Yes, yes, I know it's been too long since I last posted. My apologies. Congratulations are in order for Marissa and Jorge on the arrival of their little boy! I can't wait to see him in a few weeks!!!!
Well, the boys and I have now been in the States for 2.5 weeks and we're happy to be celebrating the Fourth today. At the moment, we're at mom and dad's summer home... might go out on the boat today. We enjoyed the beauty of a thunderstorm last night, a rarity in Sweden. Matthew was pretty nervous about it and ended up sleeping downstairs instead of in the kid-perfect loft. As I heard another American say before, Scandinavian weather has very little "drama".
Steen will arrive Friday evening and I hope to spend a few minutes with him before I catch my flight to Vegas for my 20-year exchange student reunion. Hard to believe that it's been twenty years -- I sure don't feel 20 years older! Still, so much has changed in that period of time. So many good, amazing events in my life... marrying the man I have now known for nearly 20 years (and this summer we've been married for 12), giving birth to two beautiful boys who fill my life with joy and (sometimes!) consternation and now another child on the way, and many moves around the world... not to mention unforgetable vacations with family and friends, a variety of jobs, and so on. The list is, thankfully, endless. I am blessed.
The baby is active and the kicking, rolling and tumbling is evident from the outside if you pay enough attention. Went to the OB-GYN here the other day, who said everything is fine and all looks good. He also approved me for travel until I get home to Sweden. The only disappointing part of the visit was his statement that he didn't feel a third-trimester ultrasound is necessary, so I guess the baby's private parts will remain a secret for three more months. Steen thinks I actually know but that I'm not telling him... I wish!!!
The boys are taking swim lessons at the park district, which brings back a flood of memories of my summers as a child and teenager. They're doing quite well -- Matthew was promoted to the next level on Thursday and he was ecstatic. He's got the front crawl down and is well into backstroke. Lucas has learned to float on his back, despite his insistence in the beginning that he would never learn it, and can also do a pretty mean front crawl. Yessir, they love the water, like someone else I know.
I'll sign off with a congratulations to my homeland on its birthday!!!! In my next entry, I'll post some photos from mom's last meeting as Rotary President and from the birthday bash we held for mom and dad's 60th last weekend. Until then....
Yours in the US of A.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
The Champions
This past Saturday, heat knocked a good deal of runners out of the Stockholm marathon.
On Sunday, however, two amazing runners finished the Stockholm mini-marathon in the impressive times of 7.08 minutes for 1040 meters and 10.57 minutes for 2080 meters. Lucas ran the first race and Matthew the second.
In my eyes, both of them are champions. You should have heard the crowds cheering as they ran into the Olympic Stadium!!!!
An even greater champion that day, though, was a little girl who finished in the race before Lucas's (they ran in age groups). She ran into the stadium, the last in her age group, holding the hand of a Mini-Marathon volunteer. She ran with all her might, overcoming the crippled leg beneath her and ignoring her arm as it hung limp in front of her. She raced with a smile and crossed the finish line with grace... and then, truly, there were roars in that stadium....
On Sunday, however, two amazing runners finished the Stockholm mini-marathon in the impressive times of 7.08 minutes for 1040 meters and 10.57 minutes for 2080 meters. Lucas ran the first race and Matthew the second.
In my eyes, both of them are champions. You should have heard the crowds cheering as they ran into the Olympic Stadium!!!!
An even greater champion that day, though, was a little girl who finished in the race before Lucas's (they ran in age groups). She ran into the stadium, the last in her age group, holding the hand of a Mini-Marathon volunteer. She ran with all her might, overcoming the crippled leg beneath her and ignoring her arm as it hung limp in front of her. She raced with a smile and crossed the finish line with grace... and then, truly, there were roars in that stadium....
Friday, June 1, 2007
No "official" work for 17 months!?!
Today is my last day at the office until at least October 1, 2008. Can you believe it?
To be honest, the thought leaves me feeling a bit queasy. Yesterday, I had an upset stomach, which may have been nerves or, of course, something I ate. I have to admit that I really like the group of people I work with -- it will be strange not to see them every day. Plus, they represent almost the entirety of my network here in Sweden. On the other hand, I won't miss the late-night shifts too much. It will definitely be strange to walk out of the office knowing that I am off of work for an unbelievable amount of time.
