Enjoying some time outside with Mamma.

Noises 03.

Noises 02.

Noises 01.

Bookshelves.

I think it was.. Tuesday maybe, Fredrik emptied the bookshelves and we put in the new bookshelf. Annoyingly, it is a little lighter than the other ones, even though they are the same color, because it is unweathered. So it will take awhile for it to be the same color as the others. And we need to get a longer extension for the light. We bought these bookshelves... almost 5 years ago from IKEA, and they have none of the same pieces.. :/ Only the 80cm was the same. We also have 60cm, which they don't sell any longer, now they have 40cm. And the top lights aren't sold anymore, so we couldn't get one for the new bookshelf. Sorta annoying.







We have the top shelf, just haven't put it up yet.. :P
Yesterday I took "a few minutes" and put some things back on the shelves. :)





Looks good. :) Not finished, but much better. Might try to get some baskets from IKEA that should fit in the shelves to put my yarn in. I don't really have anywhere to store it. Right now it is in boxes in the cellar, which isn't exactly the best place for it. Behind the doors is where we used to keep DVDs, which was not enough space. Now we have our financial folders in there, well hidden, because they aren't so attractive. We also need to get a couple more bookshelves. And we want to get some... magazine organizers to put all our Hus och Hem magazines in. (House and Home - it is the only magazine subscription we have, but we really like it.)

It will be awhile before we can get the rest of the things we need, bookshelves, etc.. Even though we are close to an IKEA, it is still far away. Especially considering we don't want to go on a weekend, because it is just TOO crowded. And it is too far to drive there for an afternoon. So, we'll see when we get the extra things we need.. :/ :)

Mamma and her pumpkin'.

Not the most attractive picture of me.. :/ :) My hair has been falling out like crazy, but I read that that happens and that it will fix itself. And when I'm stressed I lose an unnatural amount of hair anyways.. But I'm super self-concious about it though.. :/

Fredrik left around 11 and Leia and I miss him already. She has been sleeping since 11.30, so I've had some lunch and I've managed to get a little studying in (taking a little break now). It was really nice having Pappa here in the morning today. We only have him on the weekend mornings.

The book keeping test will be over the first 4 chapters, and it is the last chapter that has scared the poopies out of me.... :/ :) It is about legal/law stuff, and it is confusing! :) Once again, remembering all these weird words in Swedish takes a little more time.

And I'm trying to catch up a little with my Swedish work, which isn't so difficult.

Back to work.. :P

She did it!!! :D

She just rolled from her back to her tummy, all the way over! Even moved her arm out from under her and everything. :)) Yay!

Dooms Day Vault.

Okay, so I thought this was super-cool! I have to share.

They have built a "Dooms Day Vault" on an Arctic island in Norway. And I have some pictures of what it looks like. In it they are housing seeds from every country, etc, etc.. In case a catastrophic event takes place and.. we loose.. things.. :P They have called it "The Worlds Refrigerator." :) It will keep seeds safe for centuries. It will house 4.5 million different seeds, to protect them from climate change, plant epidemics, natural disasters or war.

Norway came up with the idea in June 2005 and started blasting away at the rock the next year, what they called a "Noah's Ark." The tunnel goes 400 feet (120 m) into the mountain, where seeds are secured in foil, 500 seeds of each sample. Some of the seeds, like wheat, barley, and peas will be safe for over 1,000 years.

There are an estimated 1400 seed banks in the World, some which have already been destroyed by weather (Philippines) and by war (Iraq and Afghanistan). While Norway owns the vault, each country will own the seeds they deposit.

Not too bad.

The test wasn't difficult. So that was a relief. :) There were 36 questions and I missed 4. :P You have to have 75% to pass, I had 88%. So no worries about that. Just 6 more tests to take....... :)

I got Leia to eat today.. :P Fredrik and I both said at the same time why we think she is fighting to eat during the day: she then knows she will have to sleep. :P I had to get her crying today before I could get her to eat.. :/ She tightens her lips as much as possible, so you have to get her to open her mouth, and then she will drink and then you have to.. keep her at it and eventually she'll give in. She is such a booger.




She loves this thing. She will lay there and move the pieces around.




And she loves these books, I have two and she gets happy as soon as she sees them. They are the first books that we started reading to her and she recognizes them right away. Right now she enjoys eating them, though. :P

Fredrik finally gets a full day of work tomorrow. Since he had to come home early the last two days to "babysit" while I can get my things done. :)

Hmmm...
I'm lagging in the Swedish work, though.. :/ It just isn't so challenging, and I can do the work. What I need practise with is talking, and that isn't going to happen unless I am in class. So, I guess I feel like it is sorta a waste, but I am glad I am doing something, to keep up what skills I have. I can speak okay (I think), when I'm not too shy, but it is reading aloud that I am hesitant with.

