Clara Barton I am not

For the past eight days, I have been running the Pedersen Sick House.

Last Tuesday night, Steen launched this year's first "round of illness" by announcing "I think I'm going to get sick soon". He then proceeded to make himself a cup of tea with rum, which he is certain is the perfect tool for stopping any oncoming cold. I don't know much about that (today, 9 days later, he's still coughing). Thursday he spent the day in bed, an unusual move for a man who hasn't taken a sick day for at least 7 years. I figured he must have really been feeling bad, since he never even made it to his favorite spot on the couch. I just stayed away from him as much as possible -- in an effort to keep Nicholas and myself from getting sick, I decided on a policy of self-protection rather than serving him chicken soup.

When I picked the boys up on Wednesday evening, Matthew announced that he had been coughing all day, and in the car on the way home I noticed that Lucas was coughing too. By Thursday morning, they both had fevers and were coughing up a storm. They spent last Thursday and Friday at home. Both went to school Monday, though, but on Tuesday I kept Matthew home because he was still coughing and sounding very much like a seal.

All along I figured as long as Nicholas didn't catch the local Pedersen virus, we'd be ok. After all, the other guys are all much bigger and, I assume, their bodies are better prepared to fight a virus. I also thought that the breastfeeding would protect Nicholas for the most part. However, the little guy came down with his first mild fever Wednesday night so that neither he nor I slept more than 10 consecutive minutes. Last night was better, though, and today he seems quite happy.

So it seems we're all doing better. Matthew and Steen's lingering coughs are the only remnant -- good thing, too, as I'm almost out of our precious, imported cough syrup!

A Sweet Hello and a Sad Farewell

I have just realized (totally embarassing to admit) that I have yet to congratulate Michelle and Carsten on the birth of their lovely little girl. We cannot wait to meet her. In fact, Nicholas and I are quite happy that we're going to meet her soon. In a few months, we'll join Gitte on a trip to Australia!

So hello Annabelle and welcome to the world!

I haven't written earlier this week because on Monday we learned that Steen's uncle had passed away. Such news is always sad and incredibly hard to accept. I remember Papse as a quiet, happy man who once really surprised me when he and Ole spontaneously grabbed the microphones and sang at a family party. He and I shared a strong interest in reading and he supplied me with hundreds of English-language books during my years in Denmark. I always enjoyed spending time with him and Fanny. His absence is on all of our minds, and our hearts go out to Fanny, Niels-Frank, Helen and the rest of the family.

Nicholas has begun trying to grab things, although actually catching them is a matter of pure coincidence. When he does, he immediately tries to shove them in his mouth and he gets very frustrated when the toy flies past his mouth and hits the floor or his nose. His favorite toys at the moment are a little soft bear he received from his Uncle Christian (see the video) and a piece of blue silk that he loves to have waved over his head.

Matthew, Lucas and Steen have been sick this week with fevers, coughing and headaches. I've just started coughing, but I hope it doesn't get worse. It's probably caused by the fact that it's done nothing but rain here for days and days... Isn't this the country where snow should be guaranteed????

Matthew and I have begun reading for Nicholas. He seems to enjoy the entertainment. I've also been spending some time each day trying to get Nicholas used to the baby carrier. He'll allow me to carry him in it for five or ten minutes, but that's the absolute limit. Strange -- the other boys loved it, but then again, Nicholas is definitely aware of what he wants and doesn't want, and those things don't necessarily have anything in common with Matthew and Lucas!

An interesting hobby

While we were on our way to Denmark for the holidays, Nicholas learned a new trick. In fact, he learned it while he was sleeping.

Instead of sucking on his thumb or a pacifier, he has decided to suck on his own tongue. Seriously! Have a look! Try to do it yourself! It's impossible!!!!

He doesn't do it very often, although he does enjoy chewing on his tongue when he's awake.

Good continuations!

Welcome to 2008!

The boys are back in school today, and I am very grateful. Imagine -- hours and hours where they're not standing face to face screaming at each other in high-pitched, whiny voices over something that you (as a mother) cannot possibly begin to understand. A whole day where no child will chase the other down the street to get the blue sled (which has to be better than any other sled we have). An entire day in which Nicholas and I can just hang out and watch the needles fall off the Christmas tree...

Well, not entirely, as he's napping at the moment and I am (don't be shocked!) writing an entry in my little blog.

To be honest, we had a good holiday break. We spent most of it with Steen's family in Denmark. The trip down (by car) took us 10.5 hours, but Nicholas slept most of the way and only cried for a total of an hour or so. We hung out for a few days, including Christmas, with Ulla and Lars-Ole and their family (and a bunch of other family members) -- Matthew and Lucas had a great time opening their presents and we stuffed ourselves with the terrific food. Nicholas slept through the entirety of Christmas Eve present-opening... Oh well, maybe next year!

This was the first time Nicholas met his Bedstefar (Steen's dad).


We were even visited by a barefoot Santa Claus with an Ikea bag (!).