The boys suggested at breakfast this morning that we celebrate my last day of work (we like to celebrate such changes in life, however small they are). I asked them what we should do... "rent a movie and eat candy!" was their response. Well, that's our regular Friday ritual anyway, so I told them I didn't see much celebration in that, although the suggestion made me smile. Then they said "You can first have any dinner you want!" Aren't they sweet?
A week from today, the boys will have their last day of school, and then the three of us will officially be on summer vacation!
I read on the net today that it takes about 85,000 calories to "create" a baby from start to finish. Do you think that's a good excuse for my eating another slice of cake? I'm sure I can cover that caloric requirement in a single day at the Taste of Chicago.
Steen returned from Mexico on Tuesday. He brought me a necklace. The charm is the shape of a heart, with three diamonds in it, one for each of our miracles. I burst into tears. In general, I am very emotional... I'm currently reading Wisdom of our Fathers by Tim Russet, which I got from grandpa. I don't know how many times I've found myself crying through the stories as I sit on the train.
To be honest, the thought leaves me feeling a bit queasy. Yesterday, I had an upset stomach, which may have been nerves or, of course, something I ate. I have to admit that I really like the group of people I work with -- it will be strange not to see them every day. Plus, they represent almost the entirety of my network here in Sweden. On the other hand, I won't miss the late-night shifts too much. It will definitely be strange to walk out of the office knowing that I am off of work for an unbelievable amount of time.
The boys suggested at breakfast this morning that we celebrate my last day of work (we like to celebrate such changes in life, however small they are). I asked them what we should do... "rent a movie and eat candy!" was their response. Well, that's our regular Friday ritual anyway, so I told them I didn't see much celebration in that, although the suggestion made me smile. Then they said "You can first have any dinner you want!" Aren't they sweet?
A week from today, the boys will have their last day of school, and then the three of us will officially be on summer vacation!
I read on the net today that it takes about 85,000 calories to "create" a baby from start to finish. Do you think that's a good excuse for my eating another slice of cake? I'm sure I can cover that caloric requirement in a single day at the Taste of Chicago.
Steen returned from Mexico on Tuesday. He brought me a necklace. The charm is the shape of a heart, with three diamonds in it, one for each of our miracles. I burst into tears. In general, I am very emotional... I'm currently reading Wisdom of our Fathers by Tim Russet, which I got from grandpa. I don't know how many times I've found myself crying through the stories as I sit on the train.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Babies, babies everywhere
Congratulations to Michelle and Carsten and to Marcela and Pancho, who are expecting! We wish you healthy pregnancies, healthy babies and tons of happiness.
Well, three days left of work now. It seems so unreal that I will be officially away for the office for so long. I have to say that the team I belong to now, which I joined in January 2006 is one of the best I've ever worked with -- professionally and socially.
So I'm into planning our extended summer vacation. My thoughts so far? Well, here are my hopes (in addition to really being "there" for the boys and enjoying our time together):
1. To spend tons of time with mom and dad
2. To spend tons of time with grandpa
3. To spend tons of time with Tim and Kathi
4. To take the boys (and whoever else would like to go.... grandpa? mom? dad? Tim? Kathi?) to the Museum of Science and Industry, Brookfield Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, the Children's Museum, and Six Flags Great America
5. To meet Marissa and Jorge's little boy, who will be nearly brand new when we appear on their doorstep
6. To see some of western Canada
7. To get my husband to sit still and actually relax for more than five minutes at a time
8. To spend lots of time at my parents' summer home, fishing, relaxing and making s'mores
9. To eat at Taco Bell, The Outback, Pappadeux's, and Red Robin (mom, my list could go on and on, but I have to watch the pre-baby weight... :-) )
10. For the boys to learn to swim -- properly (yes, I've already registered them for swim lessons)
I'll try to update the list on a regular basis with the hundreds of ideas that fly into my head. Any other ideas are welcome (just leave a comment).
Went to the midwife on Friday. All seems well. The baby should be around 22 cm now and approximately one pound. Amazing! The heartrate was 138, for those of you who follow such things. I'll see her again just before we leave for our vacation.
Many of you have mentioned that you are sure it's a girl. Maybe! I'm not quite sure myself -- the pregnancy seems different, but that may just be a figment of my own forgetfulness. Either way, I now know that I'm totally fine with it. When I look at my two boys, I am so proud to be their mother, and so amazed at the intelligent, bright and loving people they are. Another boy would be fine with me, but a girl would too. By the way, one of the analysts I work with has statistics that say the chance of a girl is only 25% once you already have two boys.
