi - mänskligheten, behöver så jag kunde ju inte annat än att beställa en helårsprenumeration så fort jag kommit hem! :) :D :)

På deras hemsida står det att de är ett "forum för inspiration, framtidstro och positivt tänkande" och "Good News Magazine är magasinet som endast skriver ur ett positivt perspektiv - ett magasin som lyfter fram de goda exemplen, tar Dig med ut i världen, inspirerar och belyser kraften i positivt tänkande och den goda gärningen. Vi blickar ...framåt och ger Dig ett vidare perspektiv på den livsviktiga symbiosen mellan människa, djur och natur. Good News Magazine vill ge Dig inspirationen och kraften att tänka nytt, tänka om.".

Yes liksom! :D ...på ett nästan religiöst sätt. ;)

Briefly in English:
Found this awesome magazine by 'accident' (? ;)) at work the other day and couldn't but subscribe to it as soon as I got home! Inspiring!

A good google translation for once (yes! I'm lazy today!). :)
From the magazines website:
"Good News Magazine is a magazine that only writes from a positive perspective - a magazine that highlights examples of good practice, takes you out into the world, inspires and illuminates the power of positive thinking and the good deed. We look forward ... and give you a broader perspective on the vital symbiosis between man, animals and nature. Good News Magazine would like to give you inspiration and the power to think new, think again."

Ensam med Mommo

2011-07-09T20:43:00.000+02:00

Idag lämnade jag Anton till Mommo över helgen. ÅH vad han har lääängtat! :) Alldeles EGEN tid med sin Bästa Mommo. Att få sova över helt själv hos Mommo har varit hög(s)t upp på MåsteGörasListan länge! :)

Vi packade väskan igår kväll och idag tog han hunden Musse under armen åkte till Göteborg. Jag skulle till jobbet och lämnade bara av lilleman till mamma på hållplatsen innan min. ;) :)

På bussen, en resa som var på toook för lång för en ivrig kille, satt vi och pratade om allt möjligt...

Jag frågade honom: Vad är det bästa med att få vara själv med Mommo?
Han svarade: Att inte bli störd. :)

Finplutten!

Han pratade också på om sist han var själv hos Mommo. (för 2-3 år sen?!) När hon bodde i den andra lägenheten, där hon hade ett piano...detaljer som jag förundras över att han kommer ihåg!

Idag har han och Mommo fått passa minsta kusinen Alice en stund och hon är nog Favoriten bland alla tjejjerna just nu. :) Han är SÅ fin med henne... :) Omtänksam och rar. ♥ Min fiiina Anton. :)

In English:
Anton's spending the weekend with my mum. :) No little sister or parents that bother him... just getting the sole attention from his Very Bestest Mommo. ♥

He's been waiting! A sleep over (on his own!) at Mommo's has been at the top of his NeedToDoPronto-list for a while now. :) I took him with me on my way to work and dropped him off to mum one stop before mine. :)

On the bus, a journey he's made lots of times but today it was taking waaay too long for our little man, we were talking about all sorts of things... :) He was telling me about the last time he was on his own with Mommo, at her old place...the details he remembers from 2-3 (?) years ago is amazing!

When I asked him about what's the best thing about being on his own with Mommo he replied: Not being disturbed... ♥

My SweetPea. ♥

He and Mommo also looked after his litt'lest cousin Alice today. He just adores her! :) She's definately The Favourite out of all the girls about at the moment! ;) He's so sweet and considerate with her... :) Melts this mommy's heart for sure. :)

Älgfrun e valpens mamma?

2011-07-07T13:21:00.000+02:00

Anton och jag diskuterar vad olika mamma-/pappadjur heter. (jag tror det började med att han frågade vad en oxe är för något). Vi tittar på bilder ( ♥ google!) på oxar, sen tjurar och vi går från nötkreatur till handjur av vildare sort. :)

Jag förklarar: "...även älgpappan kallas tjur, älgtjur. Om älgpappan kallas tjur, var tror du att älgmamman 'heter'...?"
Anton: "Älgfru?"

:) ;) :)

Jag: "Inte riktigt :) hon kallas älgko. :) :) Vad heter då älgtjuren och älgkons barn?"
Erin: "Valp!" :)

:D :D :D Tror allt att vi behöver öva lite mer på djursläktskap i den här familjen! ;p

In English:
I think we need to practice the animal family relations a bit more in our little family! ;)

Earlier Anton and I were talking about what an ox is (?!) and it progressed from cattle to wilder male animals and their relationship to others... :)

I explain: ...the daddy elk is also called a bull. So, if the daddy elk is a bull, what would the mommy elk be...?
Anton: Ehm...the wife?

:) ;) :)

Me: No... :D Not really, she's called a cow. :) If the elk mum is a cow and the dad elk is a bull, what's their babies called...?
Erin: Puppy! :D

*lol* Yeah, we need to practice more! ;D

Värmer gott i mammahjärtat

2011-07-05T21:01:00.001+02:00

Det sägs mycket fint som värmer hjärtat och det är en ny 'utmaning' att försöka komma ihåg allt som sägs. Dess kommentarer återkommer dock så jag skriver hit dom innan de också glöms bort.

Anton: Du e Bäst Mamma.

Erin: Jag vill att min kudde ska lukta du mammi! (och så bytte hon våra kuddar för natten för att jag skulle få hennes kudde att lukta som jag)

In English:
Our (all!) kiddies say the cutest things and it's hard trying to remember all the cutness. These comments keep coming back and warms my heart in a special way so I thought I'd write them down, before they too disappear in the rest of the all the cuteness.

Anton: Mummy, you're the best.

Erin: I want my pillow to smell like you mammi! (after which she swapped out pillows for the night so that her's would have the 'right' scent the following night)

Mera tur!

2011-07-03T20:20:00.000+02:00

Anton: Tur för mig att jag har en pyjamas som passar ihop!

More Luck!
Anton: Lucky me that I have pj's that match!

Tur för mig! :)

2011-07-03T20:13:00.000+02:00

Får skjuts hem av Lillasyster Anna (efter en KANONtjejheldag/natt med bästaste vännen i världen! ♥ ) och jag och Anton pratade på telefon.

A: Mammaaa, jag saaaknar dej!
Jag: Saknar dig med gubben.
A: När kommer du hem mamma?
Jag: Jag kommer hem snart, jag är redan på väg. Anna kör mig hem, så jag behövde inte ta bussen.
A: Tur för dig mamma att Anna kan köra.

:) :) :)

In English:
Lucky me!

On route home, little sister Anna's driving me (after the a great looong day/night with my very clostest girlfriend in the whole wide world ♥ ) home and I'm on the phone with Anton.

A: I misss you mummy!
Me: I miss you too love.
A: When will you be home?
Me: Soon! Anna's driving me home so I don't have to wait for the bus.
A: Lucky you that Anna knows how to drive.

En ny jacka?

2011-07-01T09:37:00.001+02:00

Häromsistens när jag tittade på 100% bonde tillsammans med barnen hamnade jag i en av de där situationerna när jag som förälder var tvungen att på ett ögonblick bestämma mig för min 'ståndpunkt' och redo att försvara den på 'liv och död'. :) ;) :)

Bonden i programmet promenade omkring på gården med en liten get och bubblade på på danska om gården, etterna och så och helt plötsligt stannar han tar upp 'lufttryckspistolen' (den heter nog inte så) och avlivar den lille geten. Hupp! OjOj...! Ehm... :\ Sen tog han fram kniven och jag bytte kanal! :/ :]
'Mammaaa...vad gjorde han med geten?',
'Mammaaa, jag vill titta på bonden...!'
'Mammaaaa...??'