The book-keeping is going okay, I think. Lots of weird stuff to remember.
This last chapter is lots of weird stuff. With lots of questions at the end of the chapter about things I haven't read about IN the chapter, so that is always interesting...... So, I just hope that the test is more about balancing an account, putting things in the right account with the verification numbers and all that, and not about answering so many questions in writing.. :))

I don't have to take the test on Monday, he said that I can if I feel ready, otherwise he'll just call me and see how things are going. I'll keep reviewing and see how confident I feel by the weekend. And if I feel confident by the weekend, then I can review even more during the weekend.. :D And take the test on Monday.

I told Fredrik ... I have this.. thing about school. I can't just pass a class.. I have to .. get the best grade possible. :/ It is just.. me. I haven't gotten lower than a VG in any of my Swedish classes, and I've gotten a couple of MVGs. In lots of classes it isn't possible to get an MVG (stingy teachers). So, since I don't have as much time to study as I normally would, I am having issues with having to deal with the reality getting a G (passing grade - anything from a B-D in the US). [The Swedish grading system has issues, but that isn't for this post.] So, this is bothering me a bit.. :/ To accept that I might just get a passing grade and not the best grade possible.. :/

Isn't that the nerdiest thing you have ever heard?!

More babies.

Here is Leia playing with a calculator. She loves anything that she shouldn't have, of course, so we found this old calculator that isn't so important, and we let her play with it. Better than her eating our cell phones and remote controls.. :/ :)

She is seriously on the verge of crawling.. :/ She is reaching forward with her arms and pushing both legs up under herself. She is usually going for toys that have gotten out of her reach. I have a video of her doing it, but it is a little long.

Fredrik and I have decided, though, that we both are certain that if we had any more babies that we would only have girls. :/ :) Not sure why, but we both are certain.

Leia ate well last night before bed, and then she ate well during the night. We prefer that she wake up once during the night instead of sleeping the whole night through. She sleeps better if she wakes up once. But she isn't wanting food this morning. She readily took the bottle, ate about ½-1oz and then that was it.. :/ She pushed it out and keeps her mouth sealed shut and won't take it.. :/ She is wetting plenty of diapers, so nothing to worry about. It is sorta just annoying because she won't nap if she doesn't eat, so.. we'll see if I can get her to eat better today. :)

She is fun to watch, though. When she wants something, she doesn't reach with the hand closest to what she wants, she will try to reach with the other hand. Which is practical, because it is helping her to roll over and move around more.

She is okay to lay on her back, but she really, really enjoys being on her tummy. And she likes hugging pillows, too. :) And this enormous hippo stuffed animal, too. And she tries with all of her might to take her socks off.

I have my first (of seven) computer tests today. Have to pay.. The books were 500sek (77$), the card is 400sek (62$) and then each test is 60sek (10$). It adds up to being an expensive class. :P

And my book-keeping teacher called again last night.. I hope that we can.. stop doing this talking on the phone once a week.. :/ it is really pointless. But we fixed it so that I can try to take my test next Monday, around 17.00. He was impressed with how far along I have gotten. I just hope the test goes well. The numbers aren't a problem, it is being able to explain why everything is the way it is that might trip me up. Explaining things in your own language can be difficult enough some times, but having to do it in a second language adds a little more "fun!"

Okay, now time to try to clean up the kitchen, get Leia to eat, and see if she will nap this morning.

Dentist.

Dentist appointment went well actually. Can't complain. :) The most resent cavity that I had filled (when I was pregnant) has come loose, so they will fix that the middle of March. Other than that, all is well. :P

Not that much going on.. :/
A boring Monday.
Leia hasn't wanted to eat today, and what she is eating, she is spitting most of it up. So, we are guessing she is tired of food for the moment or she has an upset tummy. She slept extremely well last night, but has only taken a 40 minute nap today. So, we hope she sleeps well tonight. She is a little cranky right now, but that is probably because she is tired. We're hoping her tummy is happier and she starts eating better. We'll give it tomorrow, too, and after that we'll call her nurse and worry about her not wanting to eat.

Blah..
My test tomorrow. Not really worried about that too much. Shouldn't be a problem.

Ehh.. more tomorrow.. :P

MMmmmmmm... Carrots........

Vinegar.

Today we got up and got ready early and we went to the grocery store. With much success, too, because it was empty. We hate going shopping when it is crowded, so today we were able to take our time and probably buy more than what we needed.. :P

And of course a picture of Leia in the car on the way home. I love her pants. They are from Baby Gap. And are size 6-9 months! They are almost too small around the waist - they are a bit tight, but they are slightly too long. So, she will hopefully get to wear them a little in the future when her tummy slims down some when she gets a little more active.

I cleaned the fish tank today, with vinegar, and now the whole house stinks. :/ Leia has been asleep for almost 3 hours, so we are anxiously awaiting for her to wake up so Fredrik can go rinse out the tank in the shower.