Lucas is in love with my tummy... he kisses it constantly and has long conversations with the baby.
Well, three days left of work now. It seems so unreal that I will be officially away for the office for so long. I have to say that the team I belong to now, which I joined in January 2006 is one of the best I've ever worked with -- professionally and socially.
So I'm into planning our extended summer vacation. My thoughts so far? Well, here are my hopes (in addition to really being "there" for the boys and enjoying our time together):
1. To spend tons of time with mom and dad
2. To spend tons of time with grandpa
3. To spend tons of time with Tim and Kathi
4. To take the boys (and whoever else would like to go.... grandpa? mom? dad? Tim? Kathi?) to the Museum of Science and Industry, Brookfield Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, the Children's Museum, and Six Flags Great America
5. To meet Marissa and Jorge's little boy, who will be nearly brand new when we appear on their doorstep
6. To see some of western Canada
7. To get my husband to sit still and actually relax for more than five minutes at a time
8. To spend lots of time at my parents' summer home, fishing, relaxing and making s'mores
9. To eat at Taco Bell, The Outback, Pappadeux's, and Red Robin (mom, my list could go on and on, but I have to watch the pre-baby weight... :-) )
10. For the boys to learn to swim -- properly (yes, I've already registered them for swim lessons)
I'll try to update the list on a regular basis with the hundreds of ideas that fly into my head. Any other ideas are welcome (just leave a comment).
Went to the midwife on Friday. All seems well. The baby should be around 22 cm now and approximately one pound. Amazing! The heartrate was 138, for those of you who follow such things. I'll see her again just before we leave for our vacation.
Many of you have mentioned that you are sure it's a girl. Maybe! I'm not quite sure myself -- the pregnancy seems different, but that may just be a figment of my own forgetfulness. Either way, I now know that I'm totally fine with it. When I look at my two boys, I am so proud to be their mother, and so amazed at the intelligent, bright and loving people they are. Another boy would be fine with me, but a girl would too. By the way, one of the analysts I work with has statistics that say the chance of a girl is only 25% once you already have two boys.
Lucas is in love with my tummy... he kisses it constantly and has long conversations with the baby.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Don't look down
We (i.e. the pregnant husband and I) just spent three lovely days without the boys... and we did it in style. This was probably our last weekend alone before the arrival of the baby.
Pretending we belonged to the noble set, we booked two nights at a 14th century castle on the Danish island of Fyn. The weather was gorgeous (mid-70's and sunny most of the time) and the castle nearly deserted with only one other couple there the entire length of our stay. We woke to fresh, homemade bread (still warm from the oven) in the mornings, along with different cheeses, ham, bacon, scrambled eggs and fresh juice. We slept soundly after days of exploring southern Fyn and delicious meals in the evening. What a wonderful weekend.
That said, even blissful weekends can pose a challenge for me. One place we visited during the weekend was Egeskov Castle. This castle has some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen -- herbal gardens, veggie gardens, flower gardens. It was amazing! There was also a maze, which we truly enjoyed trying to find our way out of.
You see, I've often thought that I would love to take part in that TV-competition called "Amazing Race". Watching the show, I've wondered what the problem could possibly be for contestants who are tasked with walking a tightrope stretched across, for example, the Grand Canyon. I can easily do that, I always thought. However, I learned very quickly on this trip that I am not a fan of wobbly, rope bridges that are perched between trees some 50 feet off the ground (no, I am not in this picture! It comes straight from their website.)
After surviving the crossing of the first one (with some little kid running behind me, jumping up and down, irritated by my incredibly slow pace), I pasted a smile on my face and started singing the ABC's.
"You're doing great, honey!"... Steen must have said it ten times as we crossed bridge after bridge. It seemed like there were 20, but there were probably no more than 5 or 6. Do you know that the ground is waaaaay too far away when you're 50 feet in the air? I wondered the entire time whether I could catch and hold the weight of my pregnant body when the bridge gave out. Yeah right!
Did you know that singing the ABC's to yourself is a very good way to ignore the mass of leafy greenage below you in such a situation? Believe me, it works! Doesn't stop the wobbly legs when you are safely back on the ground, though.
