Teething.

We think Leia might be having teething issues.. :/

She has been irritable during the day. (First time all week.) She is slightly warm to touch, she has been refusing food (can get her to eat if she falls asleep), she is knawing on her hand like mad (her fingers are red and raw), and she hasn't stayed asleep all day. She hasn't wanted to play or sit by herself or anything.. :/

It has to be teething.
Lots of Pediatricians in the US try to say that there aren't any symptoms of teething, but there are many that say there are. My old dentist (that we visited in the US), said that there are definite symptoms.

We have some gel that we can rub on her gums to help numb anything if it gets really bad for her, but you aren't supposed to use it until they are 4 months or older (Baby Oragel). So we are holding off with that. We might ask the BVC next time we are there, though, if it is okay to give it earlier (see what they have to say). On the box it says to ask a doctor if the baby is under 4 months, before using it. (But if the baby is teething early, then they can recommend usage.) But she'll probably have NO idea what it is of course, and say to just do whatever.

Fredrik and I are preparing for a bad night tonight.. :/ :)) Since she hasn't really napped today, and she still has lots of boogers in her nose, so she is having trouble breathing as well.. :) We might have to take a shift each, and hold her during the night, so that she will stay asleep. And then hope for a better day tomorrow. :)

We tried our hardest to clean the house up today. We at least took down our inner Christmas lights that we have in the windows. And we have gone through a few things, but we didn't accomplish nearly what we wanted to. We could have gotten more done, but today was a fussy day with Leia. (Which we weren't expecting at all.)

So, here's for a better day tomorrow! And an okay night tonight! :) And hope that her gums feel better tomorrow. :)

(Fredrik just put her in bed and he said she was completely out of it! So, let's hope our little Princess can have a good nights sleep.) :)

15 boy traits and 11 girl traits

your boy side:be honest.

[x] You love hoodies.
[x] You love jeans.
[x] Dogs are better than cats.
[ ] Its hilarious when people get hurt.
[X] You've played with/against boys on a team.
[ ] Shopping is torture.
[X] Sad movies suck.
[ ] You own/had an X-Box.
[X] Played with Hotwheel cars as a kid.
[ ] At some point in time you wanted to be a firefighter.
[x] You own/had a DS, PS2 or Sega.
[ ] You used to watch Power Rangers.
[X] You watch sports on TV.
[X] Gory movies are cool.
[ ] You go to your dad for advice.
[X] You own like a trillion baseball caps.
[X] You like going to high school football games.
[x] You used to/do collect baseball cards.
[ ] Baggy pants are cool to wear.
[ ] Its kinda weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people.
[ ] Green, black, red, or silver are one of your favorite colors.
[x] You love to go crazy and not care what people think.
[x] Sports are fun
[ ] Talk with food in your mouth.
[X] Sleep with your socks on at night.
[ ] Burp loudly at inappropriate times.

TOTAL: 15

Your Girl Side:

[ ] You wear lip gloss
[x] You love to shop.
[ ] You wear/worn eyeliner.
[x] You wear the color pink
[x] Go to your mom for advice.
[ ] You consider cheerleading a sport.
[ ] You hate wearing the color black.
[ ] You like hanging out at the mall.
[x] You like getting manicures and/or pedicures
[x] You like wearing jewelry.
[ ] Skirts are a big part of your wardrobe.
[x] Shopping is one of your favorite hobbies.
[ ] You dont like the movie Star Wars.
[ ] Used to be/are in gymnastics/dance
[ ] It takes you around/ more than one hour to shower, and get dressed
[ ] You smile a lot more than you should.
[x] You have/ more than 10 pairs of shoes
[x] You care about what you look like.
[ ] You like wearing dresses when you can.
[x] You wear body spray/perfume/cologne.
[x] You love going to the movies.
[x] Used to play with dolls as little kid.
[ ] Like putting make-up on someone else for the joy/joke of it.
[ ] Like being the star of everything.

TOTAL: 11

repost this as i have _ boy traits and _ girl traits

Longest Survey Ever.

+ known as: Hillary.
+ haircolor: Brown.
+ eyecolor: Green.

SECTION 2 - HAVE YOU EVER..
+ fallen off the bed? Yes.
+ broken someone elses heart? Yes.
+ had your heart broken? Yes.
+ had a dream come true? Yes.

SECTION 3- DO YOU..
+ brush your teeth? Yes. (What kind of question is that?!) :/ :)
+ have any piercings? Yes.
+ drive? Yes.
+ do u have a cell phone? Yes.