We don't think that the people that have lived in the house before us have ever oiled the deck, because some parts are green..... :/ So that is the first thing that Fredrik and I are going to have to do this Spring is oil the wood, and hope that we can keep it okay for a while, and not have to replace the wood too soon. Really, really annoying.

Fredrik had a bank appointment last week, to discuss financial stuff, an annual meeting. And the banker lives a street over from us or something like that, and she was more than willing to share neighborhood gossip. :) Of the people that moved into the other house we looked at to buy, it is 2 houses down. And we knew they had a baby, but I guess they had twins! So, she had lots of "fun" info to share. :)

This happened last week, but it was really annoying. Fredrik bought 2 (Triss) lottery tickets (50kr). We won on both of them! Winning 175 kr! So, he bought 7 more tickets... And we didn't win anything!!!?! We were very unhappy.. :/

School is going okay. I hate the program that the school uses, though. :/ It is called "First Class" and I have used it before with a school in Stockholm, but I didn't have to use it very often, then. And I hope that I won't have to now, either. It is extremely primative. It is.. awful to use and right now all I can do is log in, it isn't letting me access anything. So, I've e-mailed and I've gotten no help. So, now I am trying the computer teacher, to see if she can fix the problem. And I talked to her about when I might be able to take my first computer test next week.

And I am re-vamping my movie blog.. :P
Yes, of course I have time for this!! A 4 month old, a full time student, actively write one blog, why not another?! :))
When I started the first movie blog, I had to write all the code myself. So, it was difficult having the time to do everything that needed to be done for it. Now Blogger has a much more simple posting and html editing option, so I don't have to code everything myself. So, I decided to move the reviews to a new blog, which will take awhile, but that is okay. I found a great template, and added my own little *spark* to it, with the popcorn picture. And then I also use that as my rating platform. :)
I'm all excited about my movie review site.......
Hillary's Move Review

I found the popcorn picture and then Fredrik helped me with transparency and all that stuff. I like it. :P

This week.. Dentist for me on Monday.. blah.... I hate going to the dentist. And hopefully I can take my computer test some time. And on Thursday, Fredrik has to go to Trollhättan. They are having a day there, a "fun" day ... they will go over some work surveys and talk about lots of "important" things. And then go bowling, and have dinner. It was going to be from 08-20.00. But they changed it to 13-22.00.

But now Leia is awake, and it is time for her to try carrots for the first time. :))

Play time 02.

Play time 01.

Blah blah blah...

We've had a bit of a messy house for the past few days, while getting the IKEA stuff put together.






We have put everything together besides the new bookshelf. And that we might have to wait a little bit for. We have to move everything out of the bookshelves and move the bookshelves and then put in the new bookshelf and then put everything back. So that is going to be a big job.

Today was a cleaning day. We are getting anxious for Spring and we want to get going on the Spring cleaning. Especially with getting new things for the house, it motivates us a little more.

Fredrik spent Thursday and Friday putting together the big cabinet for the hallway. We were afraid that it would be too much for the entrance, but we think it looks nice. It might not fit perfectly with the room, but, we need the storage space.






We need to do some grocery shopping, but we are going to wait until tomorrow. Thinking that since this was pay-week, that everyone in town went today, so we hope that tomorrow will be less crowded.

And I found another cute video of Leia playing with a square toy.. I'll try to put that on.

She is doing fantastic, still, with everything. Last night she almost went all the way from her back to her belly, and this morning she went from her tummy to her back. She is imitating things we do, especially noises. And she laughs at EVERYTHING. :)) Although her laughing is more of a pig-squeal-ish sound.. :))

Now I should try to do some school work, and then try to do some more cleaning after that.. :P

Caesar and Leia.

The extent of their relationship.. :)

Me and my big mouth......

I said it wouldn't snow again... Well, it snowed again......

It sprinkled a little all day, and then it got worse, and then it snowed and rained at the same time, and then it turned to snow. And it is still on the ground. Very annoying. Snowing while the tulips are about 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) out of the ground..

But I like the picture. :) Took it myself. :) Fredrik still doesn't take pictures of Leia and I together, so I have to do it myself.. :P

Not that much going on. Leia is almost rolling all the way from her back to her stomach. She is sleeping very well during the days. She is reaching for everything, even Fredrik and I. She is a lot of fun and extremely entertaining. :) She LOVES Caesar. :) If you put her next to him she grabs his hair and starts talking to him and looks up at me and has a look of awe on her face. She is extremely in love with him. Not sure if the feeling is mutual, though... :) He sniffs her and rubs against her some time, but he really isn't that intersted right now. He doesn't mess with her. If we're in her room, he'll sometimes come in and watch, etc..