On another note altogether, went to have my hair cut yesterday. I have a great stylist who is (luckily) a New Yorker, so I can actually speak to the man. However, he took one look at me and said "Have they started building new doors so you can get through yet?"
Am I really already sooo big??? I don't think so, but we're just over halfway through. If my tummy doubles in size, I'll just lay on my stomach and the boys can push me around on a skateboard.
p.s. Had a horrible dream last night that I miscarried the baby now... The dream seemed very realistic. When I woke, I was sooooo happy to find myself still pregnant and I nearly burst into tears. A good friend of mine once told me that if you tell someone about a bad dream, it won't come true... so here I am telling all of you.
Pretending we belonged to the noble set, we booked two nights at a 14th century castle on the Danish island of Fyn. The weather was gorgeous (mid-70's and sunny most of the time) and the castle nearly deserted with only one other couple there the entire length of our stay. We woke to fresh, homemade bread (still warm from the oven) in the mornings, along with different cheeses, ham, bacon, scrambled eggs and fresh juice. We slept soundly after days of exploring southern Fyn and delicious meals in the evening. What a wonderful weekend.
That said, even blissful weekends can pose a challenge for me. One place we visited during the weekend was Egeskov Castle. This castle has some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen -- herbal gardens, veggie gardens, flower gardens. It was amazing! There was also a maze, which we truly enjoyed trying to find our way out of.
You see, I've often thought that I would love to take part in that TV-competition called "Amazing Race". Watching the show, I've wondered what the problem could possibly be for contestants who are tasked with walking a tightrope stretched across, for example, the Grand Canyon. I can easily do that, I always thought. However, I learned very quickly on this trip that I am not a fan of wobbly, rope bridges that are perched between trees some 50 feet off the ground (no, I am not in this picture! It comes straight from their website.)
After surviving the crossing of the first one (with some little kid running behind me, jumping up and down, irritated by my incredibly slow pace), I pasted a smile on my face and started singing the ABC's.
"You're doing great, honey!"... Steen must have said it ten times as we crossed bridge after bridge. It seemed like there were 20, but there were probably no more than 5 or 6. Do you know that the ground is waaaaay too far away when you're 50 feet in the air? I wondered the entire time whether I could catch and hold the weight of my pregnant body when the bridge gave out. Yeah right!
Did you know that singing the ABC's to yourself is a very good way to ignore the mass of leafy greenage below you in such a situation? Believe me, it works! Doesn't stop the wobbly legs when you are safely back on the ground, though.
On another note altogether, went to have my hair cut yesterday. I have a great stylist who is (luckily) a New Yorker, so I can actually speak to the man. However, he took one look at me and said "Have they started building new doors so you can get through yet?"
Am I really already sooo big??? I don't think so, but we're just over halfway through. If my tummy doubles in size, I'll just lay on my stomach and the boys can push me around on a skateboard.
p.s. Had a horrible dream last night that I miscarried the baby now... The dream seemed very realistic. When I woke, I was sooooo happy to find myself still pregnant and I nearly burst into tears. A good friend of mine once told me that if you tell someone about a bad dream, it won't come true... so here I am telling all of you.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Vroom Vroom!
Yesterday I picked the boys up early from school, as in right after classes ended so they didn't have to go to the afterschool program.
Zooming in our fast, ultimately cool dark blue Volkswagen Golf down the highway on our way home, we pass (how do you pass a car like that??!!!!) a little red, tiny sports car. I mean tiny! Who would drive a car like that in Sweden? After all, if the owners are lucky, they can use it 4 months a year when the ground isn't covered in a layer of snow 10 inches thick! Who needs a car like that -- a Ferrari to be exact? Still, even I am struck with wonder at the beauty of the vehicle.
Immediately, the boys voice to their adoration for that little red car. "Mom! Mom! Look at that race car! Isn't it cool?!" "Can we have one????"
"Sure," I reply, "they only cost 1,000,000 Swedish kroner!"
The boys don't catch the joke. "Really??? We can get one! All RIGHT! Make sure it's yellow!"
I guess for now they'll have to "settle" for their grandpa's ultra-hip Corvette, though. Even now, over a month before we are due to visit the home of the cool Corvette, there are discussions of grandpa's "race car".