Ojojoj...ålrajt, kidsen vet var köttet vi äter kommer ifrån meeeen...ska de få se? Förstår dom? Är de för små? Är jag bara fjantig? Och på ett ögonblick bestämde jag att ja, jag e fjantig som bytte kanal, de är inte för små och de ska/kan/bör se var friskt, fint kött från ett välmående djur kommer ifrån och hur den sen hamnar på vårt bord.

När jag bytte tillbaka så hängde geten uppochner i ett träd och bonden var i full färd med att flå djuret :] och förklarade på hurtdanskt vis att hans lille son få en ny varm jacka (?) av skinnet. :) Det var iaf så som jag översatte det för barnen... *s* Bonden pratade också om hur man ska ta reda på allt hos djuret och inte slösa någoting, något som självklart vidareförklarades till barnen (varför måste jag alltid titta på program som måste översättas?! :) ). Resten av programmet gick vidare utan fler dödsfall. Det blev heller inga fler diskussioner om köttets vara elle icke vara eller om lille getens frånfall. *phew*

Ett par dagar senare går det älgar bakom huset. Vi tittar och förundras över hur stora och fina de är och Anton tittar på mig och säger 'Mammaaa, när Vaari skjuter en älg nästa gång, så vill jag att han sparar skinnet så jag kan få en ny jacka.' :D :D :D

Igår, mer än en vecka efter programmet och älgbesöket, så sa han att han gärna vill ha byxor också och så hornen, så att han kan ha dom på sig...!! :D

Bonderøven Frank. Bild: Peter Wath/DR

In English:
Being a parent means making split second decision on moral and ethics. ;) Not all things can be planned ahead of time and whilst watching a tv program where the farmer euthanised and skinned a goat I needed to make one of those decisions that it is right for the kids to see (and not only know) where good, healty meat comes from. The animal was healthy, well taken care of and nothing of it was wasted. The skinn was (i think) going to be used for warm coat for the farmers son.

A few days later we had elks visiting at the back of the house and Anton says to me 'Mum, next time when Vaari (hunter granddad) kills an elk can he keep the skin for me so that I can have a new coat?'. :) :) :)

'e du en rockstjärna?

2011-06-28T20:06:00.001+02:00

Anton heter 'Fladdermus' och Erin heter 'Amina'. De är rockstjärnor (obs! i olika band!). Alla låtar de sjunger är solklara rip offs av 'Dannys 'In the Club'!?! :O ;) (det är den eller Saades 'Popular') Det är helt egen text men melodin skull aldrig klara en granskning. ;)

'Fladdermus' är uppenbarligen även väktare för nu kollar han allas biljetter (?) samt öppnar och stänger dörrar på något som jag i min vuxenfantasi uppfattar som ett rymdskepp ?! :D :D :D

In English:
The kids, now named 'Bat' and 'Amina', are playing 'rock stars' and making up 'new' songs...all perfect melodical renditions of 'In The Club' (video above). The lyrics are all their own! :)

Åter på svenska!?

2011-06-28T18:16:00.000+02:00

Ja, det stämmer... Vi får se hur länge det varar. ;) Är lika tveksam inför detta språkbytet som jag var då när jag gick från svenska till engelska...men, det kändes (både då och nu) som om jag behövde något nytt för att känna mig peppad till att fortsätta blogga.

Den senaste tiden, efter att jag börjat jobba igen, har det känts som om jag mest skrivit blablabla-inlägg här om migmigmigmig och...det är rätt så trist att läsa om! Jag vill ha det lite mer som jag först tänkte när jag började blogga...att det var för barnen och om barnen (där såklart även jag figurerar) - något de kan läsa och skratta gott åt i framtiden. Syrran lyckas finfint (tycker jag!) och med henne som ledljus ska det väl gå bra! ;)

Jag ska se om jag lyckas köra tvåspråkigt, med en kortare version på engelska, som jag har tänkt mig eller om det blir en helt enspråkig blogg...

In English:
I'm as hesitant about this language change as I was the last time. But now, like back then, I've felt like I need a proper change to keep feeling motivated about blogging. I want the blog to go back to what my initial purpose for it was... for and about babyhutch :) (aka. the kiddies). I want this to be something of a chronicle of the madness they've been up to, for them to perhaps one day look back at and have a good laugh about.

My sis has done well with that on her blog so I'll keep her as my guiding star and I'm sure I'll do fine. I also hope to finish my Swedish posts with a short recap in English, so please stay tuned! :)

Thinking...

2011-06-25T20:44:00.002+02:00

My posts lately have been sorta scarce...I've been busy working and then spending the precious time off with the family. I've also been rethinking this blog... The how and why and what's of it...

I started this blog on Anton's first birthday, while I was on maternity leave and already pregnant with Erin. :) I had 'all the time in the world' and even after I had finished my maternity leave and went back to school I had...time... Recently, starting at uni and now being back in 'the real world' of being a working mum I realise that Time is not something I have so much of at the moment.

Initially I blogged in Swedish...with it being my first language it felt most sensible to write in it too. ;) This blog was never really intended to be for anyone else but me and the closest family to read (why would anyone else be interested? ;)) and possibly/hopefully for kiddies to read in the future...At some point along the way I 'realised' that my Family (of course!) wasn't just all Swedish-knowing nor of my own blood ;) so, I decided to start blogging in English instead...at that time I was also posting blog entries on a family forum and most often it ended up being a copy+paste thing between what I'd written there or here which was sort of pointless and boring.

Perhaps I was hoping for a bit of a wider following too ;) when I switched languages but...this is a family blog...for my family and friends...perhaps I here and there get a visitor who's curious to get to know me a little bit better but it is perhaps done better elsewhere and those who wander over here have probably, most often, come from there...? ;) And...to be honest, I think that the people who follow this blog (visibly or not) were following it before I changed...(?)

So...you might already have guessed that what I'm getting at is that I'm thinking of 'reverting' back to Swedish...and blog less, much less, about E. and more about the stuff that the kiddies get up to...sort of go back to why/what for I began blogging... to share glimpts of the Family Life, in other words The Kiddies, and not so much about Me. ;)

So...? :) What do you think? Would you be terribly disappointed if I stop blogging in English (I might still try to maintain a shortish update in English too)? Would you be sad to 'hear' less about me-me-me and more about the cute adorable amazingness that is the H kiddos...? :) :) :) Why and what for are you here? :)

Let me know and I'll keep pondering...
♥

Mariposa

2011-06-17T23:11:00.000+02:00

I've sent my butterfly in solidarity with girls and women in Nicaragua. Have you? http://t.co/g5DbpjV

Aches and pains...

2011-06-10T14:28:00.000+02:00

I'm not a happy bunny today. Not cRaZy grumpy like I can get either...just not thrilled... My back, shoulderblade, is giving me quite a lot of pain since returning to work and...well...it's not getting better. Today I took a sick day (after my managers recommendation - she's sweet and cares.) and went to the Dr's. Got stronger stuff of the meds I've been using with urgings from the doc to make sure that the work situation improves (either how I move about or the ergonomics of the workplace, most likely both) or else I might be heading towards chronic pains...!?! :/ Not thrilled...

Staying home for pain is just...blah! I mean, being sick, with a fever, unwell then yeah...of course, stay home, get better...but...for pain...? I can stand and walk and talk...so...!! Work...!? Nah... *sigh* I'm home 'sick' tomorrow too and hope I'll be well on my way to recovery by my next day of work which is Tuesday...! :)

Happy National Day!

2011-06-06T08:48:00.000+02:00

Our National Anthem - Du gamla, Du fria

Musical version

With lyrics - Carola style. ;)

The weekend in pics.

2011-06-05T22:30:00.001+02:00

Play-date

Kiddies playing in the pool with cousins

Ice cream break in the sunshine

Aaaaah....! :) Soaking up the Sun with lil' sis.