School is okay. I'm doing what I can, when I can. And I'm not stressed out about it or anything. I can only do what I can do, and I think that it will go fine. :)

One of my very best friend's son, Trenton, is having oral surgery today. So we're sending lots of well wishes to Kansas today.

One of few..

Repost.

I forgot to translate for the non-Swedish speakers..! :P Sorry about that!!

__________________________

If Winter continues to be severe there is a risk for electricity rationing in Sweden.

Are you afraid of electricity rationing this Winter?

Sofia Lind, 22, waitress, Jönköping: No, I am not particularly dependant on electricity, because I work and live in the middle of town.

Teletubbies!

Leia LOVES the Teletubbies! I think she wakes up right before 7 every morning so that she can be downstairs to watch it.. :/ :))

Happy noises.

Now with DVDs.

I put in the DVDs this morning. Leia "helped." :)

Looks very nice. And as you can see, we really needed the storage space for the DVDs. We have a few?! :)) And we thought it more appropriate that the DVDs be in the same room as the TV and not in the bookcase in the office room. :/ :)

Fredrik is a little disappointed, I think. He thought we would have more DVDs .. but I told him that we have to have some extra room in there, to hold even more movies that we can buy... :D

Bookcase and Leia.

We ended up putting all of these together last night. We are extremely pleased. :) We ended up moving the fish tank to the dining room, because it just looked too cramped on the wall. And where we moved the fish tank, there is an outlet, so we can get fish now. So, now we hope to get fish soon. We know that Leia will love them. :) Now to just move the DVDs in. :/ :)

And we still have to get the extra bookshelves. Since the DVDs aren't very tall, we can fit an extra level of shelving, but the extra shelves have to be bought separately, and we completly forgot to order them when we bought everything... :/ So, we'll have to try to get those some time.

On Tuesday I finally got my.. class information for my ECDL (computer) class. I think I will have my first test next week (7 tests total). It should be pretty easy, I hope. I'm just so confused about the testing procedure.

Fredrik ran out of flex-time for work awhile ago. So he has been going in very early the last 2-3 weeks, trying to build up his time again. When he builds up his flex-time, then he can take more time off here and there, come home a little early, etc. And we're still hoping to get his Monday's off sometime soon. So I can get some more help with Leia and with housework, and he can spend some more time with his baby girl. :)

Leia went to bed at 18.45 last night, and woke up at 23.30! Fredrik got up and he guessed that she finally passed some gas that has been bothering her. And he talked to her a little and put her back in bed, and then she slept almost until 07.00! Without any food during the night, so we are proud of her.

I took this picture of Leia yesterday and it has to be one of the best.. :) Quite a beauty. :)




She is pushing her knees up under her much more now when she is on her tummy, and she is pushing herself up off the floor. We are expecting crawling at any time... :D She isn't moving forward or backwards, but she is moving sideways.. :/ :) And she rotates herself. If there is a toy beside her, she won't reach for it, she will turn her body so that she is facing it and play with it that way. I'm certain we can get her to crawl by offering her a cell phone or remote control. :/ :)

We don't think we are going to get any more snow this Winter, our Winter ended awhile ago, and we had a very, very short Winter. They seem to be getting shorter and less intense every year. But it is getting brighter and brighter in the mornings. And while it is still cold, there are a few days where it is very nice outside, and you can go out in a T-shirt!

But now Leia is reminding me that it is getting about time for her morning nap, always exactly 1½ hours after she wakes up in the morning.
So, more soon!

First shelf.

I did one of the shelves today.. I had to see what it would look like.. :) Fredrik is working on the other narrow one now, and then we'll do the wider one. Looks great, we think. :)

Va?!

BVC.

Leia's appointment went well.

Her growth:
7560 g / 16.6 lbs (+ 800 g / 1.8 lbs)
64 cm / 25 ins (+ 2,6 cm / 1 in)

We are happy she got a little longer. :)

We are all doing well. My back is killing me again, I can barely move. It is definitely from carrying and holding her and there isn't much I can do about that. I take pain pills and try to rest as much as I can when I don't have to hold her.

IKEA stuff tomorrow!!!

T-konto.

I just fully balanced my first T-konto!! :D All the way to the "utgående balans." On my first try, too! :) Very proud of myself. :))))

Silly, I know, but this is complicated. :/ :))

Fredrik, too..

Fredrik is having strange dreams now, too. He had a dream last night that was very Twin Peaks-ish. Involving me and a horror movie actor, Bill Moseley (from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, House of 1000 Corpses, and Devil's Rejects, etc... He is a great actor actually, one of my favorites.). He and I were in a cabin in the desert, and then the rest is very freaky - Twin Peaks-ish.