Zooming in our fast, ultimately cool dark blue Volkswagen Golf down the highway on our way home, we pass (how do you pass a car like that??!!!!) a little red, tiny sports car. I mean tiny! Who would drive a car like that in Sweden? After all, if the owners are lucky, they can use it 4 months a year when the ground isn't covered in a layer of snow 10 inches thick! Who needs a car like that -- a Ferrari to be exact? Still, even I am struck with wonder at the beauty of the vehicle.
Immediately, the boys voice to their adoration for that little red car. "Mom! Mom! Look at that race car! Isn't it cool?!" "Can we have one????"
"Sure," I reply, "they only cost 1,000,000 Swedish kroner!"
The boys don't catch the joke. "Really??? We can get one! All RIGHT! Make sure it's yellow!"
I guess for now they'll have to "settle" for their grandpa's ultra-hip Corvette, though. Even now, over a month before we are due to visit the home of the cool Corvette, there are discussions of grandpa's "race car".
Friday, May 4, 2007
And the official date is...
The news:
Woman feels first signs of life
On Wednesday, April 25, Steen and I went to see Wild Hogs, a movie about a group of middle-age men who take a somewhat wild motorcycle trip across part of the US. It was a fun flick, didn't require much thinking, and I guess that was the reason the baby decided it was the perfect time to introduce itself in person. Kick! Kick! Flutter, flutter. I was a bit unsure of whether that's what it really was, but since then, the kicks have become more pronounced and noticeable nearly every day. Such an AMAZING feeling!
That said, our little one was decidedly stubborn in some respects during the May 2 ultrasound -- the last scheduled ultrasound of this pregnancy assuming all continues to go well. We were happy to again have the chance to see the little miracle and were relieved to learn that everything looks fine. We saw the three parts of the brain, four chambers of the heart, two arms, two legs, two tiny feet.
We had heard that the ultrasound technicians here are usually reluctant to tell parents the sex of the baby and we had therefore not expected to find out. However, as soon as I laid down on the examination table, the technician took a look at my bump and said:
That's a typical 'girl' belly!
She then asked us how old our children are and their sexes. I have to give her credit -- during the ultrasound, she did everything she could to get the little one to cooperate, but he or she is already determined to keep some things a secret. Throughout the exam, the baby kept his or her knees drawn up under the body -- a very effective defense if you don't want some nosy parents and a technician looking at your very private parts. In the meantime, he or she proceeded to kick me and bounce around as usual.
So... we don't know the baby's sex. We do know that the baby appears to be healthy, which is what is really important.
And we know the official due date, which is October 1. Mark your calendars! Book your tickets!
In the meantime, congratulations to Shawn and Jeff on the arrival of their beautiful little girl. We're soooo very happy for you!!!!
Woman feels first signs of life
On Wednesday, April 25, Steen and I went to see Wild Hogs, a movie about a group of middle-age men who take a somewhat wild motorcycle trip across part of the US. It was a fun flick, didn't require much thinking, and I guess that was the reason the baby decided it was the perfect time to introduce itself in person. Kick! Kick! Flutter, flutter. I was a bit unsure of whether that's what it really was, but since then, the kicks have become more pronounced and noticeable nearly every day. Such an AMAZING feeling!
That said, our little one was decidedly stubborn in some respects during the May 2 ultrasound -- the last scheduled ultrasound of this pregnancy assuming all continues to go well. We were happy to again have the chance to see the little miracle and were relieved to learn that everything looks fine. We saw the three parts of the brain, four chambers of the heart, two arms, two legs, two tiny feet.
We had heard that the ultrasound technicians here are usually reluctant to tell parents the sex of the baby and we had therefore not expected to find out. However, as soon as I laid down on the examination table, the technician took a look at my bump and said:
That's a typical 'girl' belly!
She then asked us how old our children are and their sexes. I have to give her credit -- during the ultrasound, she did everything she could to get the little one to cooperate, but he or she is already determined to keep some things a secret. Throughout the exam, the baby kept his or her knees drawn up under the body -- a very effective defense if you don't want some nosy parents and a technician looking at your very private parts. In the meantime, he or she proceeded to kick me and bounce around as usual.
So... we don't know the baby's sex. We do know that the baby appears to be healthy, which is what is really important.
And we know the official due date, which is October 1. Mark your calendars! Book your tickets!
In the meantime, congratulations to Shawn and Jeff on the arrival of their beautiful little girl. We're soooo very happy for you!!!!
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