We then went to Gilleleje, where Steen's parents live, to spend a few days. Nicholas was able to visit his Oldemor (Great Grandmother) for the first time.


On December 30, he was baptized in Gilleleje church. As the priest poured the water over his head, he was in the arms of his wonderful godmother, Ulla.

He wore the same gown that Matthew and Lucas used, which my mom made out of my wedding dress. He was very well-behaved in church and made it through the entire mass without much of a fuss.

Here's Nicholas with his godmother and the official witnesses -- Inge, Uncle Christian and Uncle Jesper.


After the service, family and friends joined us at a charming place on the beach, known as the Gilleleje Badehotel, for the celebration. He found himself being held by many of our guests, including his Uncle Jesper.
On New Year's Eve, we took a ride down to Lalandia, an indoor water park where we spent New Year's with Susanne, Jesper, Christian, Gitte, Ole, Lars-Ole, Ulla, Philip, Emil and Nicoline. The fireworks were as crazy as ever. All of this was topped off by an 11-hour car ride home, during which Nicholas decided he never wanted to be in a car again. Poor thing. He cried most of the way, despite our frequent feeding and dry-diaper stops.


He's now 11 weeks old and has begun reaching for things we hold in front of them and trying to shove them into his mouth. His favorite toy is an adult hand, especially one with fingers that he can chomp on. He is slobbering a lot, which might mean that his teeth are on the way in, or it might just mean that he likes to get wet streaks on all of Steen's dress shirts.


I've been closely watching the election news coming out of the US. Having worked on Kerry's campaign, I'm very interested in how this election will go. In fact, I've sent in my absentee ballot. Regardless of your party affiliation, get out there and vote (assuming, that is, that you are a US citizen of voting age... just because my family originates from Chicago, doesn't mean we believe in Al Capone's theory on voting!).


When Swedes meet each other just after New Year (i.e. around now), they say something that I have directly translated as "good continuations". A happy little thought -- may this year be as good for you as last year was, if not better!

Holiday Cheer

Last week was St. Lucia, which brings with it girls with wreaths and candles in their hair. Both Matthew and Lucas took part in St. Lucia concerts at their school. Here's a video from Lucas's. If you look closely, you can see him walk by in a Santa suit. (Sorry about the darkness... no lights to make the candles more evident... and about the sideways video. I forget to turn my camera the right way!!! Mommy brain!)

Over the weekend, Nicholas turned two months old. Isn't he a cutie??? He took the chance to tell his big brothers that it was about time for them to decorate our Christmas tree.

Lucas thought decorating himself would be more fun. Still, Nicholas seemed to approve -- almost.

Missed meetings

Over the weekend, Nicholas discovered his hands. He spends a good deal of time watching them waver overhead. I wonder if he's going to be a biker the way he holds them outstretched in front?

I've forgotten to show Nicholas's first meeting with his Bedstemor and his Aunt Susanne and Uncle Jesper!!!! Mommy brain strikes again!

Flying in time

OK, here is my first attempt at downloading a video here. Let's see how it goes.

Congratulations to Marcela and Pancho on the arrival of their little boy!!! We can't wait to meet him!

I am continually shocked now by the passage of time and I often find myself marking it by events, growth rates and holidays rather than days. Nicholas is now seven weeks old, and in the short span of time that has passed since his birth, he has learned so much. I had forgotten what it is like to watch a newborn explore the world. This little being resonates innocence and beauty.

He definitely has his own personality, and he knows what he likes and what he doesn’t. He hates riding in the car, for example. The minute we lay him in his car seat and prepare to strap him in, he screams. At times, he puts so much effort into his screaming that he forgets to take a breath, and ends up gulping for air and then choking on the gulps. However, I’ve also learned that he likes classical Christmas music. So I plop him in the car, hop in myself, and as soon as we’re rolling I turn on the only CD I have of classical Christmas music and usually he’ll calm down.

He loves being part of Matthew and Lucas’s “getting ready for school” routine, which takes place without fail from 6 to 7 ever weekday morning. This is the best time of day for Nicholas. He laughs at the boys’ antics, which encourages them even more. He’s content and relaxed, smiling and laughing, so I love that hour of the morning too.

His rash is apparently caused by the various foods I eat. After the first visit, the nurse told me to keep from eating any and all milk products. Have you ever tried to do this? It’s nearly impossible – there’s milk or milk powder in almost everything we eat! Yesterday we were at the doctor for his two-month check-up, and now she’s removed all almonds, chocolate (which I wasn’t eating anyway because it contains MILK) and gingerbread cookies from my diet! Three weeks before Christmas!!!! Ho ho ho!!!

Matthew and Lucas are enjoying the Christmas preparations. We’ve put up all of our Christmas things except for the tree, and our house has (in keeping with tradition) been invaded by our own “tricky elf”. Every night while the boys are asleep, this little elf plays a “trick” on them. This morning he put gingerbread cookies in their boots, yesterday he rolled out a roll of toilet paper all over the kitchen floor. Quite an entertaining little man from the North!