Isolde's Birthday Party

Some photos from Isolde's recent birthday party.  For her party we did a repeat of last year and had an open house between 14 and 18 and invited most of our friends who either have kids or are important in Isolde's life in some way, as well as family and relatives.  Like last year we ended up being around 30 adults and 15 kids, not all at the same time but it was still quite crowded and loud mid-way through.  Next year when Isolde turns 3 we will probably have a separate kid party and a family/close friends gathering.  And I'm not sure what we will do for first couple of birthdays of the new baby..? It's fun to see everyone and I don't want to have to choose whom to invite really - and when you have young children, parties are in many ways an opportunity for the parents to socialise - but it's a bit hectic with so many people.  We'll see...

Duplo (the safari series especially) was a bit of a theme among the gifts (my mum in red).

First more Duplo, then cute finger dolls from Afroart

Selection of guests



I tried to get Isolde to go and sit with little friends Adrian and Edward but she wanted to pose at the front :)

Some of the goodies - and there was cake as well of course

Little guests and chaperones busy in Isolde's room, aka the playroom

Isolde with godmother Maria, playing with the selection of cookies beautifully crocheted by my aunt and Isolde's great aunt (I will show you a close-up later)

The aftermath...

28 January

Taking the opportunity to wish Anna in NYC, little Alfred in Munich and a friend's sister Happy Birthday on the best birthday of the year (if you didn't guess already it's also my own)! :) Hope you all have a great day!

Belly Shots

I have been very bad at documenting this, my second pregnancy, compared to when I was expecting Isolde, both in terms of taking photos of my growing tummy and keeping a diary.  I guess that's the way it is when it's not your "first time" and there's an extra person constantly calling your attention and you just don't have yourself to think about.

I promise tell you in more detail about this pregnancy later (though it's quite similar to my first one) but for now, here are some belly shots, as it's fun to compare.  What do you think?  I don't think there's much difference size-wise - and in fact, I'm smack on average like last time according to the midwife's measurements - though I think I'm carrying this one slightly wider.  Last time at this stage (week 34) my tummy really looked like a football from the front (no such shot below though) but now it's not as pronounced; a bit rounder and fatter I guess.

These first two photos show me earlier today.   I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant, week 33+1 to be exact.   As you can see I'm not very good at taking pictures of myself with my phone :)


Below is a comparison between me at 22+3 weeks pregnant with Isolde (left photo), and 22+2 weeks pregnant this time around (right photo):

Last is a comparison between me at 34+5 weeks pregnant with Isolde (left photo) and me today at 33+1 weeks pregnant (right photo):

Saturday (and Friday Gallery)

Peter was working today and out with friends this evening so Isolde and I have had the whole day to ourselves. We decided to go to Södertälje to see my parents as well as Maria and Daniel. Daniel is recovering from a big operation so we wanted to stop by and see how he was doing.

Now it's almost 9:30 pm and I've just made myself a cup if tea and am watching an old episode of Midsomer Murders. I have a light migraine (either from the cold weather or due to relaxing after a busy work) so I'm going to go to bed at ten, which is very early for me, even on a work day.

Tomorrow we have swimming (first time in a year so it will be interesting to see what Isolde thinks about it now) and little cousin O's first birthday party to look forward to.

But before I say good night, a belated Friday Gallery. Yesterday's theme was accessories and the first thing that came to mind was my iPhone, which I use every day (every hour and maybe even every minute) and I couldn't live without and from which I posting this (and doing so much more).

Good night!

Christmas 2012

Here are some pictures from Christmas, better late than never, right!

We started our Christmas celebrations at lunch with Peter's parents and one of Peter's godparents.  Isolde got to open her first Christmas present (from her grandparents, so they didn't need to carry a quite heavy package to Peter's sister where we'd be spending the evening), a old-fashioned race car that has been on her (or mine..?) wish list for a while.  

"Helping" dad put the car together was as much fun as driving it.

Christmas Eve(ning) was spent at Peter's sister A and husband M, who had invited us, Peter's parents, M's parents, M's brother with family, and M's brother's wife's mum and husband, for potluck (we were responsible for herring and shrimp as well as chocolate and toffee for coffee treats) dinner and pressies.  We were 12 adults and three children so the noise was quite high for a while - but somehow the kids slept through it once they had gone to bed.

There were so many presents, probably at least a third of them for the kids, so we put most of the kids' presents aside for the following day.



Santa stopped by of course!

Isolde didn't want to let cousin O. have daddy to herself.



Cousins with an ear fetish...

Snuggly slippers in one of the boxes!

Christmas Day we continued the festivities at my parents.

Morfar and Isolde had fun with the sled for a while.  The next day the weather got milder and the snow started melting so it was good that they took the chance on Christmas Day.

Godmother Maria and Daniel stopped by for glögg and saffron buns and gift exhange.

An attempt to take a nice mother-daughter photo in front of the Christmas tree...

Boxing Day we were back in Stockholm and Isolde played with some of her new toys before we went over to Peter's parents for turkey dinner with his uncle and cousin.

The new Pippi house is popular.

Attempt to get farfar with his two grandchildren to all pose at the same time...ehum...

Friday Gallery: Bad Habits

Penny has chosen a very difficult topic for this Friday, at least as far as illustrating with pictures is concerned!  But I'm going to make it easy for myself and post something funny I saw today.

Considering Isolde's addiction with iPhones and iPads and with her approaching toilet training age, she will probably need one of these:

Two Years Old Today!

Turning 2 can be a bit tiring as you can see. We had the big celebration last weekend (photos coming soon) so this morning she "only" got to open one present and this evening we gave her blueberries for dessert, her favourite. And she got to wear the crown at pre-school today.

A Non-Year in Books

A total of five books. A miserable year as far as reading is concerned… (well, unless children's books count).  I guess that should be my 2013 resolution; to read more.

• “How the States Got their Shapes” by Mark Stein
• "Icons of England"
• "Det dyrbara" by Linn Ullmann
• "Gravidchock: reporter erkänner" by Belinda Olsson
• "Ketchupmamman" by Karin Lindell

2012 in Films

I didn't read much in 2012 (shame, shame, shame) but I watched quite a lot of films (though very few in the cinema).  A list, with the best ones at the top, in case you're looking for tips.

5

Hur många lingon finns det i världen

My Sister's Keeper

4

Safety Not Guaranteed

What to Expect When You Are Expecting

Hamilton - I nationens intresse

Unknown

Safe House

Le premier jour du reste de ta vie

Tower Heist

Eat, Pray, Love

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

3

Nativity!

Friends with Kids

How Do You Know

The Five-Year Engagement

Animal Attraction

American Reunion

Nanny McPhee

The Way Back

Bottle Shock

2

TED

The Campaign

Puss in Boots

1

The Adventures of Tintin

Elizabethtown

Friday Gallery: Expectations for 2013

I will write more about expectations for 2013 later but a quick post for today's Friday Gallery (hostess for January is Penny). Most on my mind right now is of course the little one in my tummy as well as Isolde in the big sister role. Can't wait for March to come!

2012 Christmas Present Exchange

In this year's Secret Santa that Emma organises every year I was treated to some Florida treats by Katrin aka Swede in Florida. I'm looking forward to devouring saltwater taffy and trying the orange coconut marmalade and especially the alligator beef jerky. Thanks Katrin!

I sent my gift to Cecilia in the UK. I was a bit late but I hope she has received it by now. She doesn't have a blog so can't check. I sent a necklace, a owl birthday card and sweets (must for Swedes abroad), according to her wish list :) No photo evidence though.

Can't wait for next year's Secret Santa!