And I dreamt ... that Fredrik and I were walking through a forest. The forest had fake grass! It was real, not turf, but it was laid grass, in those squares you can buy, etc.. and we came across a path. And the path led us to a helium balloon store...?! And I started working because it was peak season..... So, I was a cashier and sold helium balloons (inflated helium balloons), and I packaged them in brown paper and ribbon. (Sorta like the ribbon-workings of the insane people that work at Cervera.) But when you left the "helium balloon store" that is in a forest, you exit through glass doors and there was a very paved parking lot.

It was very strange.

And then I had another dream..
My parents were living somewhere different. It was nice and had about 5 different levels.. (Maybe a NY townhouse?!). And my parents were there, Fredrik, Leia, and I, as well. And a few of my other friends, from high school and stuff. I think Carie was there, and Jen, and Brian, too, even.

Weird.

Sneaky..

Now, that is a baby that has done something she shouldn't have... :D

You can see her frog sitting beside her. Fredrik gave her a passanger, someone that can read maps for her, he said...

Leia's teething is going full force. She chews on everything. She prefers any paper she can get her hand on. And of course things like cameras, phones, and remote controls are her objects of choice.
And the drooling is going full force as well.
We really wish that a tooth would pop out and give her a little relief for awhile. She doesn't want to chew in the front though, she wants to chew in the back of her mouth.

Okay, that is enough for today.. :P I only have a couple pages left before I am done with my 3rd chapter in book-keeping.

Sam Neill and nightmares.

Any time I watch a movie with Sam Neill, I have horrible, horrible nightmares. Last night I watched Event Horizon, and I had very bad dreams.

Usually in these dreams, Sam Neill is trying to kill me. And I have this one reoccuring dream where I am at the summer house and Sam Neill knocks on the door, and then he is chasing me throughout the dream.

I have no idea why. I like his movies, he is a good actor.
Maybe it was Event Horizon in general that gave me nightmares last night.. But I have frequent dreams that Sam Neill is trying to kill me. Something I find.. very peculiar.

Learning even more bad habits from Pappa.. :)

Happy baby...

And Fredrik fixing the new cabinet in the bathroom:




So anxious for the IKEA stuff to show up on Wednesday.
Forgot to order the extra bookshelves for the bookcases, though.. :/ Remembered after we completed the order. So that is really annoying. So we have to pick those up some time in the distant future.

Trying to hug the TV 03.

Trying to hug the TV 02.

Trying to hug the TV 01.

I found an American!!!!!

While at the store today, buying more plastic containers and a new cabinet for the bathroom downstairs, Fredrik heard a woman speaking in English. And I listened, and knew she was American. Fredrik told me I had to say 'hi' ... I mean, how many times is there going to be another American in Åmål?!

Well, I walked over and said 'hi.' :) And she is Angelica. :) She lived in Flordia and somewhere else but I don't remember where. Her father is Swedish and her mother is from the Philippines. Her father has lived in the US for a looong time. Her father moved back to Åmål and he is opening a family restaurant outside of town. She has been in Åmål for about 2 years. She has a 15 year old daughter (potential babysitter?!) and a son that is maybe 10?. And she is a widow, so it is only her and her 2 children. They live in an apartment in the middle of town.

She was so happy that I said hi. :) And we exchanged e-mails and phone numbers.
She is also studying Swedish. Her father never taught it to her, so we are going to try to get together and do things and learn Swedish together.

We are both pretty excited (she and I). :) As she hasn't made any friends in town.
So, hopefully, she and I can do plenty together and have her and her children over for dinner plenty during Spring and Summer, and even her parents, too.

Yay! :))

Leia's first love.

She wasn't anywhere near the TV when she started out, but she soon found her way across the living room and infront of the TV. I have a video of her infront of the TV. Unfortunately I wasn't able to film her migration.

Energetic baby 03.

Energetic baby 02.

Energetic baby 01.

Fast month.

February is going by with rapid speed. Maybe to make up for how long it took for January to finish?

We've lived here for almost 10 months.. :/ Doesn't seem like we've been here that long. :/ In about 8 more months, we'll have lived here as long as we lived in Nävekvarn.. :/ We have to stop moving.. :/ Although with having a house now, we are a bit more content and stuck. Which is a good thing. :) And Fredrik really likes his job.

There are a few things we miss from his old job. The unlimited amount of contacts he could have in construction is worth its weight in gold. And even though his days started really early, he still got home earlier in the evening and had ½ days on Friday, which was really nice.

He barely has 2 hours in the evening with Leia before she goes to bed. So, it is only Saturday and Sunday that he really gets to see her. But he will soon start taking off Mondays for his Pappa-leave.

