Karlstad.

Today we had a great trip to Karlstad. :)

We first went into town and had a look around.








I've only been there once. Fredrik and I went there last summer to the movies, for our anniversary. We went to Åhlens to find Leia a thicker jacket for our trip up north. We found an adorable fleece jacket that is a bit on the larger side, so that she can wear it in the Fall.



Pappa found an adorable "Barbapappa" onesie that he REALLY wanted Leia to have, so we got that, too. :)




After some shopping in town, including a new large, rubber ball for Leia to play with from Mormor + Morfar, we went to IKEA.

Since Leia was born, everyone is just.. in awe of her. Whenever we would go anywhere, strangers, at least 2 people in every store would come up and talk to her or tell us how beautiful she is. And in Sweden.. that isn't very common.

I guess things haven't changed from when she was a "baby."

As soon as we entered IKEA, a little 5 year old boy started playing with Leia while she was sitting in the shopping cart. He was walking around with his dad and little brother, and dancing around and trying to get Leia's attention. :/ :) It was a little weird, but extremely entertaining. :/ :) He walked around with us for awhile.

Then while eating, people just sitting and staring and smiling at her and all of us, and yeah.. we find it extremely flattering, but very, very creepy at the same time.. :/ :)

And then.. While we were having some lunch in IKEA.. Leia was playing with a little.. rag that we use to wipe her mouth. She was waving it around with fury and she dropped it on the floor. A little boy, maybe 18-24 months old or something like that, who was sitting 2 tables down, walked over and picked it up and handed it to her. He was smiling at her and all that. His mother thought it was hilarious.

Then, Leia quickly started waving it around again, and she dropped it before the little boy was a few feet away. This time he picked it up and walked around her highchair, and instead of giving it to her, he stuffed the towel down in her baby-bag.. :D
At that point, everyone was laughing hysterically.. :D






On Saturday, when we went out, a little boy, couldn't have been much older than 12 months, was in a store, and his mommy was holding him.. As soon as the babies saw each other they were grinning from ear to ear. The mom brought him over, and he grabbed her hand and they held hands for awhile.. :D Leia's first boyfriend. :D

I love this..
At the restaurant inside IKEA, they have shopping cart parking lots.. :D



As you can see.. people can't even park their shopping carts between the lines.. :P


We got lots of things at IKEA. Including a much needed gate:






And a few other goodies that Fredrik and I wanted/needed for the house.


After IKEA, we went to a babystore. Mormor + Morfar bought a present they wanted to get Leia for her 1st birthday (which we will keep hidden of course until October). :)) And we bought a baby swing to hang from the tree in our front yard. :)

That is all for now. :P

We've been busy. :P
Leia is of course fighting with her sleeping here and there. She is enjoying all her new "big girl" foods she is now allowed to try. She even had a small taste of strawberry ice cream.. :))

No sign of any more teeth showing up, but she is extremely adorable with the 2 she has. :)

Today was Fredrik's last Monday off with his Pappa-leave (paternity leave). He will have vacation starting in 2 weeks. He is really going to miss having his Monday's off. Leia and I are definitely going to miss him as well.

Now it is bed time.. :P
More tomorrow!

Håverud's aquaduct.

Today we went to an aquaduct near Mellerud. And of course we have lots of pictures:








This little "shirt" that Leia is wearing is a 12m size dress that Leia got from Farmor + Farfar ... only fits as a shirt now.. :/ :)

Family picture.

I like this one. :)



Probably not the most favorite "lake-side view."

Thai food for dinner.

Mmmmm.. an orange.











Trying as hard as possible to sit in the grass without any of her skin actually touching the grass....

9 ??

Leia slept until 9 this morning.. :/ :D And the only reason she woke up is because I went in her room to make sure she was alive and that woke her up.. :/ :)) I guess she was tired. :/ :)

Leia LOVES her Teletubbies. :)

The weather hasn't been too much fun. :/ Cloudy, rainy, and cold. :/ Even though I have been grilling, we haven't been able to eat outside at all. And it is much more fun being able to eat outside.



Mormor + Morfar have been so much help with Leia. Leia has been good, but I've at least been able to take a break, go back to sleep in the mornings, have a little longer shower, have a break from baby-feeding, etc.. etc..

Last night the 4 of us played a game called Mexican Train Dominoes, and it was SO much fun, I think we played for over 3 hours.. :D

Gardening.

Yesterday we worked in the yard a lot.
Morfar really enjoys it, so he helped by trimming some bushes and putting lots of stuff in the compost piles in the back yard. Mormor helped me with weeds until Leia woke up. :)






Leia won't leave the blanket.. she is scared to death of grass.. :/ She won't sit on it or crawl on it.. but she will try to eat it.. *rolling eyes*

"All I want for Christmas..."

May pictures.

A bit late, but HERE are some pictures from May.

Pictures, pictures, pictures.

Leia and her new toy. :) An enormous flower. :)) From Mormor+Morfar, of course.



Today we went for a walk in town. :) And we got caught in a short, bad rain. :/ :) Mormor and Morfar loved the harbor. So many beautiful (expensive) boats.


Here are some pictures from our trip this past weekend:

Getting Leia ready for some fishing.

A fashion icon.




Leia feeding herself a pear.





A bit of nature does everyone some good!







The day's "prize catch." :D



Leia's first attempt at photography.






Leia's 2 teeth are showing through very well. She definitely knows how to use them. :/ :) We let her have a pear and she took off a huge bite. No more sucking and knawing.

She's getting "big girl" food now. :) She is enjoying her cottage cheese (keso) and cheerios. Going to try some yoghurt tomorrow for the first time.

She is standing more on her own, and when she doesn't pay attention she is cruising the furniture. We're still just waiting for her to start running around. :/ :)

Mormor + Morfar believe now every word that I write here about Leia. :))) About her mischievousness (bus), abilities, and intelligence. They were slightly sceptical about it, but now they are true believers.. :)