Later... :)

2011-06-05T14:47:00.000+02:00

We had a fantastic day...! I was set for stress but no, none of that! :) :) :) Even the usual bike riding bonanza ;p when perfectly... :D No fighting, just smoooth sailing, topped off with some smiles and an ice cream. :D Magical. :)

Finally Monday! ;)

2011-05-30T09:31:00.001+02:00

This weekend was looong....just like the whole week...! It was fab too, but looong. Our 'womenswear night in' was grand - good food, great company and an overnight stay at Mums. :) :) :) Her Mother's Day started with a drive to pick up three slightly intoxicated women, drop two off for more festivities and take one home and put her to bed. ;) I thought Sunday would be a much more rough day than it was...thankfully I mostly suffered from sore feet and thirst. ;) I would have been much worse if I'd trailed my drunken self all the way home and back again...Thanks Mum! ...again... :) She truly is The Best!

Two days off now...! :) I'm thinking we'll go for a little walk today and leave some of the recycling at the recycling station. It's beginning to look like we've got our very own station in the kitchen since we went car-less and are unable to drop it of as often... ;p I do feel a little bit like crazy-rubbish-lady walking about the village with my bags of recyclables...but it's just unthinkable to me to not recycle so...what are my other options?! :D ...Starting a recycling station of my own perhaps? ;) ;) ;)

We might swing by the library too...need to check when it's time to return the books...!
I'll let you know how things went later. ;)

Found my 'zen' again.

2011-05-27T12:24:00.001+02:00

We can't always be on top now can we...? ;) I have significantly calmed down since last I wrote... ;p

It was, as it usually is, a combination of all and nothing that turned into everything... :/ Last week was a short week, this one was/is a looong one with late night stock-take last night and working the weekend. I'm off today though and on Mon. Tue. too so it's not too bad. :)

Tuesday evening the kiddies who are leaving nursery for preschool are having a 'party' at nursery. :) Us grown-ups only get to stay for a little while...the rest is a secret. We'll have to go away for an hour and then come back to pick them up.

On Saturday, after work, we've got a get-together for us womenswear peeps at a girls house. Usually 'we' would go out but recently they realised that we'd get more for our money (that the company pays us) and we would get more quality hang-out-time if we socialised at someones house. :) I'm really looking forward to it. Mum's already promised me a lift home but if it turns into too much of a late night I might just stay the night at hers - especially since I'm working Sunday too. :)

breeeeeathhhhhe!

2011-05-23T17:25:00.000+02:00

Cheesus!!! Some days my darling little ones just drive me cRaZy!! Nothing I say is heard, wherever is heard (which by that point is far from soft spoken!) is apparently worth giggling at and I swear to you... I'm ready to....... *bliiiiiip* .....!!

*breathe!*

*sigh*

...but I don't.

Today it's been...everything and nothing... This morning started alright, with us going to nursery for the preschool teachers visit there and then they got to play some outside with the other nursery kiddos before we were going in to town, where I had a much needed appointment with my hairdresser. After leaving nursery it just sorta snowballed into Mad Mommy Day.... :( We didn't get on the first bus that came 'cause they were hitting each other and misbehaving... after about 20 minutes of howling, whining and crying we managed to start communicating again and I agreed to not go home.

I talk to my little people...yes, perhaps too much at times but I don't know how to not-talk so...I talk, explain, tryyyy to reason and...eventually I yell...I do. I don't like it. I hate being yelled at, I hate yelling, I don't like to hear other other people yell at each other and even less so at their children (that makes me furious!) ...yet... I yell at my kids. :/ Most ridiculous is when I scream STOOOP SCREEEEAAAMIIIIING!!!!

*rolls eyes!* :(

*sigh*

Lunch in town went OK, visit at hairdressers...nah...but...we survived. The grocery shopping was *sigh* a trial and by the time we made the bus home my blood was boiling and me, the talker, could not utter one word just in case it'd cause me to devour one or both of my children alive!

*tired laugh*

*sigh*

Stephen's home now and I will, gladly, leave the 'child minding' (no child raising's happening today!) to him! I have laundry and hair colouring to do...

*breathe*

:)

2011-05-21T19:41:00.000+02:00

Last night was GREAT! :) I had a fab time out with some of my workmates and ♥ The Best Mum ♥ in the world gave me a lift home just after midnight, sparing me a looong bus ride home with all the (other ;)) drunks! ;D Thanks mum! ♥

Today's Mr. H's birthday. Happy 32nd birthday Stephen!
He's currently at the pub treating himself to a birthday pint or two...or...? ;)

Few and far between...!

2011-05-20T13:52:00.001+02:00

That's what my updates have been recently... :)

No reason really, just been busy working and being a Mum. ;) Work's good, feels like I'm settling into it well...won't be long til it feels like I've never been gone! :D Somewhat 'new' still so I'll get away with that excuse if (when?) I do something stupid. ;p

We've also been to the first meeting for Anton starting 'preschool' in the autumn. It was interesting, it'll be a big change... mostly for us parents I think! ;) We're so used to the safety of nursery/kindergarten and in 'preschool' our babies are seen as bigger kids and therefor given much more freedom (and responsibility) than we're perhaps used to. :)

Here in Sweden kiddies most often start primary school (1st grade) at 7 years of age and preschool the year before. You have the choice to let your 6 year old start 1st grade too (or stay in nursery for the year) but most people see preschool as a good preparation for 'actual' school...and... So do we. :)

It's nervous and exciting and I can't believe what a Big Boy our Anton is! :)

Plans ahead? Not much...work, work, work. Getting rid of the sniffles I've cought at work! Sorting the garden out - still cHaOs out there...

I'm hoping to organise my birthday bash too at some point before everyone is on their holiday but...we'll see.

I've been off today but thinking about heading into Town for After Work with some of the peeps... ;p Not really in the mood for the comute for a beer or two but, I'm thinking it might be good way to get to know my work mates 'again'. :)

Off to read the Gruffalo!

And the winner is...

2011-05-15T17:33:00.001+02:00

Azerbaijan! :) (with alot of Swedish help ;))

My favourites were (besides Sweden - Eric Saade is just too darn cute!) the UK, Hungary, Serbia and Slovenia (i think!)... I never would have thought that Sweden would come in third place...even if I do like the song. ;) He was even in the lead for a good while. Well done Saade! :)

I have no idea what she's singing but I like it! :)

Mothers' Index 2011 - Save the Children

2011-05-03T18:32:00.003+02:00

State of the World's Mothers 2011 Statistics and Facts - Save the Children. Norway's the best place to be a mum (Sweden's at no.4. U.K.'s no.13) this year. The United States comes in at no.31 among the 43 developed countries ranked. An interesting read indeed.

New colour! :)

2011-04-30T09:06:00.001+02:00

It wasn't the walls that changed colour this time, but my hair. :) It's been this difuse copper browny shade since tha autumn when I decided I wanted it in this colour. Unfortunately my hair dresser had to start from black and had to tell me to be patient, and to use a semi-permanent colour rather than colouring it and then she'd be able to get there, eventually... *sigh* The copper colour that I was craving has not be available as a 'home colour kit' ;) and I was sooo bummed about having to wait...but...I wanted it! :)

The other day I finally had enough of this dodgy shade of copperbrownness so I thought f**k it I'll just colour it brown again so that I'll at least get an even hair colour again. The sales person in the store was an enormous help and steered me away from the mousy brown shades (which is my natural colour and where I sort of wanted to start again) and showed me this new shade theyd'd just gotten in Préférence Féria 7.40 - Pure Paprika, Intense Copper. But she warned me, 'its VERY copper, kinda carrot-orange colour...' :) :) :) :) PERFECT just what I want! :)

Before

After

I LOVE it. :) Now I have to rush, time to go to work...! (which is still going well, if you're curious).