SECTION 4 - PERSONAL..
+ what do you want to be when you grow up: English teacher.
+ what comes first in your life? Fredrik and Leia (in that order).
+ do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? Married.

SECTION 5- FAVORITES..
+ movie: Rosemary's Baby.
+ band: Metallica.
+ food: Mexican.
+ Color: Blues.
+ like to walk in the rain?: Yes.
+ sleep on your side, stomach or back? Stomach.
+ have the falling dream? Yes.

10- THIS OR THAT..
+ pierced nose or tongue? Never.
+ BET or MTV? Neither. Comedy Central.
+ 7th heaven or dawsons creek? Neither. SouthPark.
+ chocolate or flowers? Flowers.
+ stay up late or sleep in? Stay up late.
+ hot or cold? Warm.
+ sun or moon? Sun.
+ left or right? Right.
+ 10 acquaintances or one best friend? One good friend is enough. I don't like social butterflies.
+ mustard or ketchup? Depends on what I'm eating. :P
+ spring or fall? Fall.
+ happy or sad? Happy.
+ wonder or amazement? Amazement.
+ mexican or italian food? Mexican.

SECTION 11: FIRSTS..
+ first screen name: Homba13.
+ first pet: Birds.
+ first piercing/tattoo: Ears, and no tattoo, yet.

SECTION 12: LASTS..
+ last time showered: This morning.
+ last item bought: Stuff on the airplane on the flight home.
+ last annoyance: Leia waking up too early from her naps all day long today.
+ last website visited: Facebook.
+ last words you said: "...nails."

SECTION 13: CURRENT..
+ current mood: Very tired.
+ current food: Lemonheads.
+ current hair: Long, brown, straight or curly.
+ current hate: unable to share that information at this time. :P

MARK THE THINGS THAT APPLY TO YOU : X'S..

[ ] I am 5 feet or shorter.

[X] I think I'm ugly sometimes

[X] I wish my hair was a different color.

[ ] I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.

[ ] I have a tattoo.

[X] I have/I've had braces.

[X] I wear glasses/contacts.

[ ] I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.

[X] I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.

[X] I have more than 2 piercings. (I have 5.)

[ ] I have/had piercings in places besides my ears.

[ ] I have freckles.

[ ] I've run away from home for 3 minutes or more.

[ ] I've been kicked out of the house.

[ ] I have a sibling less than one year old.

[X] I want to have kids someday.

[X] I've had children.

[X] I'm in school. (On break...)

[ ] I have a job.

[X] I always do my homework.

[X] I've missed more than a week of school.

[ ] Ive been on the Honor Roll within the last 2 years. (No such thing in Sweden.)

[ ] I failed more than 1 class last year. (Some of these seem a bit high-schoolish.)

[ ] I've stolen something from my job.

[ ] I've been fired.

[ ] I've slipped out a "lol" in a spoken conversation.

[X] Disney movies still make me cry.

[X] I peed from laughing.

[X] I've snorted while laughing.

[X] I've laughed so hard I've cried.

[X] Ive glued my hand to something.

[X] I've laughed til some kind of beverage came out of my nose.

[ ] Ive had my pants rip/drop in public.


Health
[X] I've gotten stitches.
[ ] I've had more than 2 broken bones.
[X] I've had my tonsils removed.
[x] I've sat in a doctors office with a friend.
[X] Ive had my wisdom teeth removed.
[X] I had a serious surgery
[X] I've had chicken pox.

Traveling

[x] I've driven over 200 miles in one day.
[x] I've been on a plane.
[X] I've been to Canada.
[x] I've been to Disneyworld, Orlando
[ ] I've been to Mexico.
[X] I've been to Niagara Falls.
[ ] I've been to Japan.
[ ] I've Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
[X] I've been to Europe.
[ ] I've been to Africa.
[ ] I've been to the Bahamas.

Experiences

[x] I've gotten lost in my city.
[x] Ive seen a shooting star.
[x] I've wished on a shooting star.
[X] Ive seen a meteor shower.
[x] I've gone out in public in my pajamas.
[X] I've pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
[ ] I've kicked a guy where it hurts
[X] I've been to a casino.
[ ] I've been skydiving.
[X] I've gone skinny dipping.
[ ] I've drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
[ ] I've crashed a car.
[X] I've been skiing.
[x] I've been in a play.
[x] I've caught a snowflake on my tongue.
[ ] I've seen the Northern Lights.
[X] I've sat on a roof top at night.
[ ] I've played chicken.
[x] I've played a prank on someone.
[x] I've ridden in a taxi.
[X] I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[ ] I've eaten Sushi.
[ ] I've been snowboarding.