I received my absentee voting ballot in the mail today! For the Ohio primary. Now I just have to decide who I want to vote for.. Clinton or Obama. Very difficult to decide. Universal health care is my main issue. :P Privatized health insurance is possibly the most evil corruption on Earth.. :T

Leia's gums have been bothering her the last week, but yesteray was really bad. I couldn't get her to sleep at all during the day, so she was very grumpy and cranky. But no matter what, she sleeps very well at night. Which we are extremely thankful for. Fredrik and I are still having sleeping issues. He is having trouble falling asleep in bed, but he is able to fall asleep in the couch. And I am falling asleep.. and I am reaching my REM cycles, as I am dreaming some really, really weird stuff.. But maybe my cycles aren't long enough or something.. :/

EHhh...
Tomorrow is Saturday. We have nothing planned for the weekend.

My books arrived at the grocery store (free shipping if we pick them up there), so Fredrik will pick those up after work. And pick up some baby oil for Leia's dry scalp.

Studying is going okay. My ECDL books are enormous, there is no way I can get through all of that in less than 4 months.. :/ We'll see.

The Swedish is easy so far, and not very much to do.
The book keeping is lots of fun, slightly challenging only with the language. It is lots of new words and phrases. Which is perfect - I get to learn more Swedish. I usually learn more from my other classes than from my Swedish classes. I finished the 2nd chapter yesterday. And I'm going to spend the weekend reviewing it. :P Fredrik has been really great at explaining phrases and concepts to me that I can't figure out on my own.

I took a cute video of Leia today. :) She had just woken up and that is when she is happiest and has the most energy. She is really loud and crazy.. :)

Another day of the sun shining and nice weather. It is nice - I can take Leia out with me for the short walk to the mailbox. I couldn't before, because I'd have to bundle her up in tons of clothes first, and that just isn't worth it. :))

The days are getting much, much longer. And the sun is much, much brighter. And of course Leia's room gets the most sun, as she has 2 windows in 2 different directions, the North-East and the South-East, so she has lots of sun in her room all day.. :/ Which is making it difficult for her to sleep, I think. So, maybe Fredrik and I can go somewhere tomorrow and try to get some black felt to put up over the windows for nap-time.

The stuff from IKEA will be here next Wednesday! The 20th! So, we are very, very happy about that. Now there is an IKEA closer (in Karlstad), so we don't have to wait a couple months for delievery like last time.

Here is what we ordered:

Another bookcase for the office room. Can never have too many bookcases. We have tons of books, and I still haven't shipped over my books from the US. Which will be timely and expensive, but it needs to be done.. :/





This will go in the enterance hallway. We were going to try to get something that looked a little older, a little more weathered. And we found something, but it was like... 15 000SEK (2000+$), and that was just a little ridiculous. So, we got this. :) We are afraid it will be a little overbearing in the hallway, but we really need the storage space, since we bought "the house with no closets."



And this is what we got to go in the living room. It will be pretty long (160cm / 5ft+). And we ordered doors for the middle shelves as well. That will go on the wall beside the fish tank, and we will put our DVDs in there, because.. we have a lot of DVDs. :))) And we can separate Leia's viewable films from my.. bloody, gory, violent films. :)) And Fredrik said we have to put on a lock on that cabinet. :))

Even though it is all from IKEA, it was still pretty expensive. But well worth it. :)

Leia has her next appointment on Tuesday. We are anxious for that! Hopefully she has gotten longer, although we are almost certain she has. And we hope she hasn't gone up too much in weight. Right now she is eating 2tsp (tsk) for lunch, of food (usually potatoes and corn), she would probably eat more, but that is all I offer right now. And a couple ounces of juice (~60mL). And then for dinner she eats about 2-3 tbsp (msk)! She LOVES her gröt. And then she has some juice as well. We hope this will help lessen her weight gain so that she can even out a little. :) And we will probably schedule her next round of immunizations.

Now she has woken up (hopefully with a poopy diaper!). More soon!

One has to get tired - It just takes so much effort to be an adorable baby.

Happy Valetine's!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Eller Alla Hjärtans Dag!

ABC

The Letter A

What is your age? - 28
What annoys you? - Social butterflies.
Do you have any allergies? - No food or medicine allergies.


The Letter B

Do you know anyone named Billy? - Yes.
When is your birthday? - Oct. 17.
Who is your best friend(s)? - Fredrik, Carie, Yamini, and Amber.


The Letter C

What's your favorite candy? - M&Ms, peanut butter cups.
When was the last time you cried? - A few days ago when Fredrik and I watched 'Sicko.'
Have you been out of the country? - Yes.


The Letter D

Do you daydream? - Too much.
What's your favorite kind of dog? - Beagle.
What day of the week is it? - Thursday.


The Letter E

How do you like your eggs? - Scrambled.
Have you ever been in the emergency room? - Too many times.
What's the easiest thing ever to do? - Ehh.. depends on a person's abilities.


The Letter F

Have you ever flown in a plane? - Yes.
Do you use fly swatters? - Only at the summer house.
Have you ever used a foghorn? - No.