"1st" day of work

2011-04-26T14:59:00.000+02:00

:) I've had a few 1st days at Å. :) The actual 1st day way back in 2002, then the 1st day at a new departments, 1st day back after maternityleave, 1st day at my 'summer job' when I had started studying...and now...back, again... :) AND you know the greatest thing, for me at least, is that I've been employed at Å all through my leaves of absence...(?!) That's Sweden for ya! ;)

My '1st' day was good. :) I'd lie if I told you I wasn't feeling somewhat ambivalent about the whole work vs. uni decision but...I had a good day. :) The weather was beautiful (and has been for about a week) so the customer flow was kinda slow which gave me time to get aquainted with the clothes and routines (again).

I think, know, feel, that this was the 'right' decision...despite my ambivalence... Working was the turning on and then off feeling I need at the moment. Thankfully this change came about when it is light in the evenings...sun was just setting as I came home. I would have been much more bummed about the late evenings if it was dark outside too.

Easter?!

2011-04-23T14:58:00.000+02:00

Oh my...another score to be added to my Terrible Mum scorecard... I've 'missed' easter. Or...to be honest - I've not given a *bliiip* about it this year. No decorations, egg painting or special anything planned. They haven't even gotten dressed up in the usual påskkärring (easter witchy) outfits... I'm a little bit bummed about that 'cause they do make the cutest little witches but...nah, it's not the end of the world...for me at least.

I sometimes wonder what the kids will think of me when they grow up... :/ Will they go 'We never did anything growing up...' or 'Thank heavens she didn't torture us with all these things when we were little' ...? I do feel a bit guilty though (does that make me a little less horrible?), I loved easter growing up. We had a great time going round wishing people a Happy Easter and getting a little treat in return... :) It was fun! Yet, now it feels like such an effort... *sigh*

Perhaps we can write this year off as a 'bad (or worse than normal?) year'?? :/ The kiddies don't seem too scarred sitting at the kitchen table drawing and playing with the play dough. ♥

Order is restored.

2011-04-21T20:40:00.000+02:00

...or chaos! ;) The kiddies are back home! :) :) Auntie Anna brought them home just after lunch, she seemed somewhat releaved to have done her share of child-minding for a while. ;) ♥

They've got their dinner in them and they are now soaking in the bath tub - its early season for it but (since we've already found one on Charlie-cat) a tick control is required after a few days in the woods. *fingers crossed* I don't find any of the nasty buggers!

...(later)...

:D Ah! Got interrupted! :) No ticks *phew!* and we've been sorting stuff out in the garden. I'm so stiff right now I doubt I'll be able to get out of bed tomorrow morning... *ouch!* Wish we'd done something amazing to the garden but we're probably the only ones that can notice the difference...! Tidying, sorting and clearing...a start at least. :)

Now I need to get kiddies to bed!

A few days of 'solitude'

2011-04-19T11:18:00.002+02:00

Mister and MissE Munchkin have been 'kidnapped' by my dearest darling sisters! :) Big cousin Julia's on Easter Hols and rather than just hanging about at home with her girls big sis decided to go to the 'cabin' and offered to take our two too, with lil' sis as the usual on-the-verge-of-sainthood helper! ♥ A lovely break for everyone in the H family!

The little ones were SO happy to go! I think a visit to the cabin is just about the best thing imaginable for Anton and it was even better than usual since (boring?) mum and dad weren't going. ;p

So we're getting three days and two nights of 'solitude'...bliss...! Tomorrow night I'll miss them like cRaZy but it's nice to have some grown up time too. Not for romance, necessarily :p, but for peace and quiet to try and get stuff done. :) :) :)

Our sad, sorry excuse for a garden is desperate for a good seeing to, its looking like no-man's-land after the diggers had a bash at it when sorting the drainage out last autumn... :/ Not a pretty sight!

Don't you worry, I plan on getting some good ol' fashioned me-time too after all the tidying, sorting, clearing. planning both in- and outside the house...! :) I've even got a nice bottle of red wine waiting for me... That, with a nice, quiet book reading session should go a long way to restore this worn out mommy... :)

B-day party today!

2011-04-16T08:34:00.000+02:00

Walking home from nursery

with little miss 4-year old. :)

Those of you who know me know that in earning the title 'Bad Mom'-award I've shown a great deal of torment when it comes to the little peoples b-day partys. I'm sorry kiddies but I'm not a fan of all the planning and organising and stuff that comes along with these sorts of things. :/ It's lovely when it's time, but I like it best when it's over and the kids have this 'happy glow'-thing going on... :) :) :) Party are OK, just not my favourite thing alright. ;)

Any hoot, today it's time for little Es b-day party and she's invited 6 little girls over for her very first friend-party...her cousins Julia and Elsa are coming too with Mommo and aunt/Saint Anna who are helping me with the feeding and entertaining the girlies. :)

To make thing less (more?) stressing Family will be dropping in just as the little girls party is over...best to get all the partying over and done with in one go! That's my theory at least. ;P

Now it's time to get on with the final tidying and balloonblowing!
Wish me luck! ;)

A person's a person no matter how small.

2011-04-15T19:48:00.000+02:00

This is one of my favourite of all of our 'Friday Features'. :) We try to mix it up a bit with the movies that we watch but inevitalbly we come back to things we've seen before, not only once but maybe ten times! ;) But! When it's time for Horton again I don't mind at all! It's such a sweet story with a beautiful message and the kids see, understand more each time we see it... :)

I really should read of more of dr. Seuss's stories. I don't know if I'm not old enough or if he just didn't catch on here in Sweden or what...but yeah...Horton's it, when it comes to my experience of dr. Seuss...and it's the movie, not the actual book (do you know if it differs?). :) But, the snippets that I've read online makes me think he's worth 'hunting down'... :)

Committed

2011-04-14T18:50:00.000+02:00

The blurb:
Having been effectively sentenced to wed, Gilbert tackled her fears of marriage by delving completely into this topic, trying with all her might to discover (through historical research, interviews and much personal reflection) what this stubbornly enduring old institution actually is. The result is "Committed" - a witty and intelligent contemplation of marriage that debunks myths, unthreads fears and suggests that sometimes even the most romantic of souls must trade in her amorous fantasies for the humbling responsibility of adulthood. Gilbert's memoir - destined to become a cherished handbook for any thinking person hovering on the verge of marriage - is ultimately a clear-eyed celebration of love, with all the complexity and consequence that real love, in the real world, actually entails.

I agree with what's been highlighted.
I don't necessarily agree that Liz ever comes to the conclusion that marriage is a 'humbling responsibility of adulthood' or that it's 'destined to become a ... handbook' or that marriage is an actual consequence of real love, in the real world...which is the conclusion that I feel the blurb-author has come to. ;P I don't believe that Liz and 'Felipe' would have ever gotten married if they hadn't been forced to. This doesn't make their (or any other unmarried couples) love any more 'unreal' or 'irresponsible'... But! That's me being critical not of Ms. Gilbert's book but of the blurb-author! :) ;P :)

Now, here's the book review! ;)
So...even those who've haven't read Eat, Pray, Love knows it ends in Love. ;) Committed is the 'epilogue' of that love and Liz's...reconciliation of marriage. :) The Swedish title (which is the version I've read) 'I nöd och lust: en tvivlare försonas med äktenskapet' (i.e. 'for better or worse; a skeptic makes peace with marriage') sort of says it all :D and the ending is no surprise! ;)

Despite knowing where the book will end it is a good book! Just like in Eat, Pray, Love we're taken on Liz's journey, although now a more internal one (despite the fact that there is a great deal of actual journeying in the book too) on her 'quest' to 'get' the ancient institution of marriage. She shares with us what she's found about the subject, which is a lot and mostly very interesting. We follow her through her contemplations about what she's seen, heard and experienced of her own previous one and the marriages of her female relations. It's an interesting journey, her journey, but also one that other 'doubters', whether 'committed' or not, can/will enjoy.