Honesty/Crime

[ ] I have lied to my parents about where I am.
[X] I am keeping a secret from the world.
[X] I've cheated while playing a game.
[X] I've cheated on a test.
[ ] I've run a red light.
[ ] I've been suspended from school.

Death and Suicide

[X] I'm afraid of dying.
[x] I hate funerals.
[X] I've seen someone/somethng dying.
[x] Someone close to me has committed suicide.
[ ] I've written a eulogy for myself.
[ ] Suicide seems the only way out
[ ] I've thought about suicide
[ ] I've attempted suicide

Random

[ ] I can sing well.
[ ] I've stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
[ ] I open up easily to others. (Yes and No, Depends on who..)
[x] I watch the news.
[ ] I don't kill bugs.
[X] I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for the sake of being able to rhyme.
[ ] I curse regularly.
[ ] I sing in the shower.
[ ] I am a morning person.
[X] I paid for my cell phone ring tone.
[X] I'm a snob about grammar.
[ ] I am a sports fanatic.
[X] I twirl my hair.
[x] I've copied more than 20 CD's in a day.
[x] I bake well.
[X] My favorite color is either white, green, yellow, pink, red or blue.
[ ] I would wear pajamas to school.
[ ] I like Martha Stewart.
[x] I laugh at my own jokes.
[ ] I eat a lot of fast food.
[ ] I believe in ghosts.
[X] I am online 24/7 even with an away message.
[X] I've not turned anything in and still got an A in a certain class.
[X] I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
[x] I am ticklish.
[ ] I love white chocolate.
[ ] I bite my nails.
[x] I play video games.
[x] I'm good at remembering faces.
[x] I'm good at remembering names.
[x] I'm good at remembering dates.
[ ]I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life


WOULD YOU RATHER..

1. Be serious or be funny? Funny.
2. Drink whole or skim milk? Skim.
3. Die in a fire or drown? Drown.
4. Spend time with your parents or enemies? Parents.

DO YOU PREFER..

1. Do you prefer gray or black? Black.
2. Lust or love? Both.
3. Empty or whole? Whole.

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY..

1. Do you like anyone? Yes.
2. Do you smoke? No.
3. Do you steal? No.
4. Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes.
5. Do you fall for the wrong guy/girl? It has happened.

Bingo.

It isn't jet lag.. :/ It is stress.
I realized that after I was alseep for 5 minutes before I got up with Leia.

We had our routine again last night. :) Nothing special with it. I changed her clothes and she had her tummy time while I straightened her room up some. And then we read Green Eggs and Ham. :) She liked that one. But she doesn't seem to like Puss in Boots. Everytime I read it, she starts crying... :D Maybe I just always read it at the wrong time. I'll have to start out with that one tonight. :))

She slept for about 45 minutes last night before she woke up.. :/ :) She was having trouble breathing because of her stuffed-up nose. We give her saline drops, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. She hates getting them (who wants salt water put up their nose?!), so we didn't want to do it last night, because then she'd never go back to sleep. But Pappa got some boogers out of her nose... :) And then she laid in bed and talked some until she fell asleep on her own.

Then she woke up at 01.00, and I fed her and she very easily went back to sleep. And I crawled in bed and finally fell asleep. She woke up at 05.30, which isn't too bad.

And she is in bed sleeping now. :)
She slept for about 3 hours yesterday. And then she slept a little in her vibrating chair yesterday in the early evening.

Pappa is on his way to the store now, to pick up some much needed groceries.

I got a paper in the mail to go to a baby massage group that the BVC has. I'm interested, and it is only 3 sessions. It starts next Tuesday. Each session is an hour. The midwife and BVC nurse really wanna helps us make friends, and she sent the paper to the house. I appreciate it greatly, that they are trying to help, I just don't know if I am up to it right now. :/ It is such a long walk there. And I know how to do the baby massage any ways.. :/

But I did get a paper from the Swedish Church and they have a Baby Café during the week. Different times depending on how old the baby is. And I have thought about going to that. There is a time for singing and playing, or just chit-chatting. That I would consider more. That might be a better place to meet some other moms. And it is just right down the street.

So, we'll see.. :/ :)

Old picture of Fredrik.

A picture of Fredrik at one of his computer-nerd get-togethers.. :))
From '97, I think?
Of course he is the one in the right hand corner. :)

Leia's first flight.

Leia's first flight.

The weekend.

It is FINALLY the weekend! We'll have Pappa home with us. :))

Yesterday Fredrik came home a few hours early from work, to "work from home." :/ :)) He told me this morning that he will probably come home early today, too, to "work from home." :/ :) Luckily, his boss encourages him to work from home. He knows that people want to be home. His boss is young, also with young children, so that helps a lot.