The Letter G

Have you pet a goat? - Yes.
Are you a giver or a taker? - Both.
Do you like gummy candies? - Yes.


The Letter H

How are you? - Tired, busy, and stressed.
What's your height? - 5'5" (162 cm)
What color is your hair? - Brown.


The Letter I

What's your favorite ice cream? - Choc. Chip Cookie Dough, and Peanut Butter.
Have you ever ice skated? - Yes.
Have you cheated the IRS? - No.


The Letter J

What's your favorite jelly bean? - Doesn't matter.
Do you tell jokes? - Does sarcasm count?
Do you wear nice jewelry? - I keep it simple, only my wedding rings and Fredrik's necklace.


The Letter K

Do you want to kill anybody? - If I could get away with it...
Do you want to have kids? - 1 is enough.
Where did you have kindergarten? - Harris Elementary School, Amherst.


The Letter L

Are you laid back? - Too much maybe.
Do you lie? - Depends who I'm talking to.
When is the last time you sent a hand-written letter? - I sent a postcard a couple days ago to a high school classmate's daughter.


The Letter M

Ever talked in a microphone? - Yes.
Do you still watch Disney Movies? - For Leia.
Do you like mangos? - Yes.


The Letter N

Do you have a nickname? - Yes.
Whats your favorite number? - 13.
Do you prefer night over day? - Yes.


The Letter O

Are you an only child? - No.
Do you wish this was over? - It is a little long, yes.
What is the closet orange object near you? - In Leia's toybox, about 6-7 feet away.


The Letter P

What one fear are you most paranoid about? - Death.
Do you think you are pretty? - Sometimes.
Do you play any instruments? - Yes.


The Letter Q

Are you quick to judge people? - Not unless they really get on my nerves.
Do you have any quirks? - No.
What do you keep quiet about? - Depends on who I am talking to.


The Letter R.

Do you think you're always right? - Most of the time.. ;) :))
Do you watch reality TV? - Hate it.
What's a good reason to cry? - Sad or happy.



The Letter S

Are you a social person? - Yes.
what is your favorite season? - Fall.
What states have you lived in? - Ohio.


The Letter T

What time did you wake up? - 06.00.
When did you last sleep in a tent? - Don't remember, but a long time ago.
Do you like tomatoes? - Yes.


The Letter U

Do listen to Usher? - Only a couple of songs I like.
Describle the underware your wearing? White with small red hearts.
Do you have an umbrella in your car? - A couple.


The Letter V

What's the worst veggie? - Spinach.
Do you like movies with violence? - Yes.
Where do you want to go on vacation? - Russia.


The Letter W

Ever been on a waverunner? - No.
Do you wish on stars? - Used to.
Where do you work? - At home.


The Letter X

Have you ever had an x-ray? - From head to toe.
Have you watched the x-games? - Please kill me if I ever mention watching.
Do you own a xylophone? - No. :/

The Letter Y

Do you like the color yellow? - Yes.
What year were you born?: - 1979.
What did you do yesterday? - The normal: Watch after Leia, school work, clean the house up, cook, etc.. etc..


The Letter Z

Do you believe in the zodiac? - No.
Ever been to the zoo? - Yes.
Has your bank account been at zero? - No.

105 Facts About Me

1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT Ring?
- Yes.

2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
- With Fredrik, 9½ years.

3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
- Some recipe books from Farmor.

4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?
- No.

5. WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT?
- I don't do aerobics, just other stuff, like walking and biking, etc.. Been awhile since I have lifted weights, though.

6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?
- Bills, Leia, and DVDs.

7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
- Homemade bread.

8. FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
- Not really interested.

9. ONE FAVORITE SONG?
- Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen.

10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
- Åmål, Västra Götaland, Sweden.

11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED:
- Marion L. Steele.

12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER:
- Telia.

13. FAVORITE MALL STORE:
- Don't have one. But my favorite stores include: Åhléns, IKEA, DUKA, and probably some others, too.

14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD:
- Babysitter, for .. 12-13 years.

15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
- No.

16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?:
- Not any more, but I did my share in middle school.

17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED:
- BIL, Johan's.

18. FIRST FRIEND YOU'D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY:
- Yamini.

19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND:
- In December, at my baby shower.

20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT:
- Pizza hut count?

21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD:
- I've heard some big ones, but I really can't share them.

23. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS?
- Friday's.

24. CAN YOU COOK?
- Yes.

26. BEST KISSER:
- Me?! :D EHh..

27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?:
- When Fredrik and I watched Sicko, a few days ago.

28. MOST DISLIKED FOODS:
- Raw food, like sushi; weird seafood, and prolly some other stuff as well.

29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
- I don't back down.

30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
- Don't trust people.

32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?:
- No idea.