It's a book about marriage, the history and sometimes consquences of marriages both today and 'yesterday'...the book is well worth reading for anyone interested in the subject. :)

Erin's 4 ! :)

2011-04-13T09:44:00.000+02:00

MissE on her 1st birthday. ♥

Not momma's baby anymore!

Erin 3 years 363 days 'old'. ;)

♥

I keep coming back to this topic, where in the world did time fly to? It has gone waaay to fast for me! :´) I can't believe she's grown into this big girl madam. :) This morning, after opening her pressies, getting ready for nursery she said 'Now I'm almost 5!' ;p 'Oh, no, you're not! :D You'll have to be four for another few days. I need time to get used to you being a big girl before you grow even bigger!' :) :) :)

She got a 'Merliah' Barbie doll from us, a Hello Kitty pen&pad from Anton and a soft toy TinkerBelle doll from Granny and Granddad this morning. I was a little bit 'worried' since Miss'Picky' ;) had wished for a specific blonde Barbie doll which I couldn't find so we had our fingers crossed to not repeat last years 'blunder' when Erin had wanted one thing and told us another. No worries! :D Merliah (as well as the other things) was immidiately accepted and Barbie even got to join her at nursery today! :)

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET HEART!!

♥

We love you so much!

♥ ♥ ♥

Retail therapy?

2011-04-09T20:31:00.001+02:00

I've been on a quest! Ever since the slim fit/legging/jegging was deemed 'fashionable' and quickly turned into the only existing option trouserwise everywhere a few years back. Being a big, tall, fat chick the 'fashionable' option is rarely and most definately currently far from flattering to my body type. The options available in the regular stores over here (i.e. Sweden) are ridiculous...
I need high rise, boot cut, long jeans/trousers! In my opinion this, as well as 'short' and 'regular' length as well as straight leg, should be a part of the all-year-round stock in any and all clothes stores! ...but... No! It's not...?!

Although!! :D I have finally found jeans that are long enough after a search that has only taken me (and my equally, although shorter, BBW-big sis) forever! :P Online, at bonprix, my dearest darling sis initially found a dress (I think) which made her dare to order more stuff, which included long jeans that she in turn recommended me to get. Not only did they fit well, in the right places, they were long enough and really well priced (bordering on cheap!). So I got me a pair (stone wash blue) and I love them so today I ordered two more, 'black' and 'used grey'...I added a few tops as well to the 'basket' as my work wardrobe is empty/uninspiring. :) *fingers crossed they all fit as well as the jeans have!*

And since I was sorta bored I made me a polyvore set too of the stuff I bought! ;)

Here's the set! :D

April 2011 - Simple Woman's Daybook

2011-04-09T13:34:00.001+02:00

Outside my window... Sunshine! ☼ Not a cloud in the sky...! :) Mild, slightly breezy, beautiful spring weather. ♥

I am thinking... Why did I start writing this while I'm making lunch? :)

I am thankful for... April sunshine! ♥

From the learning rooms... I miss it.

From the kitchen... Pasta and Swedish meatballs for lunch. :) Served with green peas and ketchup! :)

I am wearing... White/green tee with green 70s style flowerpattern and black capri sweats.

I am creating... an unfabulous lunch? ;P

I am going... nowhere. Not even forward at the mo, bu maybe that's ok...(?)

I am reading... 'Committed' by Elizabeth Gilbert.

I am hoping... We'll get our garden looking decent soon.

I am hearing... MisterMan and his friend C playing with lego, the meatballs frying in the pan and birds chirping outside.

Around the house... Sound of children enjoying ice cream. (yeah, lunch is already in them! ;))

One of my favorite things... Spring! ♥ Seasonwise it's 'only' beaten by Autumn.

A few plans for the rest of the week... The week is over tomorrow but its Little Miss's birthday next week (she'll be 4?!) so we'll be organising something for The Day as well as plan her 1st b-day party for friends next weekend. :)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Marianne Williamson

To read other womens daybook entries go to The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Spring?

2011-04-04T15:45:00.000+02:00

Well, it's nowhere near green yet (mainly misty, damp and kinda dreary) but the snow is goooone and the kiddies are done with wearing their winter overalls! :)

Spring is here!

On with the rain-/windproof Spring gear! ;) They'll be well worn for the next month or so 'til its time for shorts, scraped knees and sunscreen! :) :) :)

Here's a few pics from yesterday's walk. Erin was on her very first no-mama-play-date! It took her half an hour to let me go, but then (of course) she didn't wanna come home when the time came for that. :P

MisterMan, don't think they come any cuter than this! ;)

MissE poser in her pigtails. ♥

Running!! :D

Me and the Munchkins.

♥

Decision time.

2011-03-31T12:52:00.005+02:00

Making/taking decisions doesn't come easily for me. It's hard stuff, concerning all things, whether it be ordering a pizza, buying a new top or changing cars. It takes time and a lot of processing of ALL the what-if's and what-about's... Usually I stick to what I know or have (i.e. same pizza, no top), or I let other's decide (you know better, I trust you!(?)). But, this past week I made one decision! A huge one, one that's been brewing for a while now and that I've finally realised as ready-brewed and actually needing to be made...so...I made it! I decided, and realised that I neeeeed to make more 'cause it feels kinda good to have made one. :) It sort of forces me to take that next step and plan ahead on the step taken, rather than be stuck and pondering or what would/will/might happen if I take the step or not. My metaphorical foot was really tired and needed putting down and now the other foot can be tortured for a wee while 'til I've made yet another decision... I think that perhaps making one decision will in turn make making another one less difficult and perhaps it is making decisions is what will get the snowball rolling...? ...or (which I much more prefer than the winter symbolism) the Light shining...??

What decision did I make then you might wonder...? Well...it was probably one of the hardest ones I think I've ever had to make, one I never thought I would make.

I decided that with all things going on right now studying at university is just too damn hard. It broke my heart, more than a little bit, to realise this but I also realised that it's OK and it wouldn't be breaking my heart if I was on the wrong path. I know now, for sure that I want to teach and I'm going to teach...but... it'll have to wait for a little bit.

I need a break.

I need to find my footing again and find a way for studying to give me energy the way it has been previously. Recently I've just felt unfocused and drained, unexcited and...drained. The usual energy boost that studying has given me has just been lost with all that's been going on so...

I've given myself a break.

I'm going back to work ('til at least Jan. 2012) where my mind doesn't have to be ON all the time (sad but true) and where I can just go and do and I don't have to plan and figure things out or stress and worry about exams and papers etc. that are due and so on and so on. Planning, figuring, stress and worry I get plenty of anyways at home at the mo and I need home to be much less stressful to have and get energy to study.

It was a difficult decision to make (why start easy, eh?)...but, maybe, hopefully (?) it was necessary to make this one to be able to take the next step ahead. I am by no means thrilled about it but it does feel necessary and making it has made it easier for me to breathe and I desperately need some breathing space right now...

The ABC's of me...! bored ;)

2011-03-29T22:29:00.005+02:00

Found this here and thought it was funny so I'm doing it too! ;) Why don't you do it too and let me know in the comments!? :)

(A) Age: 30.

(B) Bed Size: King.

(C) Chore You Hate: Tidying! Although I love it when it's done!

(D) Dogs? No, but we have two cats. :P

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Coffee!

(F) Favorite Color: Purple.

(G) Gold or Silver? It changes...it was silver in my teens, then gold and now recently I'm leaning towards silver again.

(H) Height: 6'1:ish.