His office works longer shifts during the Winter months, because it is so nasty outside. And then during the summer, they work shorter shifts, so that people can go home earlier and enjoy the wonderful Swedish summer.

Leia woke up almost at midnight last night. And she ate well, but she didn't want to sleep. I put her in bed and she started talking.. :/ :) And laughing and playing. So, I decided that since I couldn't sleep, I would take her downstairs with me. I put her in her baby gym for a few minutes, and I took out the sofa bed. And then she and I got in bed, and we both fell asleep around 01.00, and we slept until Leia woke up at 06.00. :) So, I got some sleep last night. Didn't fall asleep when I wanted to, but at least a little earlier.

For some reason, I thought I would fall asleep if I slept with her. And it worked! She would have fallen asleep if I had left her in her bed. She does that every now and then, when she is wide awake, but if you leave her in bed with something to play with, she will eventually start to rub her eyes and fall asleep. (Which is heaven, to not have to keep her occupied during the middle of the night like that.) But I kept her with me selfishly.. :)

So she slept from 19-00.00 and then from 01.00-06.00. About 10 hours total then. Not bad. :)

And she doesn't mind co-sleeping now. She HATED it when she was born and her first couple of months. But now she really likes it. Right before she fell asleep, she was looking out the window at some lights, and she turned her head to me and smiled and closed her eyes and fell asleep.... :) AHhh... :)))

I put her in her baby gym after she ate at 06.00 and Pappa got up for work at that time, too. And I napped some more until he left. And then when he left, she was still fine and wanting to play, so she played in her baby gym and I napped some more.

Leia has been sleeping in her crib now for the last 2 hours or so.. :) It seems to work better to let her decide when she wants to nap.. :/ If I put her down for a nap, she sleeps so-so and not very long. But when she decides she wants to sleep (if she wants to sleep), then it always works out better.

Mormor and Morfar can't get over how well behaved Leia is, and how easy she is to take care of. :) (And they've taken care of plenty of children during the years. They even now babysit a little boy (1 year old) one day a week.) Which isn't the baby we had for her first 6 weeks.. :/ :) She is such a happy baby and so easy-going. :) She only whines if she is hungry. Not even if she is tired. If she is tired, she'll just fall asleep, no matter where she is. :)

And no worries, I'm taking my iron tablet.. :P

The breastfeeding has completely stopped, btw.. :/ Leia just eats too much. When I told the midwife how much she eats, she completely understood why we have to use formula (modersmjölkersättning.. did I spell that right?!). I am a bit sad about it, and feel bad that she isn't getting it, since it is so good for her. I was hoping to breastfeed between 6-9 months or so, but some times it doesn't work like you want it. She received 2 months worth, which is better than nothing at least. I would pump, but I don't have the time. And with us being sick and not sleeping, my production is completely gone now.

And we are anxiously awaiting to start her on solids. I really wanna give her some kind of baby-oatmeal. She really needs the bulk food. I think that is the only way she is going to sleep through the night. She wakes up so incredibly hungry during the night.

She can easily eat 7 ounces (210 ml) and then 2 hours later eat another 5 ozs (150 ml). She easily goes through at least 1 liter a day (1/3 of a gallon), which is more what a 4 month old should be eating. But I think we can now start to give her the next step-up in formula, which hopefully will give her more bulk, or something at least.. :/ :)

Who knows, maybe what she is eating is normal, maybe it is.. I've never daily fed a 3 month old before. But the midwife thought it was a lot at least.

Blah blah blah... :)

Fredrik is still tired all the time.. He has no energy at all.. :/ I told him it will take awhile for him to get that back. I feel better today after getting some sleep last night. I could easily sleep now, which annoys me that I have so much trouble falling asleep at bed time.. :/

I'm sure I'm forgetting to mention something, I always do.. :P
More later..

I'm all growed up now survey

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids?
Have you ever kissed someone?
Missed someone?
Told someone you loved them?
Drank alcohol?
Changed your own socks?

Time to show your friends you are actually over the age of 12 and don't base your life off of study hall.

50 questions for the people who are a little older.



1. What bill do you hate paying most?
- Annoying to pay: TV tax. Hate to pay: House payment.

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
- Before Leia was born, during the summer, Fredrik and I went to a very nice restaurant by the water in town here.

3. Do you regret losing your virginity to who you lost it to?
- No.

4. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be?
- Probably change my major at University.

Where is number 5?
who didnt make a num 5?