33. FAVORITE MOVIE?
- Rosemary's Baby.

34. CAN YOU SING?
- NO.

35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?
- Boys II Men, like... 15 years ago. :D I wanna go to a Metallica concert, but Fredrik doesn't want to hear all the bad new songs.. :/

36. LAST KISS?
- A little while ago from Fredrik.

37. LAST MOVIE RENTED:
- We don't rent movies.

38.ONE THING YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT:
- Keys.

39. FAVORITE vacation spot?
- Prague, Czech Rep.

43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?:
- Laptop.

44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?:
- Dana Carvey and Pablo Francisco.

45. DO YOU SMOKE?
- No.

46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
- Depends on how cold it is.

47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?:
- My hubby, and sometimes Caesar.

48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?:
- You have to want it to work.

49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?
- 3 times. Athens, Ohio; Lorain, Ohio, and somewhere in the middle of nowhere in WV.

50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?
- French toast.

51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?
- Blah.

52 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
- Scrambled.

53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
- No.

54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
- My Mom.

55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?
- Someone from Åmål's school.

56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED?
- From Fredrik.

58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?
- 4, 2 each.

59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?
- Comfy pants and a t-shirt.

60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC:
- "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover, I'm a child, I'm a mother, I'm a sinner, I'm a saint, I do not feel ashamed..."

61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?
- Smucker's grape jelly.

62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?
- Yes.

63. CAN YOU SWIM?
- Yes! Taught babies and children how to swim at our local YMCA.

64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Peanut Butter (with peanut butter cups is ideal).

65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
- Yes.

66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF:
- I was accepted to Princeton to study Law, even though I never applied, they asked me to go to school there, with 2 years scholarship.. :P

68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?:
- Hmmm.. I don't think so.. Do halloween parties count?

69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON
- Fall.

70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID?
- Last night, at the horrible movie Fredrik picked for us to watch.. :/ :)

71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING ?
- Leia woke up first time at 05.00.

72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?
- Snuggling inside with a fire, candles, and a cup of hot chocolate.

73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?
- On my way to see Fredrik from Athens to D.C., got the ticket in WV.. would have been in.. 2001.

75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?:
- a puppy, Princess.

76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?
- Pirates..? Like the ones on the ocean or the ones on the Internet?

77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND??
- Have no idea. But probably lots of school work, dishes, and laundry.

78. BIRTHDATE
- Oct 17.

79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE:
- Not sure I'll ever decide, but I still have a little time left to figure it out before I am done with Svenska B class.

85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?:
- Yes.

87. ARE YOU SMILING?
- Yes.

89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW
- My parents.

90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
- Russia and New Zealand.

92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?
- Thank God, No.

93. DOES SOMEONE HAVE A CRUSH ON YOU?:
- Not that I know of.

94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?
- Sebastian and Christian.

95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHING SUIT?
- Black and white.

96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?
- Ehh.. high school question.

97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?
- Hmm.. Last month was Jan and we were in the US, so yes, we had vacation last month.

98. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?
- 3 times.

99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER
- 3 sisters.

100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?
- No.

101. ARE YOU IN LOVE?
- Very much.

102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?
- Too many times.

103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?
- Lots of people, actually.

104. WHAT JEWELRY ARE YOU WEARING?
- Engagement ring, wedding ring, and Fredrik's necklace.

105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS SURVEY?
- Study.....

Longer days.

The bread turned out perfectly. Very yummy.

The days are finally getting much longer. If it isn't cloudy, it isn't getting dark until after 17.00. Today was a very pretty day. We have flowers blooming in the yard. Spring is definitely around the corner. Winter was pretty nonexistant, but I wouldn't mind if we didn't have any more snow.

Fredrik and I are both sleeping poorly. He is having trouble falling asleep, and the quality of my sleep is horrible. Caesar and Leia are both sleeping well, though. Leia didn't wake up until 05.00 this morning, and she ate and went back in bed and didn't start talking until 07.30.

Fredrik ordered new office furniture for work.

And today we ordered a lot of stuff from IKEA. A.. closet to put in the entrance, another bookshelf for the office, and 3 short bookcases to put in the living room, on the wall where we had the chest. And we are going to put our DVDs in there, and take them out of the bookshelves in the office room. We need the space to put books and DVDs. You can never have too many bookshelves.

Leia is eating well. She isn't so fond of potato, but she doesn't mind the corn. But of course she loves her banangröt. She eats plenty of that in the early evening. Anxious to see if she has gotten any longer. We know that she has put on weight.. :))

My back is still hurting. Yesterday was worse than today. I'm taking plenty of pain pills.

Ehh.. not too much else I don't think.. :/
More tomorrow, of course.

Bread.

I made some of Farmor's homemade bread today. It is cooling, Leia is in bed sleeping, and Fredrik could be home any time.

Not sure how he did it...

Så gott!!!