(I) Instruments You Play: Maracas? ;P

(J) Job Title: Mom.

(K) Kids: 2.

(L) Live: Borås, Sweden, Europe, World.

(M) Mom's Name: Arja.

(N) Nicknames: 'Pu'.

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? Until recently only at the birth of our little people, but now I can also count a dislocated jaw to the 'joyful' occasion for me needing to stay the night at the hospital. :P

(P) Pet Peeve: People who dig holes in the butter or slice the cheese unevenly.

(Q) Quote from a Movie: (I love quotes but I suck at movies quotes!).

(R) Right or Left Handed? Right.

(S) Siblings: 2, sisters, I'm the 'middle child'.

(T) Time You Wake Up? 5:30ish.

(U) Underwear: Ehm?! :/ Yes. Please...? :) The bigger the better! ;)

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: Haricot vert/Green Beans.

(W) What Makes You Run Late: My lazybone?

(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: Hand. Foot (ankle).

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Lasagne.

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Wolf.

:)

2011-03-28T10:56:00.003+02:00

So, I'm finally getting to a point where I'm as old as I feel. :) I'm almost there...! ;)

30.

The Big 3-0! :) I think I've been 'here' since I was about 14... :) Plans...? None at the mo. I'll have a b-day bash at some point ahead but I'm postponing it for a bit, just a bit! :) I'm thinking that the dress code might be 'country'...how does that sound? ;)

Kitchen pics! :)

2011-03-16T15:55:00.003+01:00

Sooo... the kitchen got painted this weekend. :) I'm loooooving the soft muted green. ♥ I just had to post some pics, even if the windows (all taped up and waiting) and other little nic-nac-bits are still to be done. The photos aren't the greatest either, the glare from the much longed for SpringSunshine is happily (IMO) making it a bit difficult to see the result and you won't hear me complain! :)
Yay Spring! :D

You're almost getting a 360 of our little kitchen, from left to right.

The cleaning cuboard. Previously hideous corner, now all neat and green.
Cuboard again with table and chairs and the window out the back.
Where there used to be a wall and for a looong while and ugly gap. Now 'fixed', less ugly, and all loooovely greeeen.
The countertop and window facing the neighbours house. Notice, no island 'top'. *phew!*
Fridge/freezer, Cornflake's, kitchen island again minus the 'top' over the island. MUCH better, airier! Peeking into our hallway.

I realised that I didn't take any before pics (mostly 'cause it was really bad looking before) but (now that it's purdy) I'll see if I can't dig out some oldies to share. ;)

March 2011 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

2011-03-10T21:36:00.007+01:00

Outside my window... Wetness, dampness, sleet and snow. Winter's giving Spring a hard time getting started and I'm rooting for Spring! :)

I am thinking... I need to expect the unexpected more, so I'll not be as surprised the next time something weird happens. ;)

I am thankful for... Family. ♥ They are the most treasured and valuable assets I have.

From the learning rooms... Math is fun! ;)

From the kitchen... nothing inspiring at the moment, and even less at the weekend when it's getting painted. :)

I am wearing... My grey lounge-about-the-house trousers and a plum coloured stretchy top, bare feet.

I am creating... a purdier kitchen? *fingers crossed*

I am going... to loose it if Spring doesn't get her behind over here soon! :)

I am reading... Faith & Practice.

I am hoping... the kitchen will be purdier by Sunday.

I am hearing... The snowplough scraping the road clear of the slushy sleet we've been bombarded with for the last two days.

Around the house... Chaos...? Most of the kitchen is in the living room, I'm moving the hallway stuff to the basement tomorrow (wanna get it painted too, if there's time).

One of my favorite things... Blogging, reading and writing. I write for me, yet I find SO much inspiration on other's...perhaps I too can/do inspire...that's be nice. Not important, but nice. :)

A few plans for the rest of the week... Sorting out the kitchen/hallway. Kiddies will be staying at Mum's ♥ during the chaos of Family ♥ once again descending on our home to lend us a hand. ♥

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

♥ Erin+heart = true ♥
(photo: Mine)
Little things can make a little girl very happy! :) Getting a heart shape on her slice of bread for example. ;) It is the little/simple things in Life that count.

For more daybook entries go to The Simple Woman's Daybook.

What a day/night!

2011-03-10T20:13:00.006+01:00

Oh my goodness...I would have never thought that a 'simple' visit to the dentist's would throw me into the middle of an unreal/surreal experience...!

Yesterday afternoon I was going to my 'yearly' teeth check-up at the dental hygienist, 'lucky' for me he had time (and we had the money) to ... what might it be in English... ? remove the plaque (?) of my teeth and on he went... It all went fine 'til he was all done and I tried closing my mouth.

...

...

No.

...

No!?

...

No!

I couldn't close my mouth, my jaw was locked - mouth open - like a blow up doll. :O My jaw was dislocated and apparently (!?) this sometimes happens even if it isn't a common occurrence...! The poor hygienist was, I think, as much in chock as I was and was pleased to see that I didn't freak out completely. :) I wasn't scared, or in pain, just sort of stunned at the fact that my mouth wouldn't close. Embarrassed too...! Felt stupid and stunned...what is going on...?! The hygienist went to get the Dr. dentist and he then tried manually to re-locate (?) my jaw with no luck. They then came to the conclusion that I'd need to go to the dental specialist at the hospital.

Could I go by myself...?
Nooo!

And Stephen couldn't take me either as the kiddies needed to be picked up from nursery so Nooo...! :´(

No need to worry, they found me a pair of lovely, very sympathetic ladies to come with me. They work for the dentist's sales department with marketing and are from out of town and insisted they didn't mind keeping me company.

The dental specialist's handiwork didn't work either and he said the the ER would have to help me out with some muscle relaxants :/ which changed into me being needing to be anaesthetised for me to be relaxed enough to fix. :\ No, no, no...but then again...having my mouth open for hours anything would have been an option! The marketing ladies were keeping my spirit up - what a bizarre place for us all to be in! :D

After having to wait for ages for a tired and grumpy ear, nose and throat doctor who made absolutely no attempt at calming or reassuring me I finally got admitted to the ward where a sweet nurse did the doctor's job and promised things would be over soon...I'd be seen to within two hours, or less... *sigh!*

The prospect of waiting for another two hours didn't feel great but...it could be less too...and so it was. After about half an hour it was time to go to the operating theater. Stephen just came in time to 'see me off' (Anna had come to relieve him of home-duty) and I sent the Lovely Ladies back to their hotel. I told S to go home to as I'd be staying the night.

The 'surgery' was over in no time, I was under for about half an hour and woke up with a big bandage round my head. :P I felt much, much, much better straight away and the night passed by without major disturbances...I was hungry (and not allowed to 'eat' more than fluids) and I had to adjust the bandage at one point - although it really served no proper purpose more than to remind me to not open my mouth too wide. I promise I'll be very, very, very careful of that for the rest of my life! :)

This morning I was released from the hospital with the recommendation to open my mouth too wide for about a week "No apples or BigMacs." was the Dr's words. :) Oskar, the dental hygienist, rang to see how things had gone and to make sure I was OK. :) :) Poor guy... :)

Thankfully I can see the 'funny side' of things now...when it's all over...! What else is there to do but shake ones head and snigger at the absurdness of it all...??
That's why I'm sharing these pics with you all. ;P

Before and After
;oP

Alice

2011-03-05T14:28:00.005+01:00

Time for another christening!
My newest niece
Alice Emma Lilo Susanna

(previously known as MiniP)
will have the 'honour' today. :)

I'm looking forward to seeing Family again and I certainly don't mind the following christening 'fika' with yummy cakes(?) that will accompany all the pleasant people. :)

Happy 30th birthday Anniina!