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
- Sleeping. Travelling. Being somewhere warm. :)

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
- Lots of things. Most of all: Policewoman or a nurse.

8. How many colleges did you attend?
- Two. Ohio University in Athens. And during the summers I attended a local college near my parents' house so that I could graduate faster.

9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
- I grabbed it out of the unpacked suitcase laying in the hallway upstairs. One less thing to unpack now!

10. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
- Annoyed when Americans complain about gas prices when it is 3 times cheaper than in Sweden. (3$ a gallon in the US, 9$ a gallon in Sweden.)

11. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you where would it be and who would you take?
- Fredrik and a permanent move to Prague.

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
- Leia was my alarm. :) And my first thought was warming milk as quickly as possible so I could go back to sleep. :))

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
- I hope that I can fall asleep (jet lag).

14. Favorite style of underwear?
- Ones that fit.

16. What errand/chore do you despise?
- I love to cook, I am an organization freak (although you can't tell by the way the house looks now), so I love to clean and straighten the house.. a chore I hate..? Ummm.. I like mowing the lawn.. Maybe: Taking out the trash.

17. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer?
- If I could find a place to volunteer now, I would (if it was possible with Leia, etc..).

18. Get up early or sleep in?
- Get up early.

19. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
- Too many to name.

20. FavoritE THING TO DO AT NITE WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX??
- This is a family show. ;)

21. Have you found love yet?
- I would think so. :)

22. When did you first start feeling old?
- When I saw teens at the mall, and realized I was 10 years older than them.. :/

23. Favorite 80's movie?
- Impossible to choose.

24. Your favorite lunch meat?
- Turkey.

25. What do you get every time you go into Costco?
- I can't go to Costco. But when we are in the States and go to Sam's we always stock up on bathroom stuff (toothpaste, shampoo, tooth brushes, etc.. etc..)

26. Beach or lake?
- Both?

WHERES 27 DUDE?
27??

28. Do you own property?
- Yes.

30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
- It wouldn't be a secret any more if I told! Some that I can share: I Spit On Your Grave, Last House on Dead End Street, Guinea Pig, and the Ilsa movies.

31. What's your drink?
- Water, hot chocolate, and some other stuff, too.

32. Cowboys or Indians?
- Cowboys.

33. Cops or Robbers?
- Both.

34. Who from high school would you like to run in to?
- The preppy, popular, annoying people that got fat, bald and ugly.. :))

35. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
- I don't use the car.

36. Norm or Cliff?
- Huh?

37. 'The Cosby Show' or 'The Simpsons?
- The Simpsons.

38. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
- I don't think there have been mistakes.. just things out of our control.

39. Favorite type of chocolate?
- Hot chocolate.

40. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
- Christian Bale. If he is busy, than Miranda Otto (my girlfriend).

41. Indoors or Outdoors?
- Outdoors.

42. Have you ever crashed a car or truck?
- No.

43. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its actual purpose?
- No.

44. Last book you read for real?
- Bram Stoker's Dracula. (While I was pregnant.)

45. Do you have a teddy bear?
- Several.

46. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
- On an airplane, over the Atlantic.

47. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
- Napa Valley.

48. Do you go to church?
- No.

49. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
- Relationship change is not an option.. :/ :) And I am unemployed, so the answer is a no-brainer.

50. Just how OLD are you?
- 28.

Storage.

The bottom one is clothes for 12 months+ and the top one is 6-12 months. :) And we have another one to put clothes that she has already grown out of. She is growing out of her clothes like mad.. :/ And she already fits into some of her size 68 clothes from Sweden (6 month size) and some 6-9 month sizes from the US.





Caesar and Leia getting to know each other... :))





Right now she is IN bed.. :)
We were going to feed her later, around 20.00 or so, thinking she would want to go to bed then. We had bath time at 18.00 and tummy time and book time. And then she started getting really, really cranky. Her I-want-a-lot-of-food-right-now cranky. :/ :) So, we gave her her large night feeding and she was out of it. And she stayed asleep even when I put her in bed, and she has been asleep for almost an hour now. :) She might wake up at 23.00 but that is okay. :) I would rather she go to bed at her right time, and then we eventually work her up to sleeping longer. :) That way Fredrik and I can have a few minutes in the evening before going to bed. Which is something that we have really missed this last week.

But, now it is a little relaxation time and then bed time for Pappa and I. He definitely won't have trouble falling asleep. I just hope that I can sleep some, too.. :/ I'm thinking about stealing one of his pain pills that he got from the US.. with codeine .. :D That would might put me to sleep.. :/ :))

Not too far from the truth...