2011-03-03T12:50:00.005+01:00

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I'm blessed with 2 soul sisters. :)
One of them turns 30 today! :)
HappyHappyHappy Birthday my Love!
♥
For a whole 25 days she'll be 'thirty-something' and I'll still be 'twenty-something'. ;)

All my LOVE to you today!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

2011-03-02T17:50:00.001+01:00

"We are inclined to call things by the wrong names. We call prosperity 'happiness', and adversity 'misery' eventhough adversity is the school of wisdom and often the way to eternal happiness."
- William Penn

Life...

2011-02-24T15:36:00.005+01:00

Life has its twists and turns and it leads us to roads untraveled and destinations unknown. I'm currently not sure where I'm/we're headed and it's hard... I know things will be alright, 'cause strangely they always end up that way. No matter what trials and tribulations I've come across and/or gone through I've always ended up OK. I'm never sorry for the journey made and, mostly, eager to experience what's ahead.

I don't believe my life is any harder than anyone else's, nor is it any easier...it just is.
What becomes of it is up to Me.

sigh

2011-02-20T10:29:00.002+01:00

*breathe*

...

*breathe!*

They are 3 and 5 years old...not 23 and 25...!
3 and 5.
3 and 5.

3 and 5!
Little people...little...

Pushing all my buttons...! :[

...

*breathe...*

Née! ♥

2011-02-17T20:55:00.004+01:00

Heart and Soul
Open hearts, sharing souls, trusted friends.
Thanks for the chat sis ♥ and thank you for being the awesome you that you are! ♥ Speak to you again soon! ♥

♥

2011-02-14T15:54:00.001+01:00

It's Valentine's Day! ♥
Here in Sweden it's called Alla hjärtans dag, meaning All Hearts' Day. Sweet enough but I think I most prefer the Finnish Ystävänpäivä, which means Friend's Day. A day not just for your sweetheart but for all who are close to your heart! ♥

Hyvää ystävänpäviää to you all! ♥

Upsidedown...

2011-02-12T19:04:00.004+01:00

...that's what Life is right now...
Once again Family proves to be everything, without them things would be unbearable. Being dependent isn't my forte, I'm embarrassed and ashamed of my own lack of Strength and struggling to accept the support which is well needed.

Thank you. ♥

Egypt is free!

2011-02-11T18:40:00.003+01:00

This is History people! Mubarak has stepped down.
I hope and pray for a continued successful/peaceful progress towards democracy for the people of Egypt.
♥

Work placement 'recap'. :)

2011-02-06T14:27:00.006+01:00

So...it went better than I'd expected. :) I guess I was a bit of a grump about it all... ;] I'm still in a bad mood at the uni for not prepping us 'enough' but grateful I got such a good school/class/tutor(s) as I did. :) It's made all the difference!

My experience of this past week has been very interesting and helpful for the future. I'm already looking forward to going back in May for 'part 2' of this semester's work placement's. In May I'll be out for two weeks and get to do more lessons on my own.

This weeks assignment was to plan and do two lessons (I did the same one twice, at different times with different kids) and do three observations. All went well with the help of my tutor who guided me through it in a really helpful way - a good balance between support and constructive criticism. She's also offered to help out, if/when I need it, when it comes time to report the result of my observations to my teachers. :)

The little people in the class were all fab, some (of course!) a bit hesitant towards my presence there than others, and I think I managed to memorise all their names. :) It was a fairly large class, 26 pupils, although they did have 2 teachers so it worked well... It's a bit of an unusual construction of a class (I'll have to dig into it a bit more next time I'm there) :) but it works. The pupils work well in a whole class, better than they did in my previous work placement when they we're only 18 children, 1 teacher and 1 teacher/student assistant. Hmmm....? :)

To conclude...it was a good week. I even enjoyed the outdoors day, including the bit when the rain poured down on us and especially bbq:ing hot dogs on the open fire for the little people. :) We all reeked of smoke and dampness on our way back to school but I think all of us had a great day out! :)

Tangled review

2011-02-05T21:14:00.003+01:00

I loved it! :) I thought it was cute and sweet and funny, funnier than Disney usually is(?). It is beautifully made too, how they manage to make the hair so "real" and water so watery are things that just amaze me. :) My favourite part is when you see all the paper lanterns being lit and how the light spreads though the town and all over the 'kingdom' when they rise to the sky. *gooos bumps and teary eyes!* Beautiful.

The synopsis is (as usual when it comes to Disney) somewhat different than the 'original' Brothers Grimm version but... :) Disney can get away with it! ;) Rapunzel is (of course) a princess, but has been kidnapped and put into the (traditonal) high tower. And, her hair isn't just long but has magical healing powers too! ;D Love it! :D

I can most certainly recommend it! :)

'I see the Light'
Performed by Mandy Moore as "Rapunzel"
and Zachary Levi as "Flynn Rider

Lyrics:
Rapunzel:
All those days, watching from the windows
All those years, outside looking in
All that time, never even knowing
Just how blind I'd been

Now I'm here blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's oh so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be

And at last I see the light, and it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light, and it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright,
and the world has somehow shifted.
All at once, everything looks different, now that I see you.

Flynn:
All those days, chasing down a daydream
All those years, living in a blur
All that time, never truly seeing
Things the way they were

Now she's here, shining in the starlight
Now she's here, suddenly I know
If she's here, it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

Rapunzel and Flynn:
And at last I see the light, and it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light, and it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright,
and the world has somehow shifted.
All at once, everything is different, now that I see you.
Now that I see you.

Tangled

2011-02-05T10:51:00.004+01:00

Finally (i.e. yesterday) it's been released over here and Anton, Erin and I (+ both my sisters & nieces) are going to see it this afternoon! :) Yay! :D
Will let you know later if it was worth the wait! :)

Feb 2011 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

2011-02-02T21:53:00.008+01:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... Rain, melting snow = lots and lots treacherous ice.
I am thinking... I really shouldn't be sitting here with this. I should prep for tomorrow outdoorsy day with 'my' class.
I am thankful for... Friends. ♥
From the learning rooms... Being kind and compassionate doesn't just apply outwards but inwards too. I should try and treat myself with the same kindness and compassion that try to treat others with... ;]
From the kitchen... my school papers are spread across the kitchen table, where I should be sitting! ;P
I am wearing... A long nude coloured, comfy long sleeved tee and white leggings with a lace trim at the 'foot'.
I am creating... a math lesson for first grader's...or, I'm trying to! ;) Patterns is the subject. :)
I am going... to take the bus to the woods, in the rain (? hopefully not!), with a large group of little people tomorrow.
I am reading... Strength in Weakness by Gil Skidmore.
I am hoping... my lesson goes well on Friday.
I am hearing... the rest of the family snoring in their beds, the hummm of the laptop and the murmur of the 10 o'clock news from the living room.
Around the house... Evening 'silence', even our noisy cat's quiet.
One of my favorite things... silly, super girly, nail polish. Pink sparkles in the sunshine or (borderline hooker-)hot pink nails can lift my spirit in a brilliant silly girly fashion. A cheap treat I don't allow myself enough!
A few plans for the rest of the week... Being outdoorsy tomorrow, a nervous wreak on Friday, going to the movies on Saturday to watch Tangled with sister's and our kiddies. :)
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... The 'wallpaper' on my mobile phone. :)

For more daybook entries go to The Simple Woman's Daybook.

3 days to go.

2011-02-01T20:28:00.004+01:00

Well, two days really as Thursdays an outdoorsy day for the little people in the school. I'll try to get my observations out of the way (yes, that's how I feel about them) tomorrow and I need to get my lessons planned and mapped out tomorrow to get an OK-stamp on it all on Thursday afternoon when we get back to school (all wet and frozen I'm sure!).

Thankfully things have been much better then I anticipated and my tutor(s) are great, very helpful. We sat down and had a really good chat about my assignments and help with planning them and I got lots of ideas and helpful hints. :) I do feel much better but it's hard to shake that feeling of dread when it has put its claws in you...

"All" I have to figure out 'til tomorrow is that bleedin' class (math) that I'm doing for the little people on Friday...and I'm not getting anywhere...and getting frustrated fast! I'm hunting the web for ideas but I'm knackered after a terrible start of the day (I'll spare you the details) and I just wanna go to bed...! :P

:/

2011-01-30T22:13:00.000+01:00

Going to bed now...still not looking forward to tomorrow.
*pout*

Still feeling a bit... hmpf...!

2011-01-30T15:09:00.003+01:00

Yeah... :/ tomorrow's day 1 of 5 at one of the smaller schools in town and 5 days feels, right now, eternally long. I feel slightly more prepared than I did the other day but SO much depends on how good my tutor is, how motivated she is to help me learn and grow as a teacher. If she is then my work placement has the possibility of being fantastic but if she's not then these 5 day will be hell...! :/

I really really don't like the uncertainty of it all, I don't like things being left this much to 'chance'...not when it come to my education and my future. It shouldn't be left to luck if I make it through or not. It should be well organised and structured with minimum possibilities of surprise! Being surprised is a part of the profession, dealing with uncertainty is to be expected as a part of the job but not in the initial parts of learning of how to be a good teacher... :/

I'm not looking forward to tomorrow...

Christening

2011-01-30T12:54:00.007+01:00

Yesterday we went to my cousin's son's christening. :) It was lovely and little Miio was very well behaved through the whole church service and following coffee+cakes. :) Many blessings to Miio and his family! ♥

My bestest ;) mum in the whole wide world picked up our family and drove all of us to Trollhättan and then gave us a lift home again... It was really nice to make it to this Family event even if we have to rely on Family to get us where we need to be. :) Thanks Mum! ♥

Feeling fed up!

2011-01-25T20:28:00.007+01:00

:/ Next week we're out again on workplacement and I sooo wish I was looking forward to it but I just have this heavy feeling at the pit of my stomach and I was actually in tears today as I feel SO unprepared! We've got three observation assignments + we're supposed to be in charge of two seperate teaching situations (i.e. classes) of 40 min. each. All this is to be done in one week!

BUT! WE HAVE NO EXPERIENCE TEACHING LITTLE PEOPLE ANYTHING!?!

How in the WORLD am I supposed to do all this with a group of little people who don't know me, and who I don't know at all either...?! Teach them...what? I have no idea...! :/

If teaching was that easy, in my blood easy, I'd not need to go to bleeding school to learn how to teach so...teach me! I feel so...just thrown in the deep end and completely unprepared...! :(

We're supposed to get important info tomorrow about what we're doing and such but I doubt it'll miraculously make me feel prepared! :[

Maybe I shouldn't be a teacher after all...? :(

Under the weather...

2011-01-22T10:44:00.007+01:00

This past week has not been the greatest health wise. Don't worry! Sniffles, colds and fevers "just"...but it takes a toll on ones energy, that's for sure. The house is past its usual state of chaos and has taken a step into a catastrophical state...! :/ I just see ALL the mess and ALL that needs doing and I have no energy to do any of it...!

:) I can't even boss the kiddies about as they too are full of cold. Its Erin's turn to have the fever now... :/ So, they're not on top of their game either so nagging is pointless and too energy consuming... :P

Stephen? :) You might have thought I'd forgotten about him...?! ;P No, he's just as impossible to motivate to start tidying as the little ones and his standard of living must be eons away from mine as he's not been moved by this chaos to start without me nagging... ;P

Lucia? :)

2011-01-21T21:40:00.004+01:00

As you might remember our dearest darlings had their Lucia celebrations cancelled but, strangely (?) enough the nursery decided to do it anyways. No matter that they (and I assume all the parents too) had put Christmas back into boxes and stored away 'til next time... No, Lucia was back on, early this morning!

I thank my lucky star for my fantastic little sister who was able to come over and stay the night and help me get sorted this morning! ♥ It was quite stressful as it was and without her help I might just have completely lost it...! ;P

Despite the (more than) slight strangeness of doing Lucia over a month late it was beautiful! :) The little ones knew their little songs SO well and it was actually quite cosy doing the whole thing at the nursery rather than in the school diner/stage. It was sweet and I'm so glad Anton got to be Lucia like he'd been sooo looking forward to being. His last Lucia at nursery, later on this year (I almost wrote next year!) he'll be in school?!? :O :D
I definitely had the two loveliest Lucias of them all! ;) I'll post pics when S gets them onto the computer and I'm sure you'll agree. :) ;) :)

It truly, honestly was lovely to see but I can't seem to let go of the "but..." that desperately wants to follow... The "but" that wonders why they couldn't just let it be, do something else...? I'm sure they've had their good, valid reasons but they've not been shared with us parents and it's...strange. I thought the initial cancellation of Lucia was a bit rash but then if it's cancelled, its cancelled...surely? Or possibly postponed for maximum a week, not over a month?! Or... I don't know...

Getting clear answers, and motivations, from that place is like getting blood from a stone but I keep trying. If it wasn't for the fact that the kiddies thrive and are happy there I'd not taken all this...'nonsens'...but... :) they do and and they are so...that's the most important thing. :) :)

Elsa Pasanen

2011-01-20T19:48:00.004+01:00

My maternal grandmother Elsa
She would have turned 91 today, but only got to be 71. ♥ ♥ ♥

Hmpf!

2011-01-18T16:39:00.000+01:00

Of course...!

2011-01-17T09:15:00.005+01:00

My first weekend off since I started uni and Anton's got a strange fever that peakes about every 9 hours. He was complaining of a sore tummy too so initially I thought that he had a tummy bug...but so far, no. He's slept most of the weekend. Yesterday he fell asleep before dinner and barely woke up, fever free, for a little sandwich at midnight and then slept all night, also without a fever. He'd gotten over 12 hour sleep when he woke this morning...

I have no classes today so kiddiewinks are home with me, Anton had a slight fever again this morning so he'll not be going to the swimming class that starts today (or to nursery tomorrow). He might get to come with me and Erin and have a look at the place.

Now to the 'of course'... Kiddies get sick and I don't mind that (not even the occational tummy bug) but I mind feeling under the weather! :( This morning I woke up feeling like I'd gone 10 rounds in a WWF fight... :/ Tired, aching body and sore head + an annoying tickle at the back of my throat! :[ Since I'm feeling quite pitiful I can also (if I really have a good feel for how miserable I feel) detect a slight pain in my ears too. So, tonsillitis and ear infection to come?! :P I don't think so! I have NO time for such nonsens!! *grumpy*

It just feels so typical, I get to finally release some of my inner stress with a whole weekend off and I'm hit with crappy germs! *pout* And noooo I'm not surprised that it happened but it's still annoying! ;P

I have to pull myself together for kids swimming class this afternoon as Stephen (who doesn't know how to swim) would never enter a swimming pool on his own and is even less likely to do so with the kiddies. They've been so eager to go too so not going until next week is just not happening! :) :)

Treats :)

2011-01-15T10:07:00.005+01:00

Yesterdays exam went well. *phew!* Afterwards I treated myself to a few tops to wear when going to the gym (which I still haven't done yet!). I got the tees from ginatricot and I love the 80s text design on them and that they are a little bit cheeky. :) That suits me perfectly and now I'm all geared up (I even got a water bottle with the University logo on it the other day! ;)) for getting back on my weight loss path, enough with the lazying about!! :P

When looking on gina's website I also found this top that I didn't see in the store, seems like the perfect work out/power-walking top don't you